Rwandan Genocide, The Road To Biafra, Rwandan Experience

by  mamamba mamamba

The Rwandan Genocide was a genocidal mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu in Rwanda by members of the Hutu majority. During the approximate 100-day period from April 7, 1994 to mid-July, an estimated 800,000–1,000,000 Rwandans were killed, constituting as much as 20% of the country’s total population and 70% of the Tutsi then living in Rwanda. The genocide was planned by members of the core political elite known as the akazu, many of whom occupied positions at top levels of the national government. Perpetrators came from the ranks of the Rwandan army, the National Police (gendarmerie), government-backed militias including the Interahamwe and Impuzamugambi, and the Hutu civilian population.

The genocide took place in the context of the Rwandan Civil War,conflict beginning in 1990 between the Hutu-led government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which was largely composed of Tutsi refugees whose families had fled to Uganda following earlier waves of Hutu violence against the Tutsi. International pressure on the Hutu-led government of Juvénal Habyarimana resulted in a cease-fire in 1993 with a roadmap to implement the Arusha Accords that would create a power-sharing government with the RPF. This agreement displeased many conservative Hutu, including members of the Akazu, who viewed it as conceding to enemy demands. Among the broader Hutu populace, the RPF military campaign had also intensified support for the so-called “Hutu Power” ideology, which portrayed the RPF as an alien force intent on reinstating the Tutsi monarchy and enslaving the Hutus, a prospect met with extreme opposition.

On April 6, 1994, an airplane carrying Habyarimana and Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira was shot down on its descent into Kigali, killing all on board. Genocidal killings began the following day: soldiers, police and militia quickly executed key Tutsi and moderate Hutu leaders, then erected checkpoints and barricades and used Rwandans’ national identity cards to systematically verify their ethnicity and kill Tutsi. These forces recruited or pressured Hutu civilians to arm themselves with machetes, clubs, blunt objects and other weapons to rape, maim and kill their Tutsi neighbors and destroy or steal their property. The breach of the peace agreement led the RPF to restart their offensive and rapidly seize control of the northern part of the country before capturing Kigali in mid-July, bringing an end to the genocide. During these events and in their aftermath, the United Nations (UN) and countries including the United States, Great Britain and Belgium were criticized for their inaction, including failure to strengthen the force and mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) peacekeepers, while observers criticized the government of France for alleged support of the genocidal regime after the genocide had begun

It is on this premise that I have decided to bring the ticking time bomb in the South East before Nigerians. The present state of the region is a clear manifestation of man’s inhumanity to man .
The bitter truth is that of a zone systematically neglected and wickedly destroyed for reasons that are ingloriously archaic, incurable hatred and misplaced fears by the ruling class, self imposed marginalization of their own ruling class on their embattled and gullible populace; I have to here chronicle the known facts that Igbo can forgive but can never forget , yes reasons for the time bomb.

