The event of December 22nd, 2016 has once more demonstrated the
fact that Biafrans are under one central command of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of
IPOB. It has also shown that Biafrans are disciplined and non-violent in their
approach to self-determination because no single incident was recorded. As
Biafrans were not attacked at the event by the murderous Nigerian security
operatives, the entire world can see that there were peace and tranquility at
Enugu and elsewhere in Biafraland. The question now becomes, why did Buhari
order the Nigerian Army to attack and murder defenceless and law-abiding
Biafrans at Aba, Nkpor, Igweocha (PortHarcourt) and Onitsha?
Why would Buhari always resort to brute force in responding to
people exercising their fundamental human rights? Is it because of his lack of
formal secondary and tertiary education and non-existent leadership training?
The entire world must know that Muhammadu Buhari stayed away from Biafraland
for fear of incurring the wrath of angry Biafrans who were ready to die with
him if he had dared to step his feet in Biafraland. Any other concocted story
on why Buhari cowardly stayed away is a figment of the imagination of those
telling such stories. Already we are aware of certain politicians from
Biafraland who stole their state blind and are supposed to be cooling their
heels in EFCC gulag but are temporarily left off the hook because of the
spoiler role and anti-Biafra propagandist activities they volunteered to
undertake.
These politicians are now advancing reasons why Buhari cowardly
stayed away from Biafraland, but we know they are lying. Given the bare-faced
lies from these politicians, we wish to warn that misrepresentation of facts
and outright lies is something IPOB is not comfortable with. Any politician or
persons wishing to be regarded as serious intermediary in the quest to
emancipate our people must be truthful at all times. Any attempt to spin
information or play to the gallery will be met with instant repudiation and
termination of that person's involvement in the affairs of IPOB.
Our leader is an uncompromising straight forward Biafran first
and foremost. Any attempt to misrepresent his views or that of IPOB will be
resisted. IPOB has created the enabling environment for politicians of
different persuasions willing to repent from their old criminal past all across
Biafraland to work together to salvage what is left of their tattered
reputation. Muhammadu Buhari must understand that the quest for the restoration
of the nation of Biafra is unquenchable, unstoppable, and irreversible. We
advise Buhari to toe the path of peace to engender a conducive environment that
will restore the confidence of investors who are leaving Nigeria in droves on a
daily basis since he became the ruler of the country.
To achieve this, we demand as follows: 1) Buhari must release
the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, along with other Biafran detainees. Other
political detainees including Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky and Sambo Dasuki must
also be released.
2) Buhari must announce a date for Biafrexit Referendum, and 3)
Buhari must convene a public enquiry into the massacre of IPOB family members
as documented by Amnesty International. Without the above palliatives,
restoring normalcy to Nigeria remains a pipe dream. We are bold to state that
Nigeria is heading irreversibly in the direction of dismemberment which will be
to the benefit of the three distinct nations of Arewa, Oduduwa, and Biafra that
make up the country called Nigeria.
It is an undeniable fact that when the history of
restructuring or disintegration is written about Nigeria, only three names will
stand out namely; Radio Biafra, IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu. Once more, we salute the
uncommon courage exhibited by IPOB in chasing Muhammadu Buhari away from
Biafraland. IPOB is stating emphatically that should BUHARI decide to come to
Biafraland anytime in the future, we shall be waiting to die with him.
Signed Barrister Emma Nmezu,
Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya Spokespersons for IPOB
To all Yoruba commentators supporting secret
trial of Nnamdi Kanu.
Stop your infantile digression and address this simple question.
Was Chief Obafemi Awolowo's treason trial, mind
you not treasonable felony, conducted in public or secret? Another question you
must answer is this, was the then Action Group and today's IPOB the same? Which
of the two do you consider more dangerous, in view how the former spread
anarchy through major Yoruba towns at the time? I put these questions to you in
the hope that you are a student of history.
Some of you Yoruba e-rats foolishly forget that
there is a discipline called history. It records major events of our lives and
preserves such for posterity. Awolowo was charged, tried in the open and
convicted of the more serious charge of treason which is a capital offence. He
was dumped in Calabar prison until Ojukwu released him. Yes Ojukwu an Igbo man
and leader of Biafra granted pardon to Awolowo and released him to Yoruba
people. It wasn't Hausa Fulani North that released Awolowo, it was a Biafran.
