Pro-Biafra protest turns bloody in Aba as Ten people were killed and another 20 were injured

A protest staged by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the prolonged detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, turned bloody on Tuesday, February 9, in Aba, Abia state.

The Nation reports that 10 people were killed and another 20 were injured as a result of the clash between the protesters and security agencies.

According to unconfirmed reports, over 30 IPOB members are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Aba, while another 20 have been arrested by the police.

An IPOB official who pleaded for anonymity said that the protesters gathered at Ibo National High School for prayers.

“In the morning, we gathered at Ibo National High School for prayers and address by the Aba coordinator

“While the prayers were on, we noticed police patrol vans and because we locked the gate, they could not enter. They attempted to scale the fence, but could not. Shortly after, soldiers came in Hilux vans and scaled the fence.

“When they entered, they asked for our coordinator but we resisted them. The next thing we heard was gunshot. I can’t say how many died because there was a stampede as people tried to escape,” he said.

He revealed that the security agents arrested the group’s coordinator in Aba identified as Ikechukwu and some of his assistants.

He further stressed that no amount of killings or intimidation would discourage the IPOB from pursuing its cause. He added that the protest would continue on Friday, February 12.

When contacted, Ezekiel Onyeke, the spokesman of the Abia state police command, said that he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

Meanwhile, a source at the 144 Battalion at Ukwa West denied the allegation that soldiers shot members of the IPOB. He revealed the arrested protesters had been handed over to the police for further investigation.

Vanguard reports that on the same day Enugu police arrested 25 members of IPOB, who had gathered at the Naira Triangle in preparation for a protest march tagged “Mother of All Protest Marches”.

The march was nipped in the bud by security agents who stormed the venue where the protesters were trooping in numbers.

As a result of the physical show of strength between IPOB and security agents, many protesters sustained injuries. Many took to their heels when the police released shots of tear gas into the crowd.

Emma Powerful, the media and publicity officer of IPOB, blasted the security agents for their attitude towards protesters. She stressed that IPOB is not a violent group and its members were gathering for a peaceful march.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations in Abia state under the auspices of the Abia Human Rights Agenda condemned “the killing of defenceless protesters”.

The group called on the chief of army staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, and the inspector general of police, Solomon Arase, to launch investigations into the events and prosecute those found culpable.

Speaking with journalists in Aba, the group lamented that over 15 people lost their lives in pro-Biafra protests in the city and described the situation as unacceptable.

“Over 10 people lost their lives during the protest against the detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Several others sustained various degrees of injuries as security agents clashed with protesters. Security agents must restrict themselves to the rules of their engagements in crisis situation,” the group said.

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Drama As Nnamdi Kanu Arrives Court, Refuses To Remove Handcuff And Come Down From Van

Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and operator of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu on Tuesday morning arrived the Federal High Court Abuja for the commencement of his trial, but refused to come down from the prison van. 

This led the prison officials to call his lawyer, Chuks Mouma, who after much persuasion was able to get Kanu to came down from the vehicle. He however refused to take off the handcuffs on him even while being led to the courtroom. 

The Department of State Services, DSS, had arraigned the embattled Director of Radio Biafra before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same court on a six-count charge of treasonable felony but the matter could not be continued following Kanu’s vote of no confidence on Mohammed. Following Kanu’s vote of no confidence on the judge, the matter was brought before Justice John Tsoho.

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Biafra: Court refuse to grant release of Nnamdi Kanu’s international passports

The trial of the embattled Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu commenced on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja with his counsel, Chuks Mouma filing an application seeking the court to order the prosecution to release all items not needed in the prosecution of the case.

Mouma in his application urged the court to order the prosecution to release some of the defendants items being held as evidence if they are not relevant to the case.

He listed the items as, $2,200, N87,000 and the defendant’s international passport.

“Bail has been denied the defendants and they are in security prison and as such they can not escape or run away.”

Mouma also urged the court to dismiss the application by the prosecution seeking protection of the witnesses due to the nature of the case and that the defendants be trial secretly.