1. Jos, June 22, 1945 – Over 200 people were massacred in Jos, and their property looted. The colonial authorities failed to institute a probe, and no justice was obtained for the victims.
2. Kano 1953 – over 150 killed following the political riots in protest of the so-called treatment of Northern political leaders in Ibadan .
3.Between May and October 1966 – over 50, 000 Igbo were killed in an organized pogrom following the Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna-led coup of Jan.15, 1966. In July a counter coup was staged in which the Igbo General Ironsi was killed in Ibadan with his host, Col. Francis A Fajuyi. Ironsi’s murder did not stem the massacres, but it was intensified from September 1966 .
From July 1967- January 1970 over 3 million Igbos were killed fighting for liberation in Biafra . The International press reported acts of genocide against the Igbo in places like Asaba which were generally ignored. 3)3 million Biafran civilians ,mainly children died mainly from starvation as a result of the federal blockade and mass starvation policy.
3. Kano 1980 – over 1000 Igbos were killed
4. Maiduguiri 1982 – 1983 over 500 Igbos were killed
5. At the beginning of 2001, the Islamic Sharia law was implemented in Kaduna State and a particular incident in 2002 saw at least more than 1,000 Southerners killed in a particular riot and most of those killed were Igbos. Among those murdered were parents of Victor Moses (Austin and Josephine Moses), current member of Nigeria’s national soccer team that won the continental trophy in 2013
6. Between February 16 – December 26, 2002 thousands of Igbo were killed in northern Nigeria and the root cause of the killing and riot was the implementation of Sharia law in the northern states of Nigeria . Among those killed were three Igbo Christian pastors including George Orji who was killed by beheading.
7. In November 2002, hundreds of Igbo were massacred again following controversy around the hosting of Miss World beauty contest in Nigeria
8. The APO-SIX killings occurred in June, 2005 in which the Nigeria Police Force extra-judicially killed six young Igbos (Ekene Isaac Mgbe, Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony and Augustina Arebu) in Apo-Abuja. Till this day none of the police officers accused of this shockingly evil crime has been brought to justice.
9. On 18th of February 2006 in Maiduguri and in almost all the northern states of Nigeria , the Muslims protesting over the publication of the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad by a Danish newspaper killed more than 100 Igbo. The Muslims attacked Christians and burned churches in the deadliest confrontation yet in the whirlwind of Muslim anger over the drawings.
10. From March 2006 to July 2007, hundreds of Southerners were killed in almost all the northern states of Nigeria especially in Jos. The crisis was between Muslims and Christians.
11. On October 8, 2007, another religious violence again broke out in Northern Nigeria in a row over the publication of the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad by a Danish newspaper and over 100 of people were massacred, majority of them Igbos.
12. Between March 11, 2010 and September 1, 2011 over 500 Christians were massacred outside Plateau state capital, Jos. This time the killings took place in a mainly Christian village of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state.
13. On 24th April 2011, more than 1,000 were killed in post-election violence in Nigeria and among those killed were Obinna Okpokiri, who returned from London to serve his fatherland and was posted to Bauchi State, and Eucharia Remmy a graduate from the University of Nigeria in 2010, serving in Damaturu, Yobe State. Muslim youths launched protests in northern towns and cities after President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from Biafra, was declared the winner of the 16 April election, defeating northern Muslim Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler.
14. On June 16, 2011, a Boko haram suicide bomber drove a car bomb onto the premises of the Louis Edet House in Abuja , the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force with a possible intention to kill Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim whose convoy he followed into the compound. He was however limited by the concentration of security personnel within the entrance. The bomber and one Igbo traffic policeman were killed, though authorities said up to six people may have been killed
15. On 26 August 2011, the Islamist group, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for an attack on the United Nations building in Abuja which left over 40 people dead most of them Igbo
16. On September 25, 2011, five Igbo traders were shot dead at Madala Market, outskirts of Abuja on ThursdayNight between 7-8pm. According to the report, the gunmen stormed the Madala market and made straight to a shop believed to be that of some Igbo traders and ordered them to recite the Holy Quran which they could not do. The gunmen who were not satisfied with the development opened fire on the five people at close range leaving them dead immediately. The five casualties were later identified as John Kalu, Oliver Ezemah, Uche Nguweze, Sunday Emmanuel. The fifth casualty is yet to be identified
