IPOB : How Nigerian soldiers killed young man over sit-at-home order – Aba community

It was alleged that residents of Chigbu Street, off Uratta junction by Port Harcourt road in Aba South local government area of Abia State had on Wednesday trooped out to mark the 30th anniversary of the defunct Biafra Republic but were resisted by some men of the Nigerian Army. Residents of Aba, the commercial city of Abia State have accused the Nigerian Army of killing a young man identified as Nnamdi over the Wednesday’s sit-at-home order. Argument ensued between the youths and some soldiers and the security men in the process fired shots into the air to scare the protesters away. Nnamdi, was said to have been killed by a stray bullet from the soldiers said to be on patrol in the area. Enyiocha, the youth leader of the community, who spoke on  behalf of the youths, claimed that the soldiers after killing Nnmadi who they said to be in his late twenties, dragged his body away and deposited it at a yet-to-be identified location. The youth leader, who displayed the picture before newsmen, said, “Early this (yesterday) morning, some boys were like stopping vehicles asking them to go back. To me, they are more of hoodlums and rough guys. “Suddenly, we started hearing gunshots and men on army uniform with their hilux van parked around Onyike were the ones shooting and coming down to Uratta Junction. “On getting here, we all were watching from our house when their bullet hit a boy called Nnamdi from Chigbu Street. When they saw he was down, they started shouting at everyone to run and sit at home. “Before you know it, they dragged the dead guy towards their van. We got the pictures, but we took it from afar. They later came back to harass people in the street which made most of the boys to run away.”

'22' Arrested In Enugu For Trying To Hoist Biafran Flag At State House

Benjamin Onwuka, a lawyer and leader of the BZF, had earlier announced plans to commemorate the ‘Biafra Day’ by hoisting the flag of the defunct Republic of Biafra at the Government House. at least 22 members of the Biafran Zionists Federation (BZF) were arrested by security operatives on Wednesday as they sought to take over the Enugu State Government House to hoist the Biafran flag. Onwuka had gone as far as vowing that “not even fighter jets” would stop him from realising the mission.

At about 7am on ‘Biafra Day’, he and scores of his followers trooped towards the Government House, Enugu, bearing Biafran flags and musical instruments with which they hoped to celebrate the success of the mission. However, they were arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) before they could even reach the gates of the Government House. Although at least 22 were arrested, several others escaped. Confirming the development, Ebere Amaraizu, Public Relations Officer of the Police in Enugu State, said Onwuka, who had previously been prosecuted for a similar offence, was in the custody of the Police and would soon be arraigned. Onwuka’s BZF had previously made attempts to declare the independence of Biafra. After leading some BZF members to invade the studios of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service in a botched bid to announce the secession of Biafra on June 5, 2014, Onwuka was arrested, detained and tried for treason. Reacting to the arrest, Ambrose Ugwu, deputy leader of the group, warned that south-east governors would face the wrath of the United States and other international allies of the pro-Biafra group if Onwuka was not released immediately. “Peace-loving Zionists were today treated like common criminals by the Police, who were doing the bidding of the South-East governors,” he said. “They beat our members, including our commander, like criminals. What happened today is very condemnable. We hold south-east governors responsible. There is collaboration among the five of them to crush the pro-Biafran agitators. But we are not going be cowed.  “We are giving them an ultimatum to release them immediately. Failure to do so, they will have the United States and our other international allies to contend with.” Biafra supporters commemorated the ‘Biafra Day’ on Wednesday, May 30, with a sit-at-home order by the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB). Although it was observed in many parts of the south-east, a few others ignored it, instead going about their normal businesses.

Biafra day as soldiers kill 2 IPOB members

The sit-at-home exercise ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), yesterday, for Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day, turned bloody as soldiers shot dead a young man believed to be one of the members of the pro Biafra group in Aba, Abia State.        In Aba, it was gathered that soldiers had approached from Port Harcourt Road/Uratta Junction, where some IPOB members had reportedly gathered in the morning of yesterday, as part of the sit-at-home protest.This was even as a member of the pro-Biafra group was allegedly shot, following a clash between the group and a combined team of the army and police at St Mary’s Anglican Church Junction, in Nnewi, Anambra State. Eyewitnesses said the clash occurred when the IPOB members came out that early morning and blocked major roads to Nnewi from Onitsha axis, making burn fires to enforce compliance to the sit-at-home. Reports said as the soldiers got close to the junction, they started shooting indiscriminately, which forced the IPOB members to leave the vicinity.

