From  Okey Sampson, Aba and Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia

Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), now called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has described charges levelled against MASSOB members and other Biafra agitators as blackmail and frivolous.

Speaking through his Personal Assistant, Emmanuel Omenka, who is also leader of the group in Anambra North,  reiterated that, “we cannot be involved in kidnapping, killing and other crimes they associate us with as non-violent body fighting to actualise a sovereign state of Biafra.”

Uwazuruike was reacting to a three-count charge of conspiracy, threat to kill and kidnap the executives of Motorcycle Union in Oji branch and refusal to pay motorcycle toll ticket, brought against Ani Casmir and other MASSOB members now at large.

The charge read: “That you, Ani Casmir and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did with intent to intimidate or annoy Ilo Christian and other members of Motorcycle Union executives, Oji-River branch, did threaten to kidnap them and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 120 (b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

“These claims/charges are meant to blackmail MASSOB because if you want to hang a dog, you give it a bad name,” he stated.

Also, the Biafra National Guard (BNG) has declared self-defence saying it was disturbed by incessant killings of Biafrans and pro-Biafran agitators by security agents, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, .

The group called on the people to use everything in their means to defend their lives from the enemies’ aggression and invasion, based on the United Nations Charter of Article 51 that supports the rights of self-defence of indigenous people.

In a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer of BNG, Mr. Ruben Okoro alleged that since 1999 when Chief Uwazuruike started the struggle till date, over 20, 000 Biafran freedom fighters have been killed by security agents.

He noted that since leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in 2015, over 3,000 members have been  killed and many remanded in prisons, saying “death of any pro-Biafra agitator, affects us all.

“We have implemented all the guidelines from the United Nations, Organisation of Emerging African States, African Union and European Union Parliament.

“We have devised peaceful approach and methodology for self-determination like non-violent means of general strikes, economic boycotts, work action, peaceful demonstration, rallies, law suits, civil disobedience etc in order to restore our lost sovereignty which the government neglected or rejected. Instead, they kill or arrest and dump us in prisons everyday’’.

Meanwhile, IPOB has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of massive arrests and detention of its members in order to weaken the structure. The latest,  the group said was the recent clamp down on its members both at home and in the Diaspora by security agents, saying the present move would not stop the actualisation of Biafra.

IPOB said DSS operatives were trailing its members including Solomon Uchenna Egbo, a United Kingdom based activist, Chief Okoh, Mr. Ndubuisi Arum and so many others.

A release issued by the younger brother of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Prince Kanu said: “It has come to our notice that the DSS is furiously going after our brothers, both at home and abroad.

“We want to let them know that going after and detaining innocent people will not stop the quest for Biafra. Kanu’s illegal detention has brought more unity than anybody ever imagined. God chose him for this divine project and as His own child, he won’t fail,” he said.

“We are calling for the discharge 21 Biafra agitators they detained for the past 10 years in Onitsha and Awka prisons without trial and others who have been in detention across the country. Now, the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen are still killing our people, destroying our farmland, raping our women and girls at Enugu and Delta states without arrest and prosecution of the culprits.

“From today, henceforth, since we all as Biafran citizens are not protected,we have no other option than to defend ourselves. We BNG officers have urged all Biafrans to rise up and exercise, utilise and implement this our global and international rights of self defence to defend ourselves now by any means at our reach because nobody is monopoly of violence. Biafrans self defense will not push you to look for trouble, Nigerians; self defense does not mean that we the peace loving Biafrans are looking for another civil war rather its our means of fulfilling and implementing Biafran adage of ‘live and let live” Okoro declared.

He continues: “So, let you all Biafran farmers, defend yourselves and all your farmlands, you all Biafran traders, defend yourselves and all your markets, you all Biafran pastors, defend all your people in the churches, you all Biafran freedom fighters, come together in unity of purpose in coalition and in alliance be your brothers keeper and defend yourselves, you Biafran military and paramilitary and lawmakers that are still serving Nigerian government, defend yourselves. So Biafrans everywhere please defend your lives and properties”  he stated. ENDS

Biafran group declares /sd

From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha

Biafran group declares self-defence under UN charter

From  OKEY SAMPSON, Aba and Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia

Disturbed by the incessant killings of Biafrans and pro-Biafran agitators by security agents, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, the Biafra National Guard (BNG) has declared self-defence. It urged all indigenous people, citizens of Biafra to defend and protect their lives and property.