17. On December 25, 2011 Boko Haram claimed responsibility for Christmas Day Bomb attacks at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madala – near the capital Abuja – which left more than 50 Igbos dead. Mr Dike and his children were roasted alive
18. On January 5, 2012 more than 43 Igbos and other southerners were killed in Adamawa State north-eastern Nigeria . The first victims, 16 in all, were murdered on Friday night during a service at the Christ Apostolic Church , Yola, the state capital. Twenty-seven others described as mourners had been killed earlier on that day at Mubi by gunmen while they were meeting at the residence of another Igbo man who had been shot dead by Bokko Haram Islamist terrorist group a day earlier to plan for his burial
19. On January 11, 2012 Boko Haram terrorists shot dead four Igbo men who were believed to be fleeing violence-torn Maiduguri, residents said.” Their car had just pulled up at a filling station outside the town to refuel when suspected Boko Haram gunmen in another car also pulled up and opened fire on the Igbos, killing them on the spot.”
20. On Monday Jan 16, 2012 members of the Boko Haram terrorist group again shot dead five Southerners in their homes in Maiduguri. Three people among those shot dead have been confirmed as Igbos.
21. On 21st January 2012 at 2:55 GMT, more than 250 Southerners were killed in a series of bombings and attacks by Islamist zealots in the northern Nigerian city of Kano. The terrorist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
22. On 16 March 2012, Mr John Nubrim was visibly traumatized after fleeing the north-eastern town of Maiduguri following attacks by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. According to him, “Only God knows how I escaped from that Maiduguri. They bomb over there.” “They burned my shed. All my property, all my things, are there,” said the young electronics trader, before letting out a short scream. “My parents, my brother and one of my sons died there.”
23. On February 3, 2012, men of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, struck early in the morning in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, killing four southerners. A police station and a first generation bank were burnt by the group. In another incident, at least six Igbo were killed in Maiduguri by the same Boko Haram.
24. On August 8, 2012, Boko Haram terrorists attacked a church in Okene, Kogi State with guns killing so many Igbos. On the same day, an IED was discovered in another church in Lokoja, Kogi state which exploded and killed more than 20 Igbo.
25. On Monday 19th March 2013, the whole world woke up to the sad news about the explosion of five luxurious buses by Boko Haram at Sabo-Ngari area in Kano State Nigeria, killing over 250 southerners and maiming several others, mostly Igbos.
26. On Friday May 24, 2013 at about 7:30pm. Kano Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya confirmed to 247ureports.comthat unknown gunmen believed to be Boko Haram terrorist group struck the Kurna Asabe area of Kano and shot dead two Igbo business men- a Vulcanizer and an Electronics dealer. Both victims hailed from Nsukka, Enugu State and were identified as Ibe Ugwuanyi, 30 (Vulcanizer) and Eke Osita Joseph, an Electronics dealer, 35.
27. A dark cloud of mourning enveloped the Ezihe-Umueze kindred in Uga community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the people awaited the return of their kinsman, Mr Nnamdi Ezebuala whose three children were killed in the latest Boko Haram bombing incident that occurred on July 29, 2013 in Sabongari, Kano. This very man eventually died from wounds he sustained from the bombs which killed his three children. They were all buried the same day; four of them.
28. On September 2, 2013 gunmen on the rampage swept through three states of Borno, Kaduna and Plateau in Northern Nigeria killing more than 50 Biafrans.
29. On September 3, 2013 more than five Christians were forced from their vehicle in Jos and executed in a ditch in the latest attack by Boko Haram terrorist group. It was reported that these five individuals were executed by the terrorist group after declaring themselves followers of Jesus Christ.
30. Abuja, Fri Sep 20, 2013 12:32pm EDT (Reuters) – At least seven southerners were killed by the terrorist group Boko Haram in the capital Abuja .
31. On 28th September 2013, Boko Haram terrorists bombed three banks and killed 4 in Kaduna . Heavily armed Boko Haram terrorist members bombed three commercial banks in Saminaka, headquarters of Lere local government area of Kaduna State and four lives were lost in the attack.
32. Early in 2013, hundreds of people of Igbo extraction were physically deported from Lagos by the Lagos State Governor and dumped at the Niger Bridge-head in Onitsha for no justifiable reason. Which country in the history of the world has ever deported its citizens from one part of the country to another? The only instance that comes to mind is the transportation of Jews by the German SSS to death chambers during the Second World War. The Indigenous People of Biafra has determined that only in the Sovereign State of Biafra will they really be safe and assured of their basic inalienable human rights. Of course, there are those we cannot omit stating in clearer terms:
1. December 18th-20th 1980_ Kano , Kano State_ Islamic Revivalists (Maitatsine group) attacked Christians and burnt churches; over 4,000 Christians were killed and their properties worth millions of naira lost.