These are verifiable historical facts cleverly
hidden by the hegemonic Yoruba gutter media, hence all of you e-rats continue
to wallow in stupefying ignorance till date. This is IPOB! We deconstruct our
enemies with facts and figures that is why Nnamdi Kanu's court case is a
blessed opportunity for we Biafrans to lay bare before the world and human
conscience everything wrong with the Zoo and why it should not be one. Some of
you Yoruba internet rats in support of secret trial must know that the
godfather of Yoruba politics Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a convicted felon and
that is a tag Nnamdi Kanu can never be associated with. If Awolowo that
committed treason was tried in the public with full media attendance, how much
more Kanu answering to the lesser charge of treasonable felony. This is why
white people assert with some degree of accuracy that black people cannot
reason. This hypocritical attitude of some of you social commentators is
indicative of the underlying pathological hatred you people have towards Igbos,
which is largely driven by envy.
My question to Yoruba media practitioners is
this, would you have supported a secret trial for your Chief Obafemi Awolowo?
Within your predictable answer lies the reason why Nnamdi Kanu and his
supporters don't want anything to do with Nigeria. You are vindictive, spiteful
race of envious cowards. Then why are you in support of secret trial for Kanu.
Do you now see how terrible you Yoruba people are as human beings? No wonder
Hausa Fulani took Kwara State from you cowards. May Chukwu Okike Abiama have
mercy on you.
The Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) have sent out a severe
warning to President Muhammadu Buhari.
In
a statement released by one of its spokesman, IPOB said President Buhari must
stay away from regions now tagged “Biafraland:”.
According
to the statement, Buhari must stay away, lets he taste of the wine of the
Biafrans’ wrath, for unjust things done to pro-Biafrans across the country.
Below
is the statement issued on Monday, December 19, signed by Barrister Emma Nmezu
and Dr Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, spokespersons for the IPOB.
The
statement reads: “MUHAMMADU BUHARI MUST STAY CLEAR OF BIAFRALAND OR HAVE
HIMSELF TO BLAME FOR THE OUTCOME OF ANY SUCH VISIT”
“The
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have received information that Retired Major
General Muhammadu Buhari who committed treason on December 31, 1983, and was
rewarded with Nigeria’s presidency after 32 years, will be visiting
Enugu-Biafraland on the 22nd of December, 2016.
We
assert that inviting a killer aznd persecutor of Biafrans to our land is an
insult to the memory of those killed by Muhammadu Buhari.
Therefore,
we object totally to this visit by the killer of Biafrans. We recall that
Buhari started his killing of Biafrans with the assassination of Major General
J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi on July 29, 1966.
He
followed up with the mass-murder of over two million Biafrans in 1968 at Owerri
during the war of genocide on Biafra by Nigeria and Britain. From June 17,
2015, till date, Buhari has killed over two thousand unarmed and peaceful
Biafrans.
We
warn any governor or Igbo politician that receives Buhari in Enugu will have
himself or herself to blame.
We make it public that should there be a breakdown of law and order in Enugu on
the 22nd of December, greedy Igbo politicians will have themselves to blame.
Any
Igbo governor or politician that is found among those hobnobbing with Buhari
the killer of Biafrans becomes an enemy of the people and shall pay dearly for
it.
Until
all those detained are released, and Amnesty International report investigated,
Buhari is not allowed into any part of Biafraland. Let Buhari know that if he
(Buhari) comes to Enugu or any part of Biafraland, we will die with him there.
We
are calling on all Biafrans to descend on Enugu on the said date of 22 December
2016 to show our anger and displeasure at this attempt by some greedy Igbo men
to insult the memory of our glorious dead and those still in detention with our
leader.
Should
Buhari attempt to set foot on Enugu soil everybody involved, from Bart Nnaji to
Governor Ugwuanyi will regret it.
These
criminal Igbo politicians without any iota of shame must know that Buhari is
the Grand Patron of the terrorist Fulani Herdsmen that have been rampaging and
killing our people in Enugu and other parts of Biafraland in the name of Islam.