He said, “The defendants are not facing terrorism charges so the question of facing secret trial” should be discountenance by the court.

In his response, the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed S. Diri, who is the Director of Public Prosecution, opposed the application for the release of some exhibit to be tendered in the course of the the trial because all the items being held by the prosecution are relevant to case.

Diri argued that due process was not followed in filing the application as the defence counsel ought to have directed the application to the Attorney General of the Federation who has the power to release those exhibits and not the court.

On the issue of the passport, Diri said, “The fact that Kanu is before this court today indicated that he sneaked into the country without using both his British and International passport.”

He added that the passports and other items are relevant to the prosecution hence prayed the court to “dismiss and discountenance the application seeking for the release of evidence.”

Justice John Tsoho, in his ruling, dismissed the application for the release of items held as exhibit, stressing that the application lacks merit.

Tsoho thereafter adjourned the matter till February 19.

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Nnamdi Kanu: Ex-Militants Threaten To Blow Up Hijacked Ship With Foreign Crew

A group of ex Niger Delta Militants has hijackrd a ship off the Bakassi Peninsula coast line and threatened to blow it up with its foreign crew if detained Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is not released

The group, which said it was in support of the agitation for the creation of a Biafran state, gave the Federal Government a 31-day ultimatum to release Kanu or it would be forced to carry through its threat.crew if detained Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is not released.

Also, the group, in a Saturday statement in Port Harcourt through its spokesman who identified himself as General Ben, said it might not wait for the expiration of the 31-day ultimatum to carry out its threat.

He said: “We cannot wait till the end of the 31 days to tell the Federal Government that we are serious. The vessel and the crew are under custody.

“And any noise, any delay from government, we will blow up everything. We will blow the vessel and everybody in the vessel will go down. “We are not interested in the country that owns the vessel. What we know is that the vessel was coming to Nigeria to lift oil. We are not interested;; once it is blown up, let the country and Nigeria resolve the matter.

“We are in touch with everything happening around the IPOB leader.

“Now, court has denied him bail, saying because of his dual citizenship, he might jump bail. We also heard that the judge said he would rather give the matter an accelerated hearing.

“This is provocative; hence we did not waste time to go into action. We are in support of the Biafra struggle.

“We will not retreat or surrender. The federal government might have taken our ultimatum as an empty threat. But, we will surprise them,” the statement read.

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Court denies Nnamdi Kanu bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down a bail request by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The court said on Friday that Mr. Kanu must remain in prison pending his trial for alleged treason.

Mr. Kanu has been in detention since his arrest in October.

The government accuses him of running an underground radio that spreads hate messages in a push for the creation of independent state of Biafra. He had earlier been granted bail twice by the courts, but the government refused to release him.

  The Federal government recently filed fresh six-count charges against the embattled leader      of Indigenous People of Biafra.

  The government is blaming Kanu for plotting to divide Nigeria, by creating a Biafra Republic with south-east, south-south states, and parts of Kogi and Benue states, as component units

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BIAFRA: MASSOB accuses Uwazuruike of plans to attack secretariat

The Uchenna Madu-led faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has accused ousted leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, of plotting to attack its secretariat at Okwe, Onuimo council in Imo State, in order to restore himself as the group’s leader.

The group warned Uwazuruike to stem the plan as it will resist such attempts, even as it appealed security agencies to come to its aid.

“Uwazuruike is under pressure because he never fought for the Igbo cause. That is why we are appealing to security agencies to come to our aid as our demonstration for Biafra is peaceful. We will resist Uwazuruike fire-to-fire if security agencies fail to arrest him.

“We will not watch him take over our headquarters. He has mortgaged our future to politicians,” Madu said.

Read Also : Biafra appoints Electoral commission chairman. Fix election date

The group reiterated its insistence for the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM), Ben Onwuka, and other Biafra activists in detention.