2. October 25th-30th 1982_ Kaduna, Kaduna State_ another Maitatsine riot; over 50 Christians estimated dead.
3. October 30th 1982_Kano, Kano State ( Sabon Gari Municipality )_2 Churches burnt to ashes, 6 more destroyed.
4. December 26th-29th 1982_Maiduguri, Borno State, Maitatsine riot: over 100 Christians lost their lives and properties destroyed.
5. February 15th -2nd March 1984_ The Gongola State (Jimeta-Yola) _ The Maitatsine group attacked Christians; over 500 Christians were killed.
6. April 23rd-28th 1985_Then Bauchi State (Gombe)_Maitatsine uprising: more than 100 Christians lost their lives
7. March 6th-12th 1987_ Kaduna State (Kafanchan, Kaduna, Zaria ) & Katsina in Katsina State_ Muslim students attacked Christian students at College of Education in Kafanchan and Christians fought back. The fight later spread to other places as indicated here under location. More than 150 churches were burnt and over 25 Christians killed.
8. March 1988_Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Kaduna State Government destroyed a Christian Chapel under construction. This led to religious uprising.
9. 1988, Kaduna State ( ABU University Zaria ), Benson Omenka, final year student, killed by Muslim students during Students Union election. Christian students were also stoned, maimed and raped.
10. 1988_Bauchi State, Gombe in Bauchi State Secondary Schools, Muslim students attacked Christian Teachers and students in GSS Gombe, GTC Gombe and GSS Bauchi and other Secondary Schools in Bauchi State. Some of the Christian students were badly wounded.
11. April 20th-23rd 1991_Bauchi, Bauchi state: Fighting between Muslims and Christians; more than 200 people lost their lives and 700 churches and mosques were burnt.
12. October 14th-16th 1991_Kano State, Kano: The Reinhard Bonnke riots fighting between Muslims and Christians as Muslim activists rampaged and protested against a planned revival meeting during which a German Evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, was expected to be the guest preacher.
13. October 1991, Plateau State: A young man from Anaguta was beaten to death on a field opposite University of Jos during election primaries of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).
14. February 1992, Kano State : Many Christians were massacred and churches destroyed.
15. February 1992, Plateau State , Jos. A young Christian, married with one child, was beaten to death by Muslims as he was going home from an evening church meeting, at Yan Taya junction, Jos.
16. April 15th-16th 1992_Kaduna state, Zangon Kataf local Government Area. What was supposed to be a communal riot between Christians and Muslims and spread throughout Kaduna State . Hundreds of people lost their lives and buildings were burnt.
17. May 18th 1992_Kaduna, Zaria: Rev. Tacio Duniya of E.C.W.A, Rev. Musa Bakut and a host of others were murdered by Muslim fanatics.
18. April 12th 1994_Plateau State, Jos. Fighting between Muslims and Christians over the appointment of one Aminu Mato as chairman of the Caretaker Committee for Jos Local Government Area. 16 lives were lost and properties were destroyed.
19. 1999, Borno State . Religious riots as Borno State government mooted the idea of not allowing the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge in Schools.
20. February 4th -22nd 2000_Kaduna State. Riots began after a Christian march opposing the implementation of Sharia law. Travelers were killed as they tried to escape from their vehicles. More than 1,000 people died in various clashes.
21. February. & May 2000_Kaduna State, Kaduna Christians in Kaduna were attacked on two different occasions as Muslim fanatics protested against the delay in introduction of sharia in the state.
22. May 16th 2000_Kaduna_ Muslim youths destroyed ECWA in Kaduna only hours after peacekeeping troops left the area.
23. May 22nd 2000_Kaduna state_ Muslim youths torched the First Baptist Church and Christian homes, leading to retaliation by Christian youths. At least 11 people died and many others were injured in the incident.
24. May 25th 2000_Kaduna state. Several days of violence over the introduction of Sharia led to the death of at least 150 people. Homes, shops and churches were also destroyed.
25. September 7th-9th, 2000, Gombe State . In Bambam, 25 people died as a result of clashes between Muslims and Christians due to possible implementation of Sharia. Property damaged was estimated in millions of Naira.
26. November 2000_ Kebbi State, Christians showing the Jesus film were warned not to continue showing the film.
27. June 2001_Jigawa State_15 churches and 14 Pastors’ residences were burned down in Gawaram. A similar attack on 11 churches occurred earlier in that year in Hadejia.
28. 5th August 2001, Bauchi State: according to the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Muslim mercenaries had attacked Christians in the Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro areas on two occasions. The attacks left more than 100 dead and 3,000 refugees.
29. 7th-12th September 2001_Plateau State, Jos Muslims attacked Christians. Properties were destroyed and people lost their lives.