As the soldiers continued shooting, a stray bullet, according to report, hit the young man, identified as Nnamdi, from Mbano, in Imo State, and a resident of Chigbu Street off Uratta Junction by Port Harcourt Road, who was said to have come out from his house to buy something.  Immediately he was shot dead, the soldiers were reported to have dragged his corpse into their patrol van and sped off, preventing Nnamdi’s younger brother from carrying his corpse. When Daily Sun visited the scene of the incident, an eyewitness, who wouldn’t want his name mentioned said: “Early this morning (yesterday), some boys believed to be IPOB members gathered at that junction as part of the sit-at-home protest; suddenly we started hearing gunshots and men on army uniform, with their hilux van, parked around Onyike Street, and from there started shooting and coming down to Uratta Junction. “On getting here, we all were watching from our houses when their bullet hit a boy called Nnamdi from Chigbu Street.” Elsewhere, at Ngwa Road, newspaper vendors who went for the day’s business, had bitter experience as soldiers from a nearby military post harassed and tore their newspapers into shreds Meanwhile, banks, schools, shops and some other usually busy centres in Aba were shut in total compliance to the order. When Daily Sun went round the commercial city, major markets like Ariaria, Eke Oha (Shopping Centre), Eziukwu and Ahia Ohuru, all had their gates opened by market union leaders, but the markets were deserted. At some minor markets, like school Road Market, Saint Michaels Road Phone Accessories Market, Ehi Road Market, Ngwa Road Market, Nsulu Market and Akwette Streets Markets there were no sign of business. Many banks visited in Aba metropolis were under lock and key except the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) that remained active. Pupils and students were at home, while many private and public schools visited were deserted as no teachers were on sighted. In Anambra State, the exercise received substantial compliance. Except for the state capital, Awka, which recorded partial compliance, other major cities like Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Ihiala had full or near full compliance. Commercial activities and vehicular movement were paralysed. However, all the markets in Onithsa and its environs and banks were shutdown, though the exercise coincided with the mid term break of schools in the area as schools were closed. The Ogidi Building Materials Market, Nkpor New Auto Spare Market, Obosi Old Spare Parts Market, Nkpor Main Market and other roadside markets serving the satellite towns around Onitsha and environs were also completely shut. .In Awka, during the usual morning rush hours, motorists and workers stayed away from the parks and roads just as markets remained under lock and keys. Security operatives were seen moving around the city in convoy, apparently to ensure that no one was molested into closing shop by members of IPOB. The situation at Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Ihiala was a total compliance until afternoon, when vehicles began to show up on the roads. Ebonyi State recorded minimal compliance. Some locations in the state which used to be busy with economic activities didn’t record as much traffic as it used to be. In Abakaliki, compliance was minimal as various markets, like Abakpa market, Meat Market, Rice Mill, Mechanic Village, Kpirikpiri Market and some others were all open for business activities. But, major transport companies closed route for major cities in the South East, such as Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Aba and Owerri. Also, the order was observed in parts of Asaba, Delta State capital. There was partial paralysis of socio-economic activities at the popular Ogbogonogo Market along Nnebisi Road. Even the ever busy Asaba-Onitsha Expressway and Nnebisi roads were scanty as motorists, especially the Asaba-Onitsha intra state buses, were not on the road when Daily Sun monitored the level of compliance. In Akwebulu and Okwe axis considered to be the stronghold of IPOB adherents, the exercise was successful as shops were not only locked-up, private schools in the areas were also shut. Meanwhile, security operatives in the early hours of yesterday embarked on a military exercise code-named ‘Operation show of force’. The exercise, which involved the army, police, civil defence, saw security agencies patrolling major streets of the metropolis. Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka urged residents not to panic, explaining that the exercise was an evidence that security agencies were on top of any situation in the state  Regardless, residents of Nsukka town and its environs,  yesterday ignored the  sit-at-home order. Daily Sun gathered that  residents were seen as early as 6am going about their normal lawful businesses as government offices, banks schools,  market and shops opened for business as usual. Also, commercial bus drivers, tricycles and motorcycles were busy picking and dropping passengers at their destinations and bus-stops. Jude Amadi, a trader said IPOB does not feed him and his family and as such, the group has no right to give him order when to open or close his shop. A commercial bus driver who identified herself as Peter Ozioko said if there was anything like IPOB sit at home order he was not aware as nothing concerns him and  IPOB. When contacted, Sterve Yabanet,  Nsukka Police Area Commander, commended  residents of the area for obeying police directive to ignore the IPOB sit at home order and go about their normal businesses. Despite the non-compliance of the sit- at-home order in Imo State, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu described it as a “plus” to the struggle for Biafra. Madu, in a telephone chart with Daily Sun said the group is happy by getting at least some Igbo sons and daughters to obey the order. Although Madu explained that the sit-at-home order was issued by IPOB, notwithstanding, its partial compliance in some parts of the South East is a sign that the actualisation of Biafra is near. Our correspondent who monitored the order by IPOB revealed that all public institutions, including schools and markets were bubbling with activities, except for some schools in the rural areas. Meanwhile, IPOB has expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance of people to the sit-at-home order, describing the exercise as successful. Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement conveying the group’s gratitude commended the people for their uncommon courage, determination and resoluteness in the face of intimidation by the Nigerian security agencies and governors of the South East states. “We the family members of IPOB worldwide wish to congratulate all Biafrans and lovers of freedom all over Biafraland and various parts of  Southern Nigeria who contributed immensely towards the successful outcome of our heroes remembrance day by sitting at home as directed by the leadership of IPOB.” In a related development, a civil society and human rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of law (Intersociety),  has described yesterday’ sit-at home protest as a huge success and a strong message to the Muhammadu Buhari administration to buckle up. Intersociety, in a statement signed by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi said the sit at home was a huge success divided between physical success and success of the mind. This was even as the coalition of pro-Biafrans groups called on the Federal Government to immediately remove the terrorist tag and proscription of IPOB. The group  demanded the reverse of the alleged wrong labelling of the peaceful non-violent unarmed people as terrorists and urged the federal government to hang the label on those who truly qualify for that title like Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. The group comprised MASSOB, Eastern People Congress (EPC), Billie Human Rights Initiative, Biafra United Libration Council (BULCO), Biafra Actualisation and Defence Squad (BAADS), Biafra Revolutionary Organisation (BRO), Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL), Movement of Biafra in Nigeria (MOBIN), Biafra Revolutionary Force (BRF) and Biafra War Veteran. The coalition which gathered at the Rojenmy Tourist and Games Villages Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State in a convention to mark this year’s 51st Biafra Day celebration with the theme “51 years after Biafra Declaration between Territorial Sovereignty and Cultural Identity,” asked for the unity of Ndigbo to achieve the goal of actualising the state Biafra.