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Treason: Court To Decide On Nnamdi Kanu’s Bail Application Friday

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed  Friday January for ruling on the bail application brought by the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr. Kanu and two others are charged with treason. The court yesterday heard legal arguments over his bail application. Prosecution counsel Mohammed Diri argued that the application put up by the defense does not satisfy the requirements of the Evidence Act.

He urged the court to consider the weighty evidence against the accused, including a statement in which he admitted that he was a British citizen; that he sneaked into Nigeria without a passport, and that he was the operator of Radio Biafra in London, and asked that the application be refused.

Objecting, the defence counsel, M.U Udechukwu, told the court that the document being cited by the prosecution has not been admitted by the court in evidence, and that the prosecution therefore lacks the right to make reference to it before the court.

 He argued that there are procedures to be followed before such a document can be admitted as an exhibit, and therefore prayed the court to grant the defendant bail as the offense committed is not a capital offence.

Earlier, a mild drama ensued in the court premises when Kanu was brought in handcuffed, but refused to come out of the prison vehicle because of the press cameras.  His co-accused, who were also in
handcuffs, had already alighted.

An alternative entrance in the back of the court was eventually found and Kanu was ushered into the court through the elevator that is normally reserved for judges.

A similar drama followed the hearing when Kanu, exchanging greetings with friends and relatives, was reluctant to move towards the elevator as demanded by prison officials, pointed warning fingers at them and dared them to hurt him.

The situation nearly led to fisticuffs before it was brought under control and he was led into the prison vehicle.                       
Kanu is standing trial on six of treason preferred against him by the federal government.

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UK And USA rejects Biafra passport, Voters card and National Identity Card

The hope of recongnizing Biafra as an Independent country took a disappointing dip as the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) revealed that they do not accept the Biafran passport because the supposed independent country is not recognised.

The Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State Of Biafra (MASSSOB) had insisted a fortnight ago that the Biafran passport was valid all over the world except Nigeria and urged its supposed citizens to use it to secure visa for international travel.

MASSOB through Sunny Okereafor, the national director of information explained that the travel document costs N5,000 while its renewal costs N2,000.

“I assure you that the Biafran passport is valid. Except Nigeria, other countries of the world accept Biafran passport and allow our citizens to travel with it. In Europe, North and South America, Biafran passport is accepted. Nigeria is the only country that seizes Biafran passport. Go to neighbouring Ghana here, they will stamp the passport for you. Don’t be confused by the propaganda of the Nigerian government that there is nothing like Biafra passport.

“MASSOB appeals to Biafran citizens to procure their passport and use it to travel. If you doubt me, get a Nigerian passport while I have my Biafran passport; when we get to Europe, you will see who they will welcome than the other. Many people with the Nigerian passport have been repatriated, but have you heard of anybody with Biafran passport receiving such ill-treatment?”

Frank Sellin, the deputy public affairs officer at the consulate said “the United States does not consider passports purporting to be from a Biafra entity to be a valid legal document for purposes of visa issuance.”

Mr. Joe Abuku who is the press and public affairs officer at the British high commission in Abuja said the UK does not recognize the Biafran passport and as the country did not support the secession during the civil war and thus its stance has not changed. 

“The answer is unequivocally ‘no’. The UK does not recognize the so-called Biafran passport

“The position of the UK Government during the Biafran War is a matter of historical record. The UK Government’s position, which reflected the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid down at independence.

“The Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government’s commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, the federal government insisted that it does not recognise the Biafran passport as the supposed independent country does not exist as the region is still part of Nigeria.

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Biafra: Militants give Federal Government 31-day ultimatum to release Nnamdi Kanu

 

Niger Delta ex-militant leaders in support of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) struggle have given Federal Government 31-day deadline to free the leader of the group and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, or face the consequences.

Also, the former warlords warned security agencies against tampering with the life of the IPOB leader, who is detained at Kuje Prison. Spokesperson of the concerned ex-militants, simply identified as General Ben, warned that at the expiration of the ultimatum, they would resume massive abduction of expatriates as a first step.