30. September 7th-17th 2001, Kano State, seven churches were demolished; six churches set ablaze by a mob. Fifty four churches given demolition notices and seventeen churches demolished by the Kano state government. The Governor stated that all churches in Shagari quarters of Kano city were “illegal structures”, probably due to the religious conflict in Jos.
31. October 7th 2001Kaduna State. Muslim youths attacked three churches and 10 Christian-owned shops with gas bombs, setting fire to the buildings.
32. October 14th-18th 2001, Kano State: As a result of Anti-American protests, 600 Christians were missing and another 350 were killed; at least five churches were burned during the resulting riots.
33. December 24th-25th 2001_Gombe State. A visit to Gombe State by the Israeli ambassador sparked a riot, at least 4 people were killed, 50 injured, and two churches damaged.
34. 2nd May 2002_Plateau State, Jos: Muslims attacked Christians. Properties were destroyed and people lost their lives.
35. May 2002_Zamfara State . The whereabouts of two Christians charged with apostasy, converting from Islam to Christianity, was unknown. Lawali Yakubu and Ali Jafaru disappeared after a judge refused to sentence them to death.
36. May-June 2002, Niger State . At least 75 Christians were arrested for opposing the state’s Sharia law.
37. June 6th 2002, Katsina State : A Christian Police Officer in Katsina was clubbed to death by a mob of Muslims after being accused of trampling a Koran. The Police Officer had warned a Muslim preacher to stop inciting violence against Christians. Afraid of being arrested, the preacher fabricated the Koran story to provoke the crowd.
38. September, 2002_Kaduna State, Federal Government College Zaria : Muslim students fought against Christian students discovered that a Christian was likely to win the position of Students Union President during a student election. Many were killed and several female students raped.
39. October 13th 2002_Kaduna, Zaria : A clash over a student election at the Federal College of Education in Zaria ended in the death of 20 Christian students.
40. November 20th-21st 2002_Kaduna State, Kadoka and Kano Muslim mobs ransacked Thisday Newspaper’s Office and then began to attack Christian targets, damaging up to 20 churches. Over 200 people were killed and 1,200 injured in the attacks.
41. December 26th, 2002_Bauchi State : An armed Muslim mob attacked Christians concluding Christmas celebration. The Celestial Church of Christ and many Christian homes were burnt.
42. April 22nd 2003_Kano State: A pastor and 6 of his members were killed in a house fire which was believed to have been set by Muslim militants.
43. December, 2003_Plateau State, Rim: Christians killed, houses and churches destroyed, individuals injured and many other damages.
44. February 2004_Plateau State , Yelwa Shendam_47 Christians burnt in church with a lot of houses and properties destroyed.
45. April 2004_Kano State : Reprisal of Jos crisis: many Christians killed, houses and properties lost.
46. February 18th 2006_Maiduguri_56 churches burnt and 63 Christians killed in an orchestrated attack.
47. September 2006_Jigawa State_26 churches burnt.
48. September 28th 2007_Kano State, Tudun Wada_3 killed, 72 injured, 8 churches burnt.
49. December 2007_Bauchi, Yelwa: Ten Christians killed and 47 injured.
50. May 13th 2008_Bauchi State, Ningi, Tafawa Balewa: Six churches burnt and vandalized.
51. November 28th 2008_Plateau State: Over 100 Christians killed, 71 churches burnt, 1,647 families lost their homes, 535 businesses burnt.
52. December 2008_Sokoto_NCCF (NYSC) bus burnt.
53. February 21st 2009_Bauchi_19 people dead, 12 churches burnt, 50 Christian houses destroyed.
54. 29th July 2009_Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa States: A group called Boko Haram killed Christians who refused to accept Islam, burnt their churches and attacked security operatives.
55. 27th December 2009_Plateau State : Muslims burnt Baptist Church at Yelwa and stabbed some Christians on the streets of Jos.
56. 29th December 2009_Bauchi_A group called Kalikato attacked people in Bauchi, leaving 39 people dead and houses burnt.
57. 17th 21 January 2010_Plateau State: Muslims unleash destruction over 24 communities in Jos North, Jos South, Barkin ladi, Mangu, Pankshin and Dangi, claiming numerous lives and burning Christian homes and Churches including Bukuru Market.
58. 20th January 2010, Sokoto state: A Christian man was killed in retaliation over the incidence in Jos.
59. 22nd January 2010, Kaduna Sate: Muslims attack Christians at Mararraban Rido (close to NNPC depot).
60. 28th January-1st February 2010 Gombe State: Muslims burnt ECWA primary and secondary schools at Bolori, burnt houses belonging to Igbos at Duku, burnt Yoruba Hall at Jekadafari and also burnt two churches with one vandalized.
61. Since 2010 BOKO HARAM Terrorist groups, Islamic Jihadists, Shariarist and moslem terrorist have killed hundreds and thousands of Igbos, Christians and southerners in Northern and Central Nigeria by bombing, attacks, burning of Igbos properties, Christians churches and southern people living in Northern Nigeria by bombing their churches, businesses, schools, homes, markets and at out doors activities.
YOU CAN FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME ,AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME,BUT YOU CANNOT FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.(Abraham Lincoln)
COURTESY OF THE WORLD IGBO CONGRESS (WIC)