Buhari
is the person behind the rise of the terrorist Fulani Herdsmen and must be made
to know that we Biafrans are not in support of sponsors of terrorism. We are
the children of the Most High God and do not associate with mass murderers like
Buhari.
Therefore
we don’t want him anywhere around our sacred land.
Any
Governor or Igbo politician who is stupid enough to invite Buhari into our
capital will be taught a lesson that will reverberate in history. They should
try us and see.
A word is enough for the wise!”
Biafra:
unlawful Detention Of Nnamdi Kanu, EU MEPS Writes A Powerful Letter To HR/VP
MOGHERINI – MaynaijaNews. MUST READ!
JOINT LETTER
FROM MEPS TO HR/VP MOGHERINI
Ms Federica
Mogherini
High
Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
European
External Action Service
1046
Brussels
Belgium
19th
December 2016
Dear Ms
Mogherini,
We write in
regards to the unlawful detention of Nwannekaenyi “Nnamdi” Kenny Okwu Kanu, a
dual British-Nigerian citizen and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB), and the continued violence towards IPOB supporters as perpetrated by
the Nigerian Government.
Since 14th
October 2015, Kanu has been illegally imprisoned by the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, despite being acquitted of all charges brought against him.
The
authorities accused Kanu and his two co-defendants, Benjamin Madubugwu and
David Nwawuisi, of trying to overthrow the Nigerian head of state by
broadcasting secessionist propaganda on the underground media outlet Radio
Biafra, which campaigns for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria. Kanu,
Madubugwu and Nwawuisi deny all charges brought against them.
On 19th
October in Abuja, the Chief Magistrate, Honourable Shuaibu, discharged Kanu of
all criminal charges including the allegation of managing and belonging to an
unlawful society, criminal intimidation and of criminal conspiracy. Shuaibu
granted Kanu bail, of which all the conditions were met, but the Department of
State Services refused to release him.
The charges
of criminal conspiracy, engaging in unlawful society and criminal intimidation
were then withdrawn on 16th December 2015, but still Kanu, Madubugwu and
Nwawuisi have not been released.
On 17th
December 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered the unconditional release of
Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Security Services, but this
was not enacted.
Kanu’s
counsel have since appealed to the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) to help ensure his safe release, but to no avail. A court case on 5th
October 2016 was later adjourned to 8th November, which has now been amended to
9th February 2017, due to the Nigeria Department of State Services failure to
bring Kanu to court. The Federal Government of Nigeria had previously warned
the ECOWAS community court sitting in Abuja not to intervene in Kanu’s
continued detention and trial.
It is clear
that the fundamental human rights of Kanu, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi are being
grossly violated. Human Rights Watch have reported of the violation of the
defendants’ rights, including their right to a fair trial[1].
What is
more, the Nigerian Government is also reportedly violating the human rights of
Biafran activists. Scores of Biafrans are in detention for attempting to hold
or participate in peaceful assemblies. On several occasions, security forces
have used excessive force against pro-Biafran activists who have planned or
attended peaceful protest marches[2]. Amnesty International has documented
cases of arrest, enforced disappearance, torture and often killing of
supporters and members of various pro-Biafran groups in the region[3]. Since
August 2015, they estimate at least 150 Biafrans have been killed by Nigerian
security forces. However, as no official investigations have been carried out,
this figure is believed to be much higher[4].
The right to
peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right of freedom of expression,
is protected by the Nigerian constitution. International human rights standards
also require that law enforcement officials must, as far as possible, apply
nonviolent means. It is clear that the Nigerian authorities are not operating
with respect to the Nigerian constitution or the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights.
On behalf of
the European Union, especially in respect to the EU-Nigeria partnership, the
Nigeria EU Joint Way Forward, the developments of the 6th Nigeria-EU
ministerial dialogue and the fact that Nigeria is a recipient of EU aid, we
call upon you to:
Advocate for
the immediate and safe release of Nnamdi Kanu and co-defendants Benjamin
Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
Challenge the actions of the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and the
Nigerian Department of State Services in regards to the detention of Kanu,
Madubugwu and Nwawuisi.
Call for an impartial investigation into the arrest, enforced disappearance,
torture and killing of supporters and members of various pro-Biafran groups.
Denounce the unacceptable violence against Biafran supporters by Nigerian
security forces.
