Igbo a defeated race, shameful complicit – IPOB

In a statement issued by an activist and social critic, Ikechukwu Nnaji, and signed by the Publicity Secretary of the IPOB, Emma Powerful, the group said it was the biggest shame on the Igbo race to be silent over the disappearance of Kanu. The pro-Biafra agitators pointed out that it does not matter from which perspective one has judged the matter, as Kanu was a “bold, innocent chap who was tagged a terrorist, was arrested, refused bail against court injunctions, later released on disagreeable grounds, and finally kidnapped by the same government (perhaps killed like his dog and immediate followers).”The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused the Igbos, especially the elites, of abandoning its founder, Nnamdi Kanu, describing their action as a big shame.It added that the Nigerian government would never have spoken of restructuring if not for Kanu, adding that the Federal Government’s “efforts had been to crush Kanu from time.” According to IPOB, the Igbo race has always proven to be the greatest threat to their own progress as a people, insisting that only Nnamdi Kanu understood that the current Nigerian structure would never guarantee the Igbo their place in the country. It noted that the Igbo’s “South East is the only geopolitical zone out of the six with just five states out of 36, 15 senatorial slots out of 109, and 43 seats out of 360 federal constituencies.”The statement added, “We the Igbo must demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government. He represents the new and most potent Igbo front to actualise and guarantee our stake and demand for our fair share as one of the three major ethnic components of Nigeria. “And if he is dead as every evidence points, then we will have to wait another century for another of his kind to be born. Forgetting Kanu means throwing a hundred years behind our quest for self-determination as Ndigbo. “Nnamdi Kanu must be found. He must not be forgotten like a dead chicken. At least, the Igbo (his own brothers) should not.“Until then, Ndigbo remain a defeated race, shamefully complicit in their own annihilation agenda.”

IPOB : MASSOB blows hot over Innoson, accuses Nigerian Government of crippling Igbo businessmen

In a statement by MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, the group condemned what it called incessant, increasing pressure and attack on Chief Chukwuma and his company by the Federal Government using the EFCC. The group claimed that the Federal Government wants to stifle the economic prowess of Ndigbo and impose an economic and industrial monopoly in the country.The statement added, “MASSOB view these consciously systemic and intimidating actions of security agents as a strategic grand plan to stifle the economic prowess of Ndigbo. We say no to economic and industrial monopoly in Nigeria.The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has provided reasons the popular Igbo motor manufacturer, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his firm, Innoson Group of companies, are being continuously harassed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The pro-Biafra group said that the harassment was a confirmation of an agenda by the Federal Government to frustrate Ndigbo out of business in Nigeria. MASSOB said the intimidation and harassment of Igbo sons and daughters justified its self determination struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra.“This kind of ill treatment against Igbo business men and industrialists is another justification and open evidence of vindication of our self determination struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra. “MASSOB also wishes to remind the people of Biafra that since after the Nigeria Biafra Civil War ended, Nigeria state have been devising both secretive and open means in frustrating the individual economy of the people of Biafra which resulted in frustrating Chief Eric Umeofia, Erisco Foods Limited out of Nigeria.“We want to warn that Ndigbo will never allow any coerced or envious subjection on Innoson Group of Companies or its proprietor, Chief Innocent Chukwuma to any kind of bank sponsored intimidation, harassment and ill treatment aimed at pulling him down or frustrating him out of business.” MASSOB recalled that in recent past, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Ibeto group, was also frustrated out of business while Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Capital Oil and Gas was consistently harassed in an attempt to be pushed out of business using the Department of State Services DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. It said “now, they are after Chief Innocent Chukwuma, of Innoson Group of Companies and a popular Bank that Igbo business men helped to make what is it today is being used against the business man who grew them in Nnewi.”MASSOB urged the EFCC, and a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, not serve as tools for what it described as “the greedy and jealous business competitors with Innoson Group, to achieve their selfish aims.” “MASSOB leadership and members condemn the increased and incessant pressures and attack of Chief Innocent Chukwuma, his company, Innoson Group of Companies. “We want to warn that Ndigbo will never allow any coerced or envious subjection of Chief Chukwuma and his company to any kind of bank sponsored intimidation, harassment and ill treatment aimed at pulling him down or frustrating him out of business. “We do not want to believe that the federal government is using Guarantee Trust Bank Plc as a cover up with the instruments of EFCC to Intimidate him out of business. More so, when some foreign motor companies seem to be uncomfortable with his business feat.“The court’s decision declaring Chief Innocent Chukwuma wanted is in bad fate, it is unacceptable to Ndigbo. The judge must not impose the desires of the enemies of economical and technological developments in Nigeria against Chief Chukwuma who they see as threat because of his recent vehicle manufacturing exploits.“MASSOB is convinced that the ordeal of Chief Chukuwma in the hands of EFCC and Guaranty Trust Bank is because of acute and unrepentant jealousy against Ndigbo, but we want to make it clear that the more the oppressors of Ndigbo vent their frustration and envy on us, the more Ndigbo are developing more technological feat. “The likes of Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his company are the pride of other African countries and developing nations. Ndigbo and unbiased citizens must jealously protect him and Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company.” “We in MASSOB wish to declare that attack on Chief Chukwuma and his company is an attack against Ndigbo. We shall never tolerate or keep silence in the face of this wickedness against Igbo entrepreneurs and their enterprises, the bank being used for the hatchet job should desist from such dirty job or will face the wrath of MASSOB and Ndigbo.  go unpunished. The bank that is being used and their collaborators against Ndigbo are blind to see the dangers and bad effects their action against Chief Innocent Chukwuma will bring to them,” the statement concluded.