The spokesperson declared that Federal Government should not underrate the activities of the militants in the Niger Delta, no matter the number of soldiers deployed against them.
He fumed: “The ex-militant leaders in Ebeocha IPOB are warning the Federal Government and are giving them 31 days to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra.

“We are giving Federal Government deadline; if they fail to release him, the country would be vandalised. He is fighting a just cause. Nothing should happen to him and Federal Government should not forget what we can do,” he threatened.

They accused the Federal Government of marginalising a section of the country, pointing out that the approach of the Presidency on issues bordering on the entire geo-political zones were  treated unjustly and with bias.

Speaking on the recent invasion of the homes of their colleagues by security operatives, General Ben said the action was meant to intimidate them. “Federal Government wants to use that way to harm us. But we are warning that they (FG) should not forget our capabilities. They think we can be intimidated by that approach. No way!

“Federal Government should know that the detention of Nnamdi Kanu and raid of the residences of our colleagues are enough reasons to collapse the society.”

“It is sad. We are not happy because things are not working the right way in the country. We are marginalised and hunted. We are saying ‘enough is enough’. We are no longer interested in this country again,” he declared. (Sunday Sun)

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Nnamdi Kanu names baby from jail

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has finally given the name to his handsome son. The son of the Biafra leader, who is currently in custody, will be called Nnabuikem. Nnabuikem literally means ‘God is my strength’. Uchechi Okwu Kanu delivered a bouncing baby boy on January 5.

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Nnamdi Kanu transfered to Kuje prisons

The Federal Government, yesterday, arraigned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, before a Justice James Tsoho led prosecution at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on a six-count criminal charge bordering on treasonable felony.

In the charge, the Federal Government alleged that the accused persons committed treasonable felony by spear-heading an illegal agitation for the seccession of ‘Biafra Republic’ from Nigeria, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The Federal Government alleged Nnamdi kanu, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. were accused of managing the affairs of IPOB, which it described as ‘an unlawful society.’

But after the accused persons pleaded innocence to the charge, yesterday, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri. who is personally prosecuting the case for the government, applied for them to remain in custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, pending the determination of the case against them.

Diri insisted that it would be more convenient for the prosecution to produce the accused persons to court from the DSS detention facility for trial than from Kuje prison.
He cited security reasons, saying that anything could happen on the way while bringing the Mr Nnamdi Kanu to court from the prison.

He said “‘The nature of the offence and the response of friends, relatives and sympathisers of the defendants that we have seen, particularly when the case was before the Magistrate’s Court, is what has prompted this application.

“I have no personal interest against the accused persons. I am only doing my job as the prosecutor and the DPP of the federation,” Diri said.

But Nnamdi Kanu counsel, Chief Chuks Muoma, opposed Mr Diri application. He stated that his client would rather prefer to be remanded in prison custody than a DSS facility.

At the end after listening to both parties, Justice James Tsoho, over-ruled the DPP and remanded the Mr Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje prison.

He said  ”’I have given due consideration to arguments by the two counsels. It is my respectful view that after arraignment, the appropriate and constitutional pace for remand of an accused person is the prison except when there is an extra-ordinary reason.

”It is my view that the complainant have all it takes to provide logistic and security requirements not withstanding the distance between the prison and the court.

”Therefore, application for remand of the defendants in DSS custody is refused. Accordingly, the defendants are hereby remanded in Kuje prison pending trial.'''

The matter was adjourned till next Monday to entertain arguments on whether or not to release the accused persons on bail pending hearing and determination of the charge against him. 

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Two dies as IPOB, military clash in Aba

 AT least, two persons were feared dead in Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State on Monday following a protest by members of Indigenous People of Biafra.

The pro-Biafra supporters had defied several warnings by the state government and security agencies against protesting the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
It was gathered that the group marched through major roads in the city, chanting solidarity songs in support of their detained leader.

But the protest, it was learnt turned violent when members of the group attempted blocking the Aba-Enugu highway and were dispatched by a team of the military and police.