Do more to push the Nigerian government to safeguard human rights in Nigeria by
calling for guarantees on the freedom of expression of all Nigerian citizens,
including their right to protest without harm, and the termination of violence
towards Biafrans.
We look forward to your positive response.
Yours
sincerely,
Julie Ward
MEP
Ana Gomes
MEP
Bart Staes
MEP
Beatriz
Becerra MEP
Brando
Benifei MEP
Catherine Stihler
MEP
Ernest
Urtasun MEP
Eva Joly MEP
Hilde
Vautmans MEP
Jude
Kirton-Darling MEP
Kati Piri
MEP
Miapetra
Kumpula-Natri MEP
Michèle
Rivasi MEP
Nessa
Childers MEP
Pascal
Durand MEP
Philippe
Lamberts MEP
(NNAMDI KANU HAS MADE BIAFRA
POPULAR-ASARI DOKUBO)
Former Ijaw youth council president and founder of the defunct Niger Delta
people's Volunteer force (NDPVF), chief Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has said that the
Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB),
Nnamdi Kanu has made the agitation for the creation of Biafra Republic popular
in the world. ] Mr Dokubo made this statement during an interview with
'The Biafra Herald,' where he called on Igbo Elders to put hand together to
make sure Mr. Kanu regains freedom so as to allow him continue his work for the
restoration of Biafra Republic.
According to him "The
Indigenous people of Biafra have shown strength and resoluteness in the Biafra
guest, There is nobody whether you like it or not, who has popularised the
freedom of Biafra people more than the indigenous people of Biafra under Nnamdi
Kanu, let us tell ourselves the truth. It is in our collective interest that
Nnamdi Kanu comes out of that dungeon they call prison. Nnamdi Kanu should be
freed and allowed to continue working towards the restoration of Biafra, because
he has done nothing wrong.
It is never a crime to call for
self-Determination, thus he should be freed. Biafrans have to put away their
differences and make sure he comes out, When I Asari Dokubo was in detention,
Biafrans came together to bring me out. Nnamdi Kanu has done tremendously well
and has shown resoluteness in the Biafra struggle. So ought to give credit to
who it is due. We might have disagreement with him, but it is not important.
Our goal is our independence and
the good of our people. Those we call Hausa's are not all Hausa's, as they
comprise of Fulani and even Niger, yet they come together to fight against
Biafrans despite their differences. Why then, won't we Biafrans do some for our
Brother Nnamdi Kanu? Every true Biafran should endeavour to make sure that
he is releases from detention because this darkness called Nigeria will not
grant him Justice.
Family Writers
There are misconceptions: lies some Nigerians seem to feel good telling
themselves; that some not-well-informed persons hold against Biafra and the
agitation for the restoration of Biafra. In this post, I will talk about two of
them. They are:
1. Nnamdi Kanu began agitating for Biafra because ex-president Goodluck
Ebere Jonathan lost the 2015 presidential election.
2. Secession or creation of Biafra was the cause of the Biafran-Nigerian
war.
As a matter of fact, Biafra agitation didn't begin after the 2015
presidential election or because Goodluck Ebere Jonathan lost that election.
Since the end of the genocidal Biafra-Nigeria war in 1970, the desire to
restore our nation has always been in our hearts.
Since that war, Nigeria had been a military dictatorship until 1999.
Sometime around the year 2000, that's some months after Nigeria moved from
military dictatorship to “democracy”, a movement for the restoration of Biafra
began and was led, then, by Ralph Uwazurike with the Movement for the
Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). The movement gradually
lost its vigour when Ralph dabbled into Nigerian politics, and other Pro-Biafra
groups sprung up with time eventually. By the year 2012, a brilliant and
charismatic Biafran Nnamdi Kanu had started a re-energized campaign for Biafra
restoration through the Radio Biafra London platform; and IPOB (Indigenous
People Of Biafra) is a unified front and identity for all Biafrans. The then
President Of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, ignored Nnamdi Kanu and many Biafrans
knew little about him and the Radio Biafra London. Just before the 2015
Presidential election, Nnamdi Kanu, via the Radio Biafra London, advised all
Biafrans to boycott all the elections and that all Nigerian politicians, no
matter their ethnicity, were untrustworthy. So, Nnamdi Kanu was never
sympathetic to Goodluck Jonathan.
Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as the president of Nigeria on 29th May
2015. By July 14th 2015, barely two months after he became the President,
Buhari made the National Broadcasting Commission to jam the radio signals of
Radio Biafra London but wasn't successful as the radio station continued to
broadcast on both radio and the internet. So began the unwitting popularization
of Biafra by Buhari's tyranny. By August 30th 2015, Nigerian security forces,
on the orders of president Buhari, began killing and abducting Biafran
activists. Instead of being scared away, more Biafrans joined in the agitation.
The 1967-1970 genocide didn't stop Biafra and the tyranny of a
dim-witted, tinnitus-inflicted murder-in-chief cannot stop it.
Any suggestion by any so-called commentator that Nnamdi Kanu should have
waited until recently to prey on Biafrans' emotions on current Fulani-herdsmen
attacks and other state-sponsored killings is obviously dubious and lacks
empathy.
When a Nigerian says "one Nigeria", they don't mean “unity” or
“love”. They mean the conquest of Biafraland. The Nigerian federal military
government used it in its wartime propaganda and its soldiers knew their
rewards were oil exploration blocks in a conquered Biafra land.
To the Fulani oligarchs, “one Nigeria” means the expansion and
sustenance of the Fulani empire. This was really the cause of Biafran war. Not
"secession". It started as ethnic cleansing of the people of Biafra
living in other parts of Nigeria, outside Biafraland, and turned into a
genocidal war when Biafrans resisted it by deciding to stay away as an
independent nation from Nigeria.
Ojukwu didn't attack Nigeria. All he wanted was a place his people will
be safe; and our homeland was that safe place. Biafrans were forced into that
war to defend themselves from extermination when Northern Nigerian soldiers
invaded this homeland.
 |
Nnamdi Kanu
Secret Trial: International Bodies, Others To
Storm Abuja Court On Jan 10
Report filtering into our news room has it that
human rights organisations, international medias and foreign observers will all
be present to monitor the court proceedings of the detained leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra which is reportedly slated on January 10th, 2017 in
Federal High Court, Abuja.
Oriental Times recalls that
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had on December 13th upheld
federal government's request for the protection of witnesses that would be
testifying against the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
However, the trial was adjourned to 8th, 9th and 10th of January
respectively.
IPOB condemns advocates of secret trial for
Kanu
Leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has condemned, in strong
terms, those advocating that their leader, Nnamdi Kanu should under secret
trial as ruled by Justice Binta Nyako.
Condemning
especially some Yorubas who have been using the social media to say that it was
meet that Kanu should be tried in camera, IPOB asks if they would have
supported a secret trial for the late Yoruba leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
A statement
signed by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, in condemning those supporting secret
trial for Nnamdi Kanu to learn from history and stop supporting evil.
Here is the
full statement of the organisation.
“The indigenous
people of Biafra IPOB worldwide and it’s leadership condemn those Nigerians
supporting secret trial for mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
“To all Yoruba
and other Nigerian commentators supporting secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu. Stop
your infantile digression and address this simple question.
“Was Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s treason
trial, mind you not treasonable felony, conducted in public or secret? Another
question you must answer is this, was the then Action Group and today’s IPOB
the same? Which of the two do you consider more dangerous, in view how the
former spread anarchy through major Yoruba towns at the time? I put these
questions to you in the hope that you are a student of history.
“Some of you e-rats who forget that
there is a discipline called history. It records major events of our lives and
preserves such for posterity.
“Chief Obafemi
Awolowo was charged, tried in the open and convicted of the more serious charge
of treason which is a capital offence. He was dumped in Calabar prison until
Ojukwu released him.
“Yes Chief
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu an Igbo man and leader of Biafra granted pardon to
Awolowo and released him to Yoruba people. It wasn’t Hausa Fulani North that
released Chief Awolowo, it was a Biafran.
“These are
verifiable historical facts cleverly hidden by the hegemonic forgot to tell
since the release of chief Awolowo, hence all of you e-rats continue to wallow
in stupefying ignorance till date.
“This is IPOB!