Groups Vow To Celebrate Biafra’s 51st Anniversary Despite Military Presence In South-East

A statement issued on Monday by Uchenna Madu, MASSOB leader; Felix Anochirimonye; leader of Eastern People’s Congress; Rita Anibuogu for Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria and Innocent Amadi, for Bilie Human Rights Initiative, said the group was not shaken by the heavy presence of security operatives and that the festivity would begin on May 29 with a candlelight parade.the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafra groups have vowed to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Republic of Biafra on May 30 notwithstanding the presence of security operatives in the South-East.Also part of the group are the Igbo Youth Cultural and Restoration Initiative (IYCRI), Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), Biafran National Liberation Council (BNLC), Biafran Revolutionary Organisation (BRO), Biafran Liberation Crusade (BLC), Joint Revolutionary Council of Biafra (JRCB), Biafra Revolutionary Force (BRF) and Customary Government of Biafra (CGB),“A coalition of pro-Biafran groups, which agreed to speak with one voice in one accord with unity of purpose, met and insisted on the earlier resolutions on 18th of April after our fifth monthly meeting that the annual May 30th celebration of the Biafran people will hold this year in a unique formula,” read the statement.

The Biafran Central Council (BCC) and the Biafran United Liberation Council (BULCO) insisted on an anniversary where the members and people of Biafra will interface and reflect soberly on the real issues concerning Biafra emancipation. “This year’s anniversary will be celebrated by the people of Biafra, not as a pro-Biafra group but as a mark of respect and honour to our fatherland,” they said. “It is also a reminder to the visions and commandments of our great ancestors that we are not Nigerians but Biafrans. “We enjoin our people to get ready for the celebration of this great anniversary, which we will hold to remind ourselves to continue the self-determination movement for Biafra actualization and restoration.” Calls for the recognition of Biafra as a sovereign state by the Nigerian government appeared to be regaining momentum last year — until an Army crackdown on the South-East that led to the sudden disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

BIAFRA DAY : Police, Army Dare IPOB As Group Insists On May 30 Protest

IPOB on Monday lamented that it received report that two governors had scheduled events to disrupt the Biafra Day programmes.The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday insisted that its sit-at-home protest scheduled for May 30, 2018 as Biafra Day remains sacrosanct. But the police, army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have dared IPOB, saying they are ready to tackle them headlong.In a statement by Comrade Emma Powerful, the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, “Two governors and certain unscrupulous individuals in search of money have decided to seek sponsorship from Aso Rock.” The group said, “Any person or group of persons found outside on Wednesday, the 30th of May, 2018 will be cursed by both the living and the dead. “The remembrance of the sacrifice of our heroes on the 30th of May supersedes any electoral or financial benefits to any individual or group.

“Those seeking to follow the footsteps of now discredited Ohanaeze Ndigbo, other Igbo quislings and agents of the oppressors in seeking to further extend Northern control and domination in Biafraland, having seen the devastation such approach has wrought on our people in the past, will pay a heavy price for it.” The group fingered the duo of Dr. Dozie Ikedife and Bishop Onubogu in the alleged plot. It said, “They allowed their names to be associated with a Nigerian government-sponsored event designed to dishonour our brave Biafran heroes.” But Ikedife has swiftly reacted and denied having any plan to do anything to that effect on that day. Ikedife said: “I have no hands whatsoever in what they are doing even though I see no usefulness in the sit-at-home order. It is neither here nor there.“IPOB just want to malign prominent Igbo people because I don’t even know Bishop Onuigbo.” Meanwhile, the Police Command in Abia on Monday led detachments of the Nigerian army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a show of strength in Umuahia, ahead of the IPOB sit-at-home order for Wednesday, May 30. The exercise took off from the Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, at about 9a.m. and moved round the major streets up to Ubakala and Olokoro in Umuahia South Local Government Area back to CPS, via Bende Road. The convoy included one Armoured Personnel Carrier and about 15 patrol vans, loaded with heavily armed men. Speaking with newsmen at the end of the show, the Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi, said the joint exercise was designed to reassure residents of the readiness of the security agencies to continue to protect their lives and property. “The show of strength included men of the police command, the army and civil defence and the essence is to demonstrate our resolve to ensure that Abia residents continue to enjoy uninterrupted peace. “We are poised to continue to sustain the prevailing peace and wish to send a signal to trouble makers, especially members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been proscribed as a terrorist group. “We want them to know that the law will not spare them should they go ahead to disrupt the prevailing peace, which residents of the state are presently enjoying. “So we used this opportunity to instill confidence in the people that security agencies are alive to their primary duties of protecting their lives and property.” The police boss therefore urged the people to ignore the sit-at-home order and go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation. “Sitting at home for fear of any possible attack by IPOB members will give them a sense of victory.” Ogbizi further charged security operatives “to be alert and vigilant” to be able to checkmate the activities of IPOB. The Ebonyi government on Monday barred residents of the state from observing the sit-at-home order of the IPOB slated for May 30. Kenneth Ugbala, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Internal Security, announced this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen. “The issue of IPOB’s sit-at-home order came up on May 30, 2017, causing chaos in major cities of the South East zone of the country though we were lucky in Ebonyi. “God assisted us coupled with the proactive steps taken by the government and security agencies as we maintain that IPOB activities have been proscribed by the South East states’ governors,” he said. The governor’s aide said that the government had directed that such order should not be observed in the state. “Individuals and groups are free to pursue their causes but through due processes and the Ebonyi government will earnestly protect the people’s lives and property.” The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a northern socio-cultural group, has strongly condemned the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which has declared May 30 Biafra Day. ACF accused IPOB of calling on its members to use the day as a period of sober reflection in honour of people who were alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria. The group expressed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, in Kaduna, on Monday. Part of the statement reads: “We consider such statement as destructive of our national cohesion. “It is also a negation of our national unity comprising a people who, have ended the unfortunate three years of civil war 48 years ago with no victor, no vanquished and have been working hard through the 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divides us. “Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria, despite our moments of national instability and challenges, has continued to be reaffirmed by individuals and groups at different fora. “We cannot therefore jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.” According to the statement, “The Nigerian components, like all developing nations, have challenges which can be overcome through collective hard work and due democratic process. “Intimidation and threats are not viable means that give voice to people’s aspiration as it is unnecessary and unhelpful.” The group stressed that last year’s sit-at-home order by IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South – East zone of Nigeria, but that it was hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on the non-indigenes. It therefore called on IPOB to listen to the wise counsel of its political elders, saying that the democratic structure provides sufficient avenue for them to voice their aspirations and express their concerns.

