From Petrus Obi Enugu and Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has confirmed five dead and declared 17 persons missing during a meeting at Okwe Primary School in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Asaba, Delta State when security operatives stormed the venue and opened fire on them.
The group alleged that Hausa Fulani people living near the primary school venue of the meeting called security agents who immediately stormed the place and shot many IPOB members, leaving some dead and others injured, and took their corpses away.
A statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful condemned the action of security agencies over continued harassment, killings and arrest of its members wearing Biafra uniform and other Biafra materials.
“It is dangerous that security agencies will continue to harass, intimidate, kill and arrest members of IPOB who do not commit any crime. It is barbaric and uncalled for because we cannot stop the agitation at this stage that freedom is at sight.
“However, after the arrest, security agents will dump them in secret cells without traces. Our members are missing every day. About five persons were killed, 17 members are missing since the incident in Asaba.
“The IPOB intelligence unit uncovered heinous plans against our members whom they believe are bent towards the restoration of Biafra nation.
“The security agencies have vowed to deal with or track down any Biafran or members of IPOB who are pursuing the restoration of Biafra in truth and honesty and vowed to dump them in secret cells without traces.
“IPOB is a non-violent organisation that is recognised by the United Nations which is bent on restoring the ancient nation of Biafra.
“It is quite ugly that the government and security agencies will be pursuing the non-violent group who uses no arms to pursue the restoration of Biafra, while fulani herdsmen are there, killing people with impunity.
Meanwhile, detained leader of Biafra Zionist Federation (BZF), Benjamin Onwuka, yesterday, in Enugu, asserted that the long awaited sovereign state of Biafra by various pro-Biafra groups would materialise on March 15 this year, when the Biafra declared in 1967 by late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, would be restored.
Addressing a world press conference at the Press Centre, Enugu, Onwuka, who was released from the Owerri Prisons on Monday after three years of incarceration, expressed confidence that Biafra independence would get the endorsement of President Donald Trump of America.
Onwuka, who led his supporters to seize a local radio in Enugu, where he was arrested, said his release from detention was sequel to the intervention of American president and to enable him prepare for the Biafra independence restoration.
He stressed that the re-enactment of Biafra independence stems from the diplomatic relations his group, BZF, restored with America, the Great Britain and some other world powers.
“The state of Biafra will be announced on March 15, 2017, by the Zionist Federation. I, Ikedi Benjamin Onwuka will be leading Biafra.”
The work we have done underground permits that America will endorse the Independent State of Biafra on March 15, 2017, with the endorsement of President Donald Trump.”
According to Onwuka, ex President Barrack Obama of United States of America, approved the policy for an independent state of Biafra on October 15, 2014 and also garnered support for the restoration of an Independent state of Biafra from Great Britain, France, Israel, Russia and some other world powers,stating that it is mandatory on President Donald Trump to implement the action since a siting President in America usually do not ignore foreign policies established by his/her predecessor.