We deconstruct our enemies with facts and figures that is why Nnamdi Kanu’s
court case is a blessed opportunity for we Biafrans to lay bare before the
world and human conscience everything wrong with the contraption called Nigeria
and why it should not be one.
“Some of you
who are internet rats in support of secret trial must know that the godfather
of Yoruba politics Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a convicted felon and that is a
tag Nnamdi Kanu can never be associated with.
“If Chief
Awolowo that committed treason was tried in the public with full media
attendance, how much more Nnamdi Kanu answering to the lesser charge of
treasonable felony.
“This is why
white people assert with some degree of accuracy that black people cannot
reason. This hypocritical attitude of some of you social commentators is
indicative of the underlying pathological hatred you people have towards Igbos,
which is largely driven by envy.
“Our question
to those who claim to be social media practitioners is this, would you have
supported a secret trial for your Chief Obafemi Awolowo?
“Within your
predictable answer lies the reason why Nnamdi Kanu and his supporters don’t
want anything to do with Nigeria.
“You are
vindictive, spiteful race of envious and cowards you are. Then why are you in
support of secret trial for Kanu? Do you now see how terrible you saboteurs are
as human beings? No wonder Hausa Fulani took Kwara State nobody say anything.
May Chukwu Okike Abiama have mercy on you,” the organisation declares.
Tension: IPOB Set To Adopt
New Method For
Protection
Against Killings (MUST
READ)
IPOB Set To Adopt New Method For Protection Against
Killings
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said it would not
hesitate to invoke the right to self-defence should security agents attempt to
kill any of their members during peaceful protests.
The group said Biafrans were naturally law abiding and
peaceful people without the history of conquest like any other major ethnic
nationality in Nigeria.
A statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB,
Mr. Emma Powerful said it adopted non-violent approach which is one of the
stipulated and laid down rules of the United Nations.
It said IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu would at all times, abide
by the principle unless provoked.
It noted that the mission of IPOB was to get Biafra,
regardless of the human and material cost. He said there would be no talk of
negotiation until its leader, Kanu and other members detained illegally were
released unconditionally as two courts of competent jurisdiction have ruled in
Abuja.
The statement read: “We are highly committed to making
sure Biafra comes under the command of our ordained leader and prophet, Nnamdi
Kanu.
“Freedom fighting is not a child’s play. If one is not
mentally and spiritually strong or has the toughness to stay on course, that
person is advised to stay away. We are hitting the target and we want to
restore Biafra to stop the suffering of this generation and those unborn.
“The mission of IPOB is to get Biafra regardless of the
human and material cost. We want a nation where our people will be unshackled
from the chains of slavery.
“The work to restore Biafra is a call from God Almighty
and no man can stop the agitation unless Biafra is restored.
“What we are doing is voluntary work knowing well that we
are fighting for our survival and that of our children unborn.
“Nevertheless, as long as we are genuinely and
wholeheartedly fighting for the freedom of our people, we must have some
challenges; our leader is making his own sacrifices for the sake of 70 million
Biafrans worldwide. We, the followers of his gospel of restoration of Biafra
must make our own challenges in one way or the other in order for Biafra to
come.
“Many have made the supreme sacrifice at Igweocha, River
State, Aba in Abia State, Nkpor and Onitsha in Anambra State for which Biafra
and posterity will never forget.
“We shall honour all those that fell on this long and
painful march to freedom.
“IPOB, with its calculated peaceful approach has earned world
recognition. European Union, other international bodies and recognised
institutions in the world have taken time to study IPOB’s grievances.”
The Biafra Civil War from 1967-1970 resulted when the small West
African region – primarily populated by the Igbo tribe – attempted to secede
from Nigeria, a former British colony. An estimated 1-2 million people were
killed in the conflict; 40% were Igbo children who died of starvation and
malnutrition. The Igbo thought the global community would support them, but
they gained little assistance, whereas Nigeria was massively armed by the
British and Russians. Biafra was invaded and the Igbo were eventually subdued.
How are the
Igbo doing today? Have they survived economically? Are they participating in
Nigerian political affairs? Have enmities been forgiven?
To find out, I
interviewed Kelechi Anyanwu (pen name Kelechi Deca) an Igbo journalist with
special focus on Africa’s development, and accreditations from the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group, African Development Bank
Group and African Union. A graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, he has
worked extensively on the history, culture, and traditions of the Igbo people.