IPOB storms Onitsha, mobilises for sit-at-home

They marched through Awka Road, Old Market Road, Main Market, Sokoto Road, Haruna Street, Williams street to Creek Road and Zik Avenue, Port Harcourt Road, all in Fegge,    to Upper Iweka and terminated at Owerri Road, insisting that the people should remain indoors on Wednesday (today) or stand to be blamed in case of any eventuality.The group, comprising Lion Squad, a security outfit of the organisation and other members,

 held Biafran flags and chanted freedom and solidarity songs such as 

“IPOB purported proscription arrant nonsense; “Nigerian Federal Government has no power to brand IPOB terrorist group; “Biafrans, Igbo we must be proud of our own own and 

“IPOB and genuine Biafra agitating group cannot be intimidated out with Army and Police, among others.The group distributed handbills and flyers with the inscription:

 “May 30, 2018 is Biafra Day, celebrating 51 Biafra anniversary, we remember the fallen heroes of 1967-70, including victims of Asaba massacre, all slain freedom fighters of Biafra IPOB, MASSOB and all victims of Fulani herdsmen and all other state sponsored killings in Nigeria.”

Some  flyers and handbills they distributed bore pictures of fallen heroes such former Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu,

 Col. Joe Achuzia, Major-General Philip Effiong and Timothy Onwuatuegwu, among others, as well as corpses of those who died during some of their rallies and protests.

Though, they did not stop anywhere to talk to anybody, one of them who did not mention his name was shouting, no market, no movement, no school, no business, no church, no vehicle on Wednesday, as directed by its leadership as an annual ritual to honour those who fought and died for Biafra and those who died in the struggle.”

BIAFRA : May 30 sit-at home destructive – ACF

Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF National Publicity Secretary in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna Monday, said, “ACF considers such press statement as destructive of our national cohesion.” The statement noted that the IPOB statement issued by its publicity secretary, Emma Powerful was widely published, saying that IPOB had declared May 30 this year as a sit at home day in honour of not only for Biafra State but those allegedly killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria.The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, on Monday described the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB, as destructive to the nation’s cohesion.The statement added, “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to a press statement by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which was proscribed by the Federal Government last year, again declaring May 30th this year as a sit-at-home day in honour of not only for a Biafra state but also for those alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria. “It is also a negation of our national unity comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three (3) years of civil war, 48years ago with “no Victor no Vanquish”, and have been working hard through the 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divide us. “Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria despite our moments of national instability and challenges, have continued to be reaffirmed by individuals and groups at different fora. We have also demonstrated it in words and deeds in our political sojourn. We cannot therefore jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.“The Nigerian components, like all developing nations, have challenges which can be overcome through collective hard work and due democratic process. Intimidation and threats are not viable means that give voice to people’s aspiration as it is unnecessary and unhelpful.” “The sit-at-home order of last year by IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of Nigeria, it was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on “non-indigenes”. “We therefore cannot afford a repeat of such incidence. Given the benefit of hindsight, ACF therefore calls on the South East Governors to prevail on their citizens to ignore such acts that seek to affect our sense of oneness and could also affect the economy and political stability of not only the South East but of Nigeria as a whole,” the statement observed. The ACF urged members of IPOB to listen to the wise counsel of their elders, States Chief Executives and elected political representatives at both the National and State Assemblies and opt for due democratic process. “Our present democratic structure provides sufficient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns. “Nigerians should therefore avail themselves to this opportunity rather than pander seek to heat up the polity. ACF also calls on the Security Agencies to put in adequate measures that will ensure the safety of all citizens in every part of country,” ACF noted.  While wishing Nigerians happy democracy day, ACF appealed to the country’s political leaders to play the game by strictly obeying its rules to ensure a fair, peaceful and credible elections.