BIAFRA NATION : We’ll declare Biafra’s independence on May 30’

It declared that no amount of fighter jets deployed against the zone would stop the group from announcing Biafra  nation and occupying the Enugu State Government House, which it said, was the designated headquarters of Biafra on May 30. The Guardian learnt that air surveillance by the joint patrol of Army and Police had increased in the zone since Monday; fuelling fears of possible clashes in the event of security breaches.The Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) has said the Federal Government was trying to intimidate its members from carrying out their plans to declare Biafra Republic on May 30 by deploying fighter jets in the zone.BZF leader, Mazi Benjamin Onwuka, told journalists in Enugu that the group was prepared to face any kind of security apparatuses that may be deployed to frustrate the exercise. He called on Biafrans to assemble at the Enugu Government House on May 30, asking Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to steer clear of controversy “by vacating office before that date.” He said already the, “fighter jets deployed for that purpose are hovering everywhere in Enugu State and southeast. The agenda is simple, to intimidate and instill fear in us and in our members. “But, we want to make it clear that we cannot be intimidated; that era is gone. Should anything happen to any of our members on that day all those involved will pay dearly for it. “Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari are already in panic. You can see them flying fighter jets all over. This is intimidation. They have failed,” he said. Onwuka equally said his group expects “all Biafrans to observe a public holiday on May 30, adding: “Nigeria will not escape independence of Biafra on May 30th, if they arrest us, they have dug their hole. If they don’t arrest us, the announcement will be made. Meanwhile, no fewer than 32 members of the Ralph Uwazuruike-led Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) have been remanded in prison for illegal procession and possession of ornaments belonging to the group. The affected members, who include 30 males and two females, were arrested at various locations in Enugu on Tuesday during a procession to mark the Biafra Day celebration. The Police arraigned them before an Enugu Magistrate Court presided over by S. Okoro for breaching section 41 of the criminal code, laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Police said in Enugu yesterday that it would not tolerate any breach to peace and security. State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, therefore, warned pro-Biafra agitators planning showdown on May 30 to beware, stressing that the command would not compromise the security of the state.

IPOB : Do Not Become Friends With Northern Politicians, IPOB Warns

The IPOB grouped issued the warning on the people “romancing with Arewa politicians.IPOB has warned Igbo politicians against the romancing with the Arewa politicians for the 2019 general elections, IPOB gave the warning yesterday that such moves will not be taken lightly with persons or group of person who becomes a friend to any Northerner’s politicians.The group said that those doing such things are not shameful and that their acts will not make their “oppressor love them, according to them “duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.”

The statement was released to journalists yesterday by Emma Powerful The detention and deaths of some members of BIM, were also condemned by IPOB during the meeting The blames were shifted to the governors of South East states and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the detention and killings of BIM members.They claimed that killings of Ohanaeze Ndigbo group were not new things hence the silence of Ohanaeze Ndigob and the governors of the recent misfortune that befell the group. He said: “There remains only two constituencies to blame for this and they are Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors. Their repeated silence over the slaughter of their own people makes them accomplices.“Those agitators romancing with Arewa politicians by night, but jump up during the day to shout Biafra must cover their faces in shame. Their duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.“We are asking the Nigerian government to focus its military hardware and fire power on Fulani terror herdsmen in Benue and other Northern terrorist groups active in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.http://joinmysfiteam.com/17765019“The senseless killings of unarmed Biafra agitators must stop because it will only breed more diehard activists that may choose to abandon the non-violence stance of IPOB. One day, violence will surely beget violence if this ongoing anti-Biafra persecution is not stopped.”

