Despite allegedly killing five soldiers and six civilians, outlawed secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), has lauded all Igbo, home and abroad, for obeying the sit-at-home order to honour the heroes and heroines of the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970.
Media and Publicity Secretary of IPoB, Comrade Emma Powerful, in a “thank you” statement on Friday, expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance to the order on Thursday May 30, 2024.
IPoB miscreants in action
Recall that the Nigerian Army, on Friday, disclosed that five of its soldiers and six civilians were murdered in cold blood allegedly by the members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of IPoB, and has vowed to retaliate.
Powerful, in the IPoB’s statement, however, called on governors of the South East to declare May 30 as the official day of remembrance of fallen Biafrans heroes and heroines.
He also called on the Federal Government to set free detained leader of the group, Kanu, as it has done other sectional agitators such as Sunday Igboho, Omoyele Sowore, who declared #RevolutionNow and the recent release of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore leader, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, who was charged with similar offence.
The statement reads thus:
“The Noble family and movement of the great Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the prophet of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu congratulates Biafrans, friends of Biafra, Biafra residents and lovers of Biafra freedom for total compliance in this year sit-at-home in Biafra Land.
“IPOB remembers the genocide of over 6 million Biafrans murdered during 1967-1970 genocidal war.
“IPOB leadership, the DOS, thanks IPOB members who mobilised Biafrans to sit-at-home in honor of our heroes and heroines.
“We equally thank those who contributed immensely to this year’s successful honoring of our Biafran heroes and heroines.
“We are thankful to Biafrans in all the States of Biafra particularly in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom states, the Biafrans clans of Edo State, Benue and Kogi States for compliance to the sit-at-home.
“We also congratulate Biafrans in the diaspora who marched on the streets in raising awareness in their respective countries.
“IPOB Leaders congratulate IPOB Canada, India, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Taiwan, Thailand, Italy, America, UK, Israel, South Korea, China, Gabon, Austria, Hong Kong, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden,Brazil, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Liberia, and many other European countries, Asia, American North and South, Australia, Africa and other unnamed countries. Bravo to IPOB, the biggest and greatest One Family.
“We salute well-meaning individuals who, in no small way, made this year’s Remembrance Day a very memorable one.
“We commend market union leaders, transport owners association leaders, church leaders, educational institutions, market men and women and transporters.
“Finally, we appreciate journalists who reported objectively on the level of compliance of Biafrans on this year’s Biafran Heroes Day.
“This year’s Biafran Heroes and Heroines Day is very significant. At least, an important message has been sent to our adversaries that the illegal detention of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, does not deter the resoluteness of IPOB and Biafrans for our freedom. IPOB is a state actor that is fully in control of Biafra territory.
“As we remember our fallen heroes and heroines, including IPOB members who were killed by the murderous Nigeria government, we do so reverently. Our message to Nigeria is never will Biafrans be slaughtered unchallenged again.
“We shall continue to remember and honor our heroes and heroines who died in defence of our lives during the genocidal war of 1967-1970 which was orchestrated by the British and Nigeria governments.
“We remember those still paying the supreme and ultimate prize till date. We shall continue to remember them until Biafra comes and beyond.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB leadership (DOS) pledged never to disappoint Biafrans. We have come to restore Biafra and Biafra we must get.
“It is a time of introspection, a moment to consider the position of Biafrans in modern-day Nigeria and their relevance in the broader national context.
“Unfortunately, the issues that ultimately led to the Biafran genocidal war in 1967 still exist today.
“The present Nigeria government’s policies and persecution against Ndigbo have been x-rayed by the continuous illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The international kidnapping and unlawful detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a replica of continuous persecution of Biafrans.
“The Nigerian government has dropped charges against a Fulani confirmed terrorist leader of Miyetti Allah militia and consequently freed him from DSS detention.
“Moreover, the Nigerian government has dropped charges against a Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, who called for the Oduduwa Republic.
“In the same vein, the case against the former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested and charged with treason for calling Revolution in Nigeria, has been discontinued.
“Yet Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is Igbo, was kidnapped and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria, still remaining in detention against local and international laws.
“IPOB uses this moment of sober reflection to call on the governors in Biafra Land, particularly the South East governors, to declare May 30th a public holiday to honor the Biafran fallen heroes, henceforth.
“The demand to honor the Biafran Heroes and Heroines with a public holiday is a just demand.
“Just like South West leaders pushed and immortalized MKO Abiola with June 12 as a Democracy Day and a public holiday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors should be courageous enough to pursue the agenda to immortalize Biafra Heroes with a public holiday.
“Until then, IPOB has declared May 30th of every year as Biafra Heroes Day, which must be observed by Biafrans home and abroad.
“To all hardcore IPOB members, we salute your courage and resoluteness. We shall not retreat nor surrender until Biafra is fully restored.”
