Ohanaeze decries continued incarceration of Onyekachi Orji others for past 15 years

 

The youths and women wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have expressed concern over the continued incarceration of Onyekachi Orji at a federal correctional center in Anambra State.

 recalls that Onyekachi Orji is one of those incarcerated in the Federal correctional center in Onitsha, for over 15 years on accusation of violent agitation for biafra independence by Biafra National Guard (BNG).

In a statement by its acting National youth leader, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, after a visit to the latter in Onitsha prison, which was made available to DAILY POST on Sunday night, the Ohanaeze wings, described Onyekachi Orji as a prisoner of conscience and asked the federal government of Nigeria to expedite her legal action towards freeing their detained sons and daughters, whose only crime seem to be their ‘igboness.’

The Ohanaeze wings led by Mazi Chikwuma Okpalaezeukwu and Mrs. Rita Daniels respectively, regretted that such young people have had their dreams ended by their unjust imprisonment.

According to the Ohanaeze wings, “Mrs. Onyekachi Orji and other detainees were very happy with the solidarity shown to them by the Ohanaeze wings and further expressed their heartfelt desire for unconditional freedom from detention.

“It is abundantly clear that nothing fuels crisis and violence in any society more than injustice. These our brothers and sisters are among thousands of Igbo youths who have been unjustly detained over many years, some, without trial, others with inexplicably slow trial.

“Why would someone be happy that his or her relative is in prison for over 15 years without any court verdict condemning him or her? We have and will continue to do our best to facilitate peace in Ala Igbo, but governments across all levels must show the needed seriousness in supporting this process by doing their bit. One of such is to open the prison gates and release all our brothers and sisters, who are unjustly detained across Nigeria”.

The Igbo groups reiterated their unwavering commitment towards ensuring that they are not only freed from detention, but also compensate for their apparent unjust imprisonment.

The Ohanaeze wings, however, used the medium to commend its committee for their sacrifices at the visit to Mrs Orji and passion for peace in Igbo land, urging the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to accede to good logic and free the detainees.

BIAFRA cancels ‘sit-at-home’ in Anambra, supports governorship election

 

A total of 18 parties are taking part in the Anambra governorship election on Saturday.

The outlawed separatist group, IPOB, has announced that it has cancelled its one week sit-at-home earlier declared in Anambra State.

The group, which had used force to enforce its earlier sit-at home protests in the South-east, had declared the sit-at-home in Anambra to discourage residents from taking part in the November 6 governorship election in the state.

The sit-at-home, which had been condemned by political leaders in the South-east, was meant to commence on Friday, a day to the election.

However, IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement Thursday evening said the sit-at-home has now been cancelled.

“Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that Our elders have spoken in our terms , the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021,” he wrote.

A total of 18 parties are taking part in the Anambra governorship election on Saturday.

IPOB did not, however, declare support for any of the candidates.

Read Mr Powerful’s full statement below.

WE HAVE CANCELLED OUR ONE WEEK SIT-AT-HOME – IPOB

Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that Our elders have spoken in our terms , the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.

We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.

IPOB leadership is only interested in Our referendum and peaceful agitation for self determination, and can not by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.

The people of Anambra State should go out enmasse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121 and accordingly, chose a leader of their Choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.

Credible intelligence available to us confirmed that the Nigeria DSS has concluded arrangement to deploy a branch of their trained terrorist group to Anambra state come 6th Day 2021, to unleash mayhem on our people and attribute the killing to peaceful IPOB members.

Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.

We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.

May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.

On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.

We therfore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.

IPOB will not relent in our pursuit for Biafra freedom. Nigeria government must give us date for Biafra referendum to decide where we want to belong.

 

Biafran National Guard Fighters Stole Biscuits, Fuel From Us — Abia Petrol Station Manager Narrates

 

 In an interview with ABN TV, Stanley explained that the filling station located at Amaekpu Ohafia, Abia State lost N26,300 to the gunmen. 