IPOB warns agitators allegedly ‘romancing Arewa politicians’

IPOB said those involved in the act should cover their heads in shame as their “duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.”The group stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, yesterday.The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has cautioned agitators “romancing with Arewa politicians.”The group stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, yesterday.IPOB also condemned the alleged death and detention of some members of Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, during a gathering.It blamed the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South East governors for the development.IPOB noted that the silence of Ohanaeze and Igbo governors on the issue was an indication that killing members of pro-Biafra groups had become a routine.He said: “There remains only two constituencies to blame for this and they are Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors. Their repeated silence over the slaughter of their own people makes them accomplices.“Those agitators romancing with Arewa politicians by night, but jump up during the day to shout Biafra must cover their faces in shame. Their duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.http://sfi4.com/17765019/reca“We are asking the Nigerian government to focus its military hardware and fire power on Fulani terror herdsmen in Benue and other Northern terrorist groups active in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.The senseless killings of unarmed Biafra agitators must stop because it will only breed more diehard activists that may choose to abandon the non-violence stance of IPOB. One day, violence will surely beget violence if this ongoing anti-Biafra persecution is not stopped.”

Police dislodge MASSOB/BIM members in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State police command, on Tuesday, dislodged members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) who had gathered at Oko, near Asaba to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Biafra as declared by Ralph Uwazuruike.The event was a combined celebration by Delta north and south followers of the group. They had barely gathered to perform the rites when the police team arrived in seven hilux vans, searching for the peaceful agitators.But the group quickly beat a tactical withdrawal and retreating back into their shells. Leaders of the group including Joseph C. Odikpo, Emeka Okafor, Chinedu Amaifeobu and Chike Mbaeyi, and hundred others scampered for safety when police mobilized to the area.Speaking, Odikpo flayed the dangerous dimension the occasion was about to assume, wondering whysecurity operatives hijacked the event to give it a violent colouration.Odikpo lamented the inhuman treatment being meted on the Zonal Commander of Security of the group in the state, Mr. Ignatius Adili-Ajana, at the yard of the Department of Security Service (DSS) in Akwa, was unwarranted.He said since the constitution of Nigeria permits a child to ask for freedom after 18 years, he appealed to the Federal Government to stop using military apparatus to beat drums of war, desist from tagging the group terrorists but adhere to the submissions of the United Nations.Okafor on his part, said since the group’s ability had sustained the agitation for 18 years without asking for the abolition of the Federal Government of Nigeria, its agents should allow freedom, justice and peace to reign.“The agitation is extremely non-violent. If not that we applied a tactical withdrawal, the celebration would have taken a bloody measure. Police should stop intimidating us with firearms when the only weapon we are carrying is our uniform and flag,” Okafor said.

Over 100 arrested as security agencies disrupt MASSOB rallies in South-east, Rivers