The group called on the people to use everything in their means to defend their lives from all the enemies aggression and invasion, based on the United Nations Charter of Article 51 that supports the rights of self-defence of indigenous people.

In a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BNG, Mr. Ruben Okoro alleged that since 1999 when Chief Uwazuruike started the struggle till date, over 20, 000 Biafran freedom fighters have been killed by security agents.

He noted that since leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in 2015, over 3,000 members have been  killed and many remanded in prisons, saying “death to any pro-Biafra agitators, is a death to all of us.

“We have implemented all the guidelines from the United Nations, Organisation of Emerging African States, African Union and European Union Parliament. We have devised peaceful approach and methodology of our Biafra self-determination like non-violent means of general strikes, economic boycotts, work action, peaceful demonstration and rallies, law suits, civil disobedience etc in order to restore our Biafra lost sovereignty which the government neglected or rejected instead, they kill or arrest and dump us in prisons everyday.

Also, IPOB has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of massive arrests and detention of its members in order to weaken the structure. The latest the group said was the recent clamp down on its members both at home and in the Diaspora by the security outfit, saying the present move would not stop the actualization of Biafra.

IPOB said among its members DSS operatives are trailing included Solomon Uchenna Egbo, a United Kingdom based activist, High chief Okoh, Mr Ndubuisi Arum and so many others it said it could not trace.

A release issued by the younger brother of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Prince Kanu said, “It has come to our notice that the department of state services (DSS) are furiously going after our brothers both at home and abroad.

“So many of our members are on their (DSS) wanted list and currently on the list are Solomon Uchenna Egbo, United Kingdom  based activist, High chief Okoh, Mr Ndubuisi Arum and so many others that we can’t trace.

Meanwhile, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), now called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazurike has described charges levelled against MASSOB members and other Biafra agitators as blackmail and frivolous.

Speaking through his Personal Assistant, Emmanuel Omenka, who is also leader of the group in Anambra North, he reiterated that, “we cannot be involved in kidnapping, killing and other crimes they associate us with as non -violent body fighting to actualise a sovereign State of Biafra.”

Uwazurike was reacting to a three-count charge of conspiracy, threat to kill and kidnap the executives of Motorcycle Union in Oji branch and refusal to pay motorcycle toll ticket, brought against Ani Casmir and other MASSOB members now at large.

The charge read: “That you, Ani Casmir and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did with intent to intimidate or annoy Ilo Christian and other members of Motorcycle Union executives, Oji-River branch, did threaten to kidnap them and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 120 (b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.”

“We are calling for the discharge 21 Biafra agitators they detained for the past 10 years in Onitsha and Awka prisons without trial and others who have been in detention across the country. Now, the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen are still killing our people, destroying our farmland, raping our women and girls at Enugu and Delta states without arrest and prosecution of the culprits.

“From today, henceforth, since we all as Biafran citizens are not protected,we have no other option than to defend ourselves. We BNG officers have urged all Biafrans to rise up and exercise, utilise and implement this our global and international rights of self defence to defend ourselves now by any means at our reach because nobody is monopoly of violence. Biafrans self defense will not push you to look for trouble, Nigerians; self defense does not mean that we the peace loving Biafrans are looking for another civil war rather its our means of fulfilling and implementing Biafran adage of ‘live and let live” Okoro declared.

He continues: “So, let you all Biafran farmers, defend yourselves and all your farmlands, you all Biafran traders, defend yourselves and all your markets, you all Biafran pastors, defend all your people in the churches, you all Biafran freedom fighters, come together in unity of purpose in coalition and in alliance be your brothers keeper and defend yourselves, you Biafran military and paramilitary and lawmakers that are still serving Nigerian government, defend yourselves. So Biafrans everywhere please defend your lives and properties”  he stated. ENDS