Chibuike Stanley, the manager of Benkama filling station which was invaded some days ago by men of the Biafran National Guard (BNG), has estimated the company's loss in the incident. 

In an interview with ABN TV, Stanley explained that the filling station located at Amaekpu Ohafia, Abia State lost N26,300 to the gunmen.

According to him, the gunmen besieged the business premises in a convoy of five cars suspected to have been snatched from their owners along the highway around 8:30 am. 

He said he had mistaken the heavily armed men who appeared in military camouflage as security details of a VIP and when they demanded refill of the tanks of the vehicles, the station attendants were eager to do that. 

The manager said he however became suspicious of the transaction when they demanded additional fuel in their tank when no payment had been made. 

“They asked her to add more. It was in the process of asking her to add more that I asked if they have paid and she said no. I now asked her to go and demand payment. She then asked who is in charge to pay. One of them warned her to keep quiet. It dawned on me that these are not customers,” he said. 

The station manager said while he was watching, one of the BNG members went into the supermarket in the station and came out with five packets of biscuits valued at N1,000 each. This is in addition to the total amount of fuel dispensed to them worth N21,300.

The BNG members reportedly attacked members of the Abia State vigilante group who provided guard duty at the filling station and took their two pump action rifles and ammunition. 

However, the management of the filling station said apart from being harsh to the petrol pump attendants, the BNG members did not shoot or launch any physical assault in the process. 

The Biafran National Guard, one of the groups agitating for the independence of South-East Nigeria, had declared war on the Nigerian government, announcing October 30, 2021, as the independence day of the region. 

In videos obtained by SaharaReporters, some armed men who identified themselves as members of the Biafran National Guard were seen saying they were ready for war. 

In one of the videos, a man could be heard saying, "The liberation of Biafra has just begun. Today is Day 2 of our glorious week. You can see Biafran National Guards are already on the ground and they are on the move to go and rescue the prisoners of conscience - Mrs Onyekachi Orji and the rest of them.

"This is Biafran National Guards, as you can see them, they are all on alert. You can see they are ready for war, war for the liberation of Biafra has just begun."

The camera further showed armed men in about four SUVs fuelling their vehicles.

The man behind the camera then approached a man in one of the vehicles, identifying him as the Commander, Gen Innocent Orji.

"This is the commander, Gen Innocent Orji. Sir, can you tell us what is happening here?" he had asked the commander. 

Orji had replied saying, "We want to tell them that Anambra election can never hold. We are going to declare the sovereignty of Biafra Nation.”

The unidentified man behind the camera had continued, "This is our military. Biafran National Guards are in various vehicles, ready to go and free the prisoners of conscience that have been imprisoned for almost 15 years. You can see them filling their vehicles. 

"Saturday, 30th of October is going to be the re-declaration of Biafra sovereignty."

A second video suggests the man with the camera was in a vehicle and gunshots could be heard. 

The voice had said, "Biafran National Guards have just met some soldiers; the war has just begun."

The armed men in the videos allegedly had a confrontation with men of the Nigerian Army, leading to the death of one of the BNG members.

Later on October 28, the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement confirmed the death of one of the gunmen. 

According to the statement, the gunmen allegedly attacked troops' location at Amaekpu in the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

He added: “The assailants, who were heavily armed and conveyed in several vehicles opened fire on the troops' location, but were met with stiff resistance by the troops. In the encounter, the troops neutralized one gunman, while others abandoned their vehicles and retreated in disarray with gunshot wounds. The troops also recovered a pump-action gun, among others.

“While the criminals withdrew, having been overwhelmed, they were promptly intercepted at Eda by troops of Forward Operating Base Ohaozara in Ebonyi State. The troops recovered additional three vehicles and apprehended one of the gunmen.”

IPOB : ESN repelled herdsmen who attacked Enugu communities during Anambra election — IPOB alleges

 

 The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday alleged that jihadists came to attack Enugu State while the Anambra State governorship election was ongoing, but were repelled by operatives of Eastern Security Network, ESN.