According to an eyewitness, the protesters regrouped inside the town around Saint Michael road to make bonfires, which attracted the presence of soldiers and the police again.

It was gathered that the soldiers tried all means to disperse them to no avail while two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets in the process.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Onyeke Udevito, said the team of the police and soldiers only dispatched protesters with tear gas.
Onyeke, however denied the knowledge of any casualty and added that 26 protesters were arrested by the police.

The state police spokesman warned members of the pro-Biafra group to desist from further protests in the city.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has warned any secessionist group against engaging in activities that could endanger the lives and property of residents of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, warned that the command would not tolerate any form of protest, procession or demonstration that would jeopardise the peace enjoyed in the state.

Mohammad spoke in a telephone interview with our correspondent while reacting to reports that pro-Biafra protesters were planning to stage a protest in Rivers State.
“We will not fail in our duty to ensure that lives and property are protected in the state and therefore, we are warning against any protest, procession or demonstration that will endanger the lives and property of law abiding citizens in the state,” Mohammad stressed.

He, however, cautioned that the state police command would not hesitate to arrest any member of a group involved in activities that could lead to the breakdown of law and order.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had on Saturday directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute any member of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra or the 

Indigenous People of Biafra who flouted the ban on illegal processions and demonstrations in the state.
Wike condemned the acts of criminality perpetrated by the Biafran agitators, who capitalised on their protests to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens of the state.

The governor had placed a ban on all forms of street protests, processions and demonstrations in November 2015 after two persons were feared killed in Oyigbo and Eleme areas of the state.

A statement on Saturday signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, indicated that the Biafran agitators were planning to embark on a violent protest in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Wike, however, called on all residents in the state to remain calm and law abiding.

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DSS to ‘secretly execute’ Kanu and Some DSS co workers ------ IPOB alleges

Nnmadi Kanu exchanging words with the DSS during one of his court sessions

Biafra Pro group (The Indigenous People of Biafra) IPOB has raised a serious allegation of the DSS planing to assasinate Mr Nnamdi Kanu and some workers of the DSS who are now having sympathy towards Nnamdi Kanu.

The statement which was published on the website of a popular Biafra media organization (Biafra Herald) alleged that Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is being tortured in detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), with the final aim to “secretly execute” him alongside others.

It went further to explain that Mr Nnamdi Kanu is seriously sick (from ulcer) and needs urgent medical attention which both his lawyers and pregnant wife have complained about.

It says and I quote "The director of DSS and Buhari are planning to kill some Igbo-Biafrans working for the DSS in other to secretly execute Nnamdi Kanu,”.

“For months now reports have been coming to us on how Nnamdi Kanu is been tortured in the dungeon of the DSS. Nnamdi Kanu is reported to be very ill and needs urgent care and treatment but the DSS on the order of Buhari have refused to grant him any treatment. 

“Some Igbo-Biafrans who are members of the DSS have expressed their displeasure and showed sympathy towards the animalistic manner Nnamdi Kanu is being treated which has led to Buhari and the director of DSS secretly plotting ways and possible manners to murder them.

The group also went further to warn President Buhari to release him (Nnamdi Kanu), and also to stop torturing him saying any harm done to him, will result to a war Nigeria can’t handle. 

He said “We are calling on all IPOB members to get ready for action as instructions will be given by our deputy. We are calling all coordinators to start mobilizing all IPOB members and be on alert.” 

READ ALSO: Drama in court today as Nnamdi Kanu tells Judge I Have No Confidence In This Court because the Federal Government wants me at all cost - (PHOTOS AND VIDEO)

Info 247 Plus spoke with the UK trained lawyer representing Nnamdi Kanu, Mr Vincent Obetta,via social media, but he failed to state the present medical condition of his client. 

He said “I don’t know his present condition or state of health because they (DSS) have refused to give me access to see him. I have made every effort to see him since 23rd of December, but I have not been given access. 

