BIAFRA : fears in South East over sit-at-home

In Enugu State, there was heavy security presence in all the strategic points in the state capital, while fighter jets were hovering the state. Regardless, members of the Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) have vowed to go ahead with their planned declaration of Biafra today. He said: “Fighter jets deployed by the Federal Government are hovering everywhere in Enugu State. The agenda is simple, to intimidate and instill fear in us and 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 tomorrow (today), all those involved will pay dearly for it. “Nigeria is already in panic. Buhari is in serious fear. You can see them flying fighter jets all over; this is what is called intimidation. They have failed.” Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, has warned that the police will not tolerate any act or omission by any person or groups under any guise to disrupt the existing peace in the state. The commissioner, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said:  “Any person or group of persons caught in any habit or omission capable of disrupting the existing peace in the state will be made to face the full weight of the law.” The security around the government House, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army headquarters and state police headquarters have been heavily guarded with fierce looking security operatives. There were also fears and anxiety in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, as IPOB had insisted there was no going on the call to remain indoors when they marched through the major streets and roads in Onitsha on Monday, instilling fear on residents and traders. Daily Sun gathered that the Onitsha main market witnessed a crowd of people rushed to make last minute purchase for fear of what may happen today. A market leader in Anambra State, who did not want his name in prints, said: “We are going to open our markets and traders should open their shops for business. There is no way the pro-Biafra group will force us to close our businesses, because they are doing anniversary.”

BIAFRA : Why young Africans need to know about their history

My grandmother, Theresa Nsionu, told me about how she ran from town to town with her children to escape the violence during the Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War). Photo by Chika Oduah      Biafran War Memories. Fifty-one years ago, a political decision changed the course of my life and I wasn't even born when it was made.

After several bouts of ethnic hostilities in Nigeria during which thousands of Igbo people were murdered and chased out of cities, back to their ancestral communities in southeastern Nigeria, leaders from the southeast declared on May 30, 1967 that the region would breakaway from Nigeria and form the Republic of Biafra. Diplomatic efforts to unite Nigeria failed; war spilled out and continued pouring out atrocities for three years. The land of my birth- southeastern Nigeria- collapsed into a battlefield: Nigeria versus Biafra. Most of the Biafrans were like me, Igbo. My mother, an Igbo woman, was a six-year-old child when she ran away from a city in central Nigeria where Igbo people were being "slaughtered like chickens," as my grandmother told me. Mom journeyed with her mother and siblings from one town to the next, fleeing Nigerian soldiers. She ended up in a camp where children died of malnutrition everyday.. He stayed in his village, a hamlet nestled in a dense forest resting on the bank of the Niger River. It became a refuge of hundreds of Igbo families who had nowhere else to go. No one knows how many people died in the war and the Nigerian government has never presented an official death toll of it. Neither has the United Nations but estimates range from one to three million. Relatives I never knew disappeared and no one held funerals for them.

IPOB : Public/Private Facilities Shut Down In Many Parts Of South-East As ‘Biafra Day’ Is Celebrated

the day was observed in many parts of Enugu State, with a group even going as far as attempting to invade the state government house to fly the Biafra flag. There had been fears that the celebration would flop due to the disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, and the heavy presence of security agencies in the geopolitical zone. Although this year’s celebration wasn’t as intense as last year’s, the ‘Biafra Day’ celebration was nevertheless observed in majority of south-eastern states on Wednesday in compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). But despite this, the day was observed in many parts of Enugu State, with a group even going as far as attempting to invade the state government house to fly the Biafra flag.

Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, was on lockdown as residents observed the sit-at-home order. The streets were deserted — so also were schools, markets and private stalls. Commercial transport drivers did not operate, and even the famous Ariaria International Market did not open. Banks opened for business but customers were few and far between. The few private schools that opened eventually shut down earlier than normal, fearing the possibility of attack by Biafra loyalists. However, in Umuahia, residents completely ignored the sit-at-home order, as commercial and social activities proceeded without interruption. Government offices were open, and civil servants went about at their normal business at the State Secretariat. Private and public schools were also open, same as banks, markets and neighbourhood. Commercial vehicles, including tricycle operators, worked too. In Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, as well as Nnewi, there was total compliance. Traders and residents sat back at home, while banks, car parks, schools, gas stations and markets, including the renowned Onitsha Main Market, were all graveyards. The Onitsha-Enugu expressway was deserted from its Asaba end of the road to Zik’s Roundabout to New Motor Spare Parts Nkpor and the former Ogbunike Toll Gate — same as all the federal highways. Also, the usually-busy Upper Iweka was deserted. In Nnewi, an IPOB member was shot in a clash with a combined team of the Army and Police at St Mary’s Anglican Church junction. Some people believed to be IPOB members had made a bonfire and blocked the roads, which led to an altercation with the security agents that tried to stop them. In Enugu State, compliance so high that at the ever-busy Main Market Enugu, nearly all the shops were closed. The few shops that opened were patronized by only a handful of customers. Police arrested more than 21 members and the leader of Biafran Zionists Movement (BZM), Benjamin Onwuka, who headed to the Government House as early as 7 am to fulfill their initial vow to hoist the Biafran flag at the State House. However, they hadn’t even reached the gate of the seat of power when they were arrested by security operatives. Meanwhile, in Nsukka, the sit-at-home order was completely ignored. Markets, schools. government offices, banks and commercial workers all opened for business. There were even classes at the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka. A student of the university who spoke with SaharaReporters said she is not a Biafran. When asked why the Biafran Day was not celebrated in Nsukka, she said: “Biafra Day? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a Nigerian, not a Biafram.” In Ebonyi State, people went about their businesses as normal — and no one harassed them — as joint patrol teams of major security agencies were seen all over the capital, Abakaliki, to forestall breakdown of law and order. Whatever harassment they got came a day earlier, when David Umahi, Governor of the state, warned in his May 29 Democracy Day speech that any trader who closed their shop would forfeit it forever Notably, the Abakaliki Main Market, the Meat Market and the Kpirikpiri Market were all open for business. Speaking with journalists on the Governor’s behalf, Kenneth Ugbala, Senior Special Assistant to Umahi on Internal Security, Kenneth Ugbala, said the state could not leave its productive periods to engage in nothing “because we have suffered criminal marginalisation from the states we were carved out from and we want to meet up and we cannot sit at home when we are supposed to be working”. “I have gone round the two major businesses area in the state. I visited the banks, Abakpa Main Market, the parks where commuters do their businesses and I am happy that in Ebonyi State, we have full compliance to the directive of government,” he said. “Even in the rural communities or areas, we don’t have any challenge at all. The light cases that cropped in had been resolved in the rural areas; we want to thank God; we want to advise those championing the cause of IPOB or MASSOB to follow the normal process that will be in line with the law.”IPOB, though, hailed the occasion as largely successful. “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,” read a statement issued by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful. “We salute the uncommon courage and resoluteness of all Biafrans that defied the military threats, intimidation from Arewa Consultative Forum and S’East governors to sit-at-home across the length and breadth of Biafraland.”

IPOB : Court forecloses Nigeria govt’s objection to bail of IPOB members

Justice Binta Nyako on Wednesday refused the letter from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), which was signed by one Y. Cole requesting for an adjournment on the grounds that the office did not file a counter affidavit to the bail application by defence counsel in the matter. A Federal High Court in Abuja has foreclosed the objection of the Federal Government to the bail application by four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The judge subsequently fixed June 25 for ruling on the bail applications brought by Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie. Defence lawyers Chukwudi Igwe, P.A.N Ejiofor and Maxwel Okpara had cited health grounds for their application for the bail of their clients, which the prosecution failed to object to before the application was adjourned for ruling. The defendants, whose cases were separated from the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu (who is said to be at large) are facing three count-charges of treasonable felony of setting up illegal broadcast stations in UK and Nigeria for the secession of the South East, South South and parts of Benue and Kogi states from Nigeria. They are also charged with illegal importation of radio transmitter, and unlawful possession of firearms.

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.