IPOB said that the attackers disguising as herdsmen to attack unsuspecting Biafrans, but the vigilance of our ESN operatives paid off as the agents of death and sorrow were repelled.

A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said that no matter how hard the enemies try, they will not allow any inch by IPOB and ESN, in Biafra land to carry out their unwarranted and callous invasion again.

IPOB statement read, “The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the command and leadership of our liberator and prophet Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to reiterate that the mandate of Eastern Security Network, ESN, is to pursue Fulani terrorists, bandits and killer herdsmen hiding in the bushes and forests of Biafraland.”

“While the election in Anambra State was going on the enemies deployed terrorists disguising as herdsmen to Enugu State to attack unsuspecting Biafrans but the vigilance of our ESN operatives paid off as these agents of death and sorrow were repelled.

“No matter how hard they try we will not allow any inch of Biafra land to be invaded by terrorists again. Never again shall ESN and IPOB allow Biafran women and girls to be raped by uncircumcised terrorists. We shall continue to defend our ancestral land no matter the price

“ESN was created to ensure that these bloodsuckers are not allowed any breeding space in Biafra land. This security outfit has been living up to its responsibility, and Biafrans home and in the Diaspora are very proud of our gallant men and women serving in ESN.

“The enemies and their sponsors thought they could take us unawares but unfortunately for them, our gallant ESN operatives keep vigil over the entire Biafra land 24 hours.

“We warn the sponsors of these jihadists and their foot soldiers to stop wasting their time because no part of Biafra land will be occupied by terrorists.

“We again, call on the Fulani-controlled Federal Government of Nigeria to organize a referendum for Biafra people to decide on whether or not they want to continue to belong to Nigeria or have their own country.

“The forced marriage by Britain can no longer work. Biafrans and tired of staying together with mass murderers. We can’t continue to live in a country where the lives of our people have no values.

“We will no longer belong to a country where cows are valued above human lives. We want to stay on our own where we can guarantee the lives and safety of our people.

“We assure Biafrans that ESN operatives will continue to stand on the watchtower since the hypocritical NIGERIA security agents have refused to protect our people against Fulani killer squad masquerading as herdsmen.”

 

Army, DSS didn’t create Biafra National Guard, unknown gunmen —Official

 

The Nigerian Army has reacted to claims that the Force and the Department of State Services created the Biafra National Guard and the unknown gunmen in the South-East.

The Army described the claims as a hoax employed by the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network to diminish the public support Exercise Golden Dawn is getting in the South-East.

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Conspiracy Pretext Employed By IPOB/ESN, A Hoax,’ issued on Saturday.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Army(NA) is not unmindful of the antics of individuals or groups whose stock in trade is to peddle falsehood and disinformation to remain relevant in South-East Nigeria. One of such scheming, currently in the media domain is the mischievous submission by Kalu Odinakachi, who alleged that the DMI and DSS created and funded BNG, UGM to Enforce-Sit- at Home in a bid to discredit IPOB/ESN. It must be abundantly clarified that this spurious allegation is unfounded and could be absolutely described as a hoax.

“Though the NA would not like to elevate such purveyors of disinformation and propaganda, it is expedient to put on record, that in recent times, the activities of IPOB/ESN have undoubtedly assumed a violent dimension. This unimaginable level of violence is oiled with propaganda and disinformation to whip-up sentiments and draw sympathy from unsuspecting citizens in the region.

“For the records, the proscribed organisation has in recent times foisted a sit-at-home order to show sympathy for their self-acclaimed leader. This was greeted with violence, orchestrated destruction of public installations and facilities, arson, as well as looting of shops and malls in the region, to demonstrate their criminal potency. They defiled the sanctity of the highly revered traditional institution of Ndigbos by recklessly murdering their own traditional leaders. These spineless and irresponsible actions targeted at the very people they claim they want to liberate, clearly unmask their heinous and directionless agenda for Ndigbos.