"So, I don’t know his condition now. If he is being tortured, I don’t know, but I got the rumour that he is being tortured. I am still pressing to get access to him.” 

READ ALSO: Court declares Nnamdi Kanu Innocent and free from all charges levelled against him by the Federal Government

You will recall that in December 2015, Adeniyi Ademola, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, had ordered the release of Kanu unconditionally, but surprisingly the DSS failed to comply with the order. 

Instead, it filed a suit against him before Ahmed Mohammed, another judge, at the federal high court, Abuja.

READ ALSO :Judge exempts self from hearing treason charges against Nnamdi Kanu

But in a twist of tidings  Ahmed Mohammed withdrew from the case after Kanu refused to take his plea. 

Kanu is accused of treason, ownership of unlawful society and illegal possession of firearms. 

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Biafra don't have the resources to form a country because their land is poor

The Leader of the now rested Arewa Peoples Congress (APC), Alhaji Sagir Ringim has said that the ongoing clamour for the creation of the Independent State of Biafra was a ploy to colonize the South-South.

The Waziri Ringim told Vanguard that agitation by the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB was a calculated effort to capture the economic prospects of the minority ethnic nationality in the oil rich region.

He said, “Those Indigenous People of Biafra have a hidden agenda to recolonize the South-south, capture the region, colonize the oil field for the betterment of the Igbos.”

READ ALSO : BIAFRA APPOINTS ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHAIRMAN. FIX DATE FOR ELECTION

Speaking further, the northern leader said that Biafra is not blessed with solid minerals apart from coal, saying that the geology of the region can’t support an independent country.

The former Intelligent officer of the Nigerian Army explained that “because of these natural shortcomings Igbos survived as a diaspora race than any dominant group in Nigeria”.

Ringim opined that “if the Indigenous People of Biafra are now saying that yes, we want to have Biafra, what are you going to do with more than three quarter of the Igbos who are outside the East, those in Kano, those in Lagos what are you going to do with then? You take all those people then go back to Biafra? They have no houses to live, they have no means of livelihood.”

Waziri Ringim dismissed IPOB activities as orchestrated blackmail to arm-twist other stakeholders in the polity for more economic advantage.Speaking further, the northern leader said that Biafra is not blessed with solid minerals apart from coal, saying that the geology of the region can’t support an independent country.

The former Intelligent officer of the Nigerian Army explained that “because of these natural shortcomings Igbos survived as a diaspora race than any dominant group in Nigeria”.

Ringim opined that “if the Indigenous People of Biafra are now saying that yes, we want to have Biafra, what are you going to do with more than three quarter of the Igbos who are outside the East, those in Kano, those in Lagos what are you going to do with then? You take all those people then go back to Biafra? They have no houses to live, they have no means of livelihood.”

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Biafra appoints Electoral commission chairman. Fix election date

A pro Biafra group known as the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) has appointed Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonam a catholic priest, to head the Biafra Independent National Electoral Commission (B-INEC).

This appointment was made by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) 

The  Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) was founded by chief Ralph Uwazurike after he was ousted as the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) after being accused of disloyalty and mismanagement of over 4 Billion Naira donated. 

Chief Ralph Uwazurike stated that the aim of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) is to establish an independent Biafra country without using any means of violence.

In his words, Chris Mocha the director of information explained that Fr. Aniebonam and his team of officials of B-INEC would conduct and supervise the internal election in all the offices of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) on Monday, February 22, 2016

The Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) is one of the pro Biafra movements seeking for an independent Biafra country away from Nigeria. Other are Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) headed by Nnamdi Kanu who is currently in detention

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Nnamdi Kanu lawyer contradicts himself. As evidence of kanu's apology letter surfaces.

The handwritten statement dated October 23,contained remorseful apology from the 48-year-old pro-Biafran agitator to the president and Igbo elders for insulting statements he made from UK during his broadcast.

The statement was written during his detention in the DSS camp and carries the official letterhead of DSS.