The rally was called by the Ralph Uwazuruike-led faction of MASSOB to celebrate the rededication of Biafra by Mr Uwazuruike in Aba, Abia State on May 22, 2000.Hundreds of members of the Igbo separatist group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), celebrating ‘Biafra Day’ were arrested across the states in the South-east as well as Rivers State by security agencies on Tuesday.However, a leader of a different MASSOB faction, Uchenna Madu, had disagreed with the Uwazuruike faction on the actual date for the celebration of ‘Biafra Day’.While Uwazuruike faction chose May 22 for its own celebration, the Madu faction insisted that ‘Biafra Day’ be celebrated on May 30; marking the 51st anniversary of declaration of Biafra by late Odumegwu Ojukwu.Nevertheless, the Uwazuruike faction pressed on with the celebration as it planned peaceful marches to commemorate the day in the five South-east states which are predominantly Igbo, as well as in Rivers State.But security agencies in joint operations swooped in on them in the various states, arresting scores of people.In Imo, at least 50 members of the group were detained at the Imo State police headquarters, Owerri, following their arrest by the authorities,  gathered.They were arrested along the popular Wetheral road, in Owerri, the state capital as they were coming in from neighbouring Abia State.They were displaying Biafra insignia and chanting anti-Nigerian songs.Journalists waited for hours for a scheduled press conference and parade of the arrested separatists.But the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, later announced the postponement of the said event citing the absence of other sister security agencies, who took part in the joint operation as his reason. city of Aba, Abia State, over 50 members of the group were also nabbed by security agencies at Osisioma Ngwa junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway when police patrol teams fired tear gas at the protesters.The MASSOB leader for Abia South zone, Fred Onyenaucheya, condemned the arrest of his members.He said despite the arrests and intimidation, they will not be deterred or cowed.“MASSOB is a non-violent organisation. We are shocked that police could tear gas and arrest our members who were only celebrating the rededication of the new Biafra. As at now ,over 20 of our members are receiving medical attention for injuries they sustained during the police attack . Even our female members were not spared. We have about 50 MASSOB members arrested by the police.“This is a grave infringement of our right to freedom of movement. But we assure the Nigerian government that no arrest,detention or any other form of intimidation will stop us from actualising an independent state of Biafra,” he said.He called on the police to immediately release and apologise to the detained MASSOB members as they did not commit any crime.In Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, over 10 members of the organisation were arrested by security agents.This is even as hundreds of members of the group took part in the celebrations in Port Harcourt, the state capital.The pro-Biafra agitators had commenced the procession at Mile Market in Port Harcourt, and headed towards Eleme junction before they were intercepted around Garrison junction.The security agents intercepted them and shot tear gas canisters at them in a bid to disperse the crowd. Those arrested were said to be wearing the camouflage of security outfits especially those of the civil defence.The MASSOB leader in the state, Solomon Chukwu, in his speech during the protest, said: “I am not happy about the development. I met the security people and told them what we are doing, that we are not violent. But, they asked us to close and go. They did not give us chance to go.“They arrested our people on uniform. Our coming out is not that we took them unawares. They are aware. We are meant to go to Eleme Junction. But, because of their action, we stopped here at Garrison. We will follow up the people they have arrested to secure their release.“I am calling on the federal government that MASSOB is non-violent and we are a registered organisation. We are shocked that they decided to treat us like this.”Also, one of the MASSOB members, Anthony Azukem, said the essence of the rally was to reawaken the call for the creation of the Biafran State.“The rally this morning is to mark our 18 years of existence, after it was formed in year 2000 by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike. The call for the reawakening of the call for the creation of Biafra State is part of the reason for this rally.”The police in Ebonyi State assisted by other security agencies in the morning forcefully disrupted a protest by MASSOB in Abakaliki, the state capital.The separatists were on a peaceful march round major streets of the city when they were tear-gassed and some arrested.The group had earlier announced the protest through the media and social media channels in the country. It said the march is to commemorate the declaration of Biafran Republic by its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike.But, security agencies in the state accosted them along Nkaliki road as they started the march, sprayed tear gas and arrested some of them, it was gathered.The police were joined in the operation by the army and the State Security Service,  learnt.The Commander of Nigerian Millitary Cantonment in Nkwegu, S. O. Sadiq, confirmed the participation of the army in the incident and arrests. He said the arrested persons were handed over to the police.He stressed that MASSOB did not notify security agencies in the state of the event in writing which necessitated the action to stop the march.The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident to our reporter but could not give the actual number of persons arrested.“I don’t have the details of the actual number of persons arrested right now,” she said. “When I get the full details I will let you know.”The police in Enugu said they arrested 15 members of MASSOB who were on a peaceful march in the state.A statement by the spokesman of the command, Ebere Amaraizu, said they were arrested around Obiagu/Afia Nine axis of Ogui in Enugu State.The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, as warning against any act by any group capable of disrupting the peace in the state.According the commissioner of police, anybody or group of persons caught will be made to face the full weight of the law.Mr Mohammed gave the warning at the police command headquarters Enugu while reacting to the arrests.He said they were arrested within Enugu metropolis “for disruption of peace”.He, however, used the opportunity to advise members of the public to be law abiding and go about their normal lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or molestation.He said the command’s operatives were working in partnership with other security agencies to secure the city.In Anambra, spokesman of the group, Chris Muocha, said the police attacked them as they were getting set to commence the march in Ontsha. He said five of their members were killed and many others injured.He said many others were also arrested and whisked away.But,  could not independently confirm the incident.The police spokesman in the state, Haruna Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES he was not aware of any clash anywhere in the state.He, however, asked the reporter to give him time to find out if there was any clash with the group promising to get back to the reporter later.He was yet to do so at press time.He also did not pick subsequent calls placed to his phone line at the time of filling this report.MASSOB is advocating for an independent Igbo populated country. It is, however, separate from IPOB, another pro-Biafra group, that has been dubbed a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government.