“Realising the futility, hollowness and public rejection of their violent agitation, they resorted to twisting the narrative in the region to galvanise local support. Their wild allegation that BNG and UGN were an overt operation by the DMI and DSS is not only laughable but remains largely illusive and a ploy to diminish the public support the NA is savouring in the ongoing exercises. In his blatant display of ignorance, Odinakachi failed to realise that such designation as DMI has since ceased to exist in the NA. These criminal elements with their cohorts must come to terms with the reality of the ongoing Exercise GOLDEN DAWN and turn themselves in to security agencies or be ready to face the consequences of their lawlessness. 

 

“More grotesque is the narrative peddled by these merchants of propaganda, in respect of IPOB/ESN gunmen recently eliminated by troops in a shootout at Ekwulobia Roundout in Aguata LGA. These unscrupulous elements insinuated that those taken out were Fulanis. An outrageous claim that should be disregarded in its entirety. This is apparently another failed attempt in their usual mannerism, to attribute their criminal activities to a third party and feign innocence; an indication of a visionless group totally devoid of integrity.”

The Army urged the people of the South-East to go about their normal businesses, as efforts are stepped up to rid the region of criminal elements masquerading as BNG and UGM.

“We encourage members of the public to provide actionable information to security agencies as the Exercises progress,” the statement added.

German Lawmaker, Hunko Says Buhari Government Needs Dialogue, Not Military Solution For Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu

 

The German politician also promised that the Angela Merkel-led government will help to find a remedy to prevent worsening military problems in the country 

A member of the German Parliament, Andrej Hunko has said there should be dialogue in Nigeria regarding the secession agitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and not a military solution. 

The German politician also said he will try to make it an issue in the German parliament. 

Hunko said this during an interview he granted Mirror African Diaspora, which was posted on Twitter by Biafra Twitter on Thursday.

Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor was also called to the interview. 

Hunko spoke about the declaration of IPOB as terrorist organisation by the Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu as the leader of a terrorist organisation. 

He, however, added that the European Union, United States and the United Kingdom do not share Nigeria's position that IPOB is a terrorist group. 

"As far as I understood, there is no support for this position of the Nigerian government," he said. 

He said, "I try to follow the situation. I try to understand what is the position of the German government. I think I can try to follow the position of the EU which could be an important player in the whole process and I can make a request on my request on my government, make it an issue in the German parliament. That's my position and situation at the moment."

"There has to be a dialogue solution in Nigeria and not a military solution," he added.

 

Terrorists attacked Biafrans in Enugu during Anambra poll – IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) on Sunday alleged terrorists disguising as herdsmen attacked its members in Enugu.

The group said the attack took place while the election was going on in Anambra State.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the attackers were however repelled by its Eastern Security Network (ESN).

 The group reiterated its call on the Federal Government to organise a referendum for the region to decide its fate, insisting that the forced marriage by Britain could no longer work.

 The statement reads in part: “We wish to reiterate that the mandate of Eastern Security Network, ESN is to pursue terrorists, bandits and killer herdsmen hiding in the bushes and forests of Biafraland.

 “While the election in Anambra State was going on the enemies deployed terrorists disguising as herdsmen to Enugu State to attack unsuspecting Biafrans but the vigilance of our ESN operatives paid off as these agents of death and sorrow were repelled.

“No matter how hard they try we will not allow any inch of Biafra land to be invaded by terrorists again.

“Never again shall ESN and IPOB allow Biafran women and girls to be raped by uncircumcised terrorists. We shall continue to defend our ancestral land no matter the price!

“We warn the sponsors of these Jihadists and their foot soldiers to stop wasting their time because no part of Biafra land will be occupied by terrorists.

“Biafrans are tired of staying together with mass murderers. We can’t continue to live in a country where the lives of our people have no values. We will no longer belong to a country where cows are valued above human beings.

“We assure Biafrans that ESN operatives will continue to stand on the watchtower since the hypocritical NIGERIA security agents have refused to protect our people against killer squad masquerading as herdsmen.”