Earlier he had made an oral apology which he stated as “Reference to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil, and Pedophile is regrettable and uncalled for and for that I unreservedly apologize and will be doing so in a private letter to the President,” Kanu wrote.

But recently Kanu's lawyer,(Vincent Obetta) denied report making the round that his client tendered an apology in a separate letter to Mr Buhari.

“Until I see that [letter] I cannot comment,” he added.

      READ ALSO: My client did not apologize to Buhari

In his statement, Kanu also admitted to saying “uncomplimentary things” about former president Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders. Saying in  Africa we respect elders.

He described the IPOB as a group of people who wish to group themselves together“for the purpose of Evangelism or going out to the streets to distribute leaflets and preach the message of lawful existence of Biafra as stipulated in the UN Charter.”

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu apologises to Buhari, GEJ and Igbo leaders

Kanu stressed that there is no armed conflict agitating, adding that any reference to such is purely designed to stop the Nigerian Armed Forces ostensibly the police from coming out and killing innocent people.

Read the full text of Kanu’s statement below

“Nnamdi Kanu, Male Igbo Christian, aged 48 (i.e. born 1967, the year Biafra was announced), of Afaraukwu-Ibeku (Umuahia-North LG, Abia State), of dual Nigerian-British nationality, living in Pilkington Road, SE London, UK.

“I can confirm that I, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide is a legally registered and duly recognized body at the United Nations pursuing the rights of a specific indigenous people, in this case Biafra, to seek self-determination according to the said charter the reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made available as a result of the United Nations Declaration to seek the peaceful re-Birth of Biafra in line with international laws, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices, and economic repression.

“Opportunities no longer existed for the majority of the people, and especially young graduates to find meaningful employment in the job market, general hardship, brutal repression of civil and human rights coupled with system that shuns inward investment contributed to the thinking behind the formation of IPOB.

“The People of Biafra all over the world have particular emphasis on those residing in the diaspora it is not advised that those in Nigeria contribute. No contribution is accepted from those in political office or from organizations only individuals belonging to those organizations may choose to contribute if they wish to the volunteer force. IPOB is a group of people who may wish to group themselves together for the purpose of Evangelism or going out to the streets to distribute leaflets and preach the message of lawful existence of Biafra as stipulated in the UN Charter. There is no armed conflict agitating and any reference to such is purely designed to stop the Nigerian Armed Forces ostensibly the police from coming out and killing innocent people.

“IPOB volunteers are modeled on exactly the same tenet as the world renowned Salvation Army Front. Its ambitions are army but it does not carry any weapons. The same thing applies to the volunteers of IPOB. There is no arms training involved. I am the Director of Radio Biafra and solely responsible for the output the (genre?) of Radio Biafra is strictly to capture attention and imagination and not designed to incite anyone to violence.

“For very many years the Nigerian state and Nigerians in general have continued to witness poor economic management, fraud, corruption, and mismanagement of every sector of the economy. Therefore, as Radio Biafra programs were designed to wake up the public from their slumber and address the issues of the time, which is youth unemployment, lack of infrastructural provisions, poor electricity, an absence of rural development, and conspicuous absence of respect for human rights.

“The area as envisaged as Biafra are predominantly South-East and South-South territories having cultural, linguistic, traditional, and commonality in value system. Reference to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil, and Paedophile is regrettable and uncalled for and for that I unreservedly apologize and will be doing so in a private letter to the President. Before PMP there was the administration of Goodluck Jonathan I also said some uncomplimentary things about him and Igbo elders as well, which I now recognize should have happened because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders. All I was trying to do is draw attention to the problems afflicting society and what society is doing about it.

“The areas intended for the Biafran being espoused by Indigenous People of Biafra are Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Anambra, Bayelsa Delta, Edo (but only Igbamke), Kogi (only Igala), and Imo States. The mission statement of Radio Biafra is dedicated to the defences of the rights of the indigenous people of Biafra and ultimately the restoration of the Republic of Biafra in line with United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous People

Nnamdi Kanu

23/10/2015″

Categories: Biafra

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