Can you tell me
how your own family, friends, and village or city was involved with the war?
I am from
Ezinihitte Mbaise, Local Government area of Imo State, my family lost two
members during the war. One was conscripted as a soldier at the age of 21; the
other was a lady who died as a result of shrapnel from shelling by the Nigerian
artillery. I have not heard of a family that came out of the war fully intact
without losing one or two members. The famine as a result of the food blockade
affected my family too, three young people suffered from Kwashiokor, one never
recovered fully - she developed mental problems after the war as a result of
the after effects.
What were the
main reasons for Biafra’s attempt at secession in 1967-1970?
Igbo people
believed that their continued existence in Nigeria was threatened - that their
lives and property were not protected, as exemplified by killings of Igbo
people in other parts of Nigeria while the government did nothing. Igbo people
lost trust in Nigeria, and the sincerity of Nigeria to protect them and other
ethnicities in the Eastern Region of Nigeria. Also, the people of the Eastern
Region felt that the resources being used to run Nigeria was majorly oil from
their region, with other regions not contributing enough to the commonwealth.
Are the Igbo
still angry at nations that helped Nigeria, like Britain, Russia, Egypt, the
USA?
I wouldn’t say
they are still angry but they have not stopped asking questions as to why the
whole world seems to have conspired to obliterate the Igbo from the face of the
earth. For example the Biafra War was in the thick of the Cold War, yet Britain
worked seamlessly with Russia with the connivance of the United States
government to destroy a relatively unarmed people whose only sin was that they
tried to defend themselves against a blood-thirsty aggressor. The feeling among
the Igbo was that the world conspired to stop the birth of a nation that was
set to challenge the evils of colonialism and liberate the African continent.
This also refers to the sitting-on-the-fence approach that France adopted. Igbo
people believe that if France gave them full support, instead of piecemeal
support, they would have won.
Do the Igbo
have affection for the nations that recognized or helped them? Tanzania, Gabon?
Cote d’Ivoire? Haiti?
Extremely. The
majority of Igbo still see those countries as friendly nations. During the Haiti
Earthquake, Igbo people felt very concerned. Many of the relief campaigns
carried out for that cause were promoted by Igbo people. Aside from seeing
Haiti as their kith and Kin, they see them as kindred nation. Gabon is like a
second home to the Igbo, same affection is extended to Cote d’Ivoire and
Tanzania.
I just read the
novel Half a Yellow Sun - by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Is it a popular book in
Igbo-Land?
It is a very
popular book, but there are hundreds of other books about Biafra that have been
written, what made Half of a Yellow Sun so popular was that it was published at
a time when there is massive resurgence of pro-Biafran consciousness.
Is there
freedom of speech to talk about the Biafra War today?
Yes, there is,
especially among the young. Most of whom were not even born at the time. But it
has not always been so; 20 to 30 years ago no one dared mention the name
Biafra. All that has changed. There are various online groups, talk shows,
lectures, and books on Biafra, even a guerrilla radio, called Radio Biafra.
Have opposing
sides forgiven each other? Is there still tension between Igbo and Hausa (a
Northern Nigerian tribe)? Between Igbo and other groups?
Biafra is like
a scar on the palm. Other ethnic nationalities prefer it is just forgotten, but
the Igbo still feel the pain of Biafra because they believe Nigeria has not
done enough to assimilate the Igbo people. I do not think it has healed.
The Igbo want
other ethnic nationalities to stop acts that delegitimize their pains and
sufferings. They call for justice, especially for some acts that could pass as
genocidal, and above all an apology from Nigeria. They believe that until these
issues are looked into the pains of Biafra may not heal.
Igbo also do
not feel included in Nigerian politics. They have been singing the
marginalization song.
Do many Igbo
still wish to have a separate nation? Are there Igbo who still wish for
secession?
Yes there are, mostly the younger people. They feel frustrated
by Nigeria and strongly believe that Nigeria is holding them down. They openly
call for secession, and in some Igbo villages, you easily see flags of Biafra
hanging from tall structures, and young people wearing T-shirts with the Biafra
emblem on it.
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