SOURCE

By: Restore Biafra On 3/22/2015

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We regret to announce the death of Prof. Innocent Odenigbo

A staunch Biafran who agitated for the freedom of Biafra until death, has gone to rest. Professor Innocent Odenigbo has made several speeches about the Biafra genocide of 1967-1970 and most importantly he lamented the silence of the world regarding the state of Biafra.

You can listen to the speech here  .

 He is the author of "A Human Comedy".

Our heart goes out to bereaved family.

More details later ....

By: Restore Biafra On 1/17/2015

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MASSOB takes over Owerri for Ojukwu memorial day.

For those who thought the crisis that rocked the headquarters of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State has broken and weakened the organisation, they may after all be wrong as proved on December 10.

Many had thought that MASSOB had been hit so hard by the crisis and its members disintegrated and dispersed, which raised fear that the Ojukwu Memorial Day observed by the group would be greeted with low turnout.

But on December 10, the rescheduled memorial day for the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, members of the group took over Owerri by storm, especially the New Owerri axis where the Ojukwu Memorial International Library and Convention Centre is located.

Most of the members of the group in Biafran camouflage and T-shirts were in high spirits as they took positions, sector by sector, in canopies mounted outside the Ojukwu Library regaling and dancing to tunes from the musical groups that came with them.

They were waiting for the arrival of Ojukwu’s widow and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu on whose instance Ojukwu’s memorial date of this year was shifted from November 26 to December 10 to enable her attend.

By 2:15p.m; Bianca arrived at the venue and was received by the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who took her round the library to greet thousands of  MASSOB members who sat state by state, zone by zone, making them to erupt in thunderous cheers as some of them surged forward to greet Ojukwu’s widow.

Soon, the event began with Archbishop Chukwuereka Iheanacho  who came from Lagos leading in the opening prayers laced with words of advice for the Igbo.

He thanked the MASSOB members, their leader Uwazuruike, Eze Nri, Obidiegwu Onyesoh, Iyom Bianca for keeping alive the Ojukwu memories.

The archbishop noted that the day was significant to the Igbo man, praying that

God should bless Ndigbo, Biafra, Nigeria and Africa in general.

He lamented that Nigeria is now in a precarious condition like when the Israelites left Egypt and got to the Red Sea, saying that the country only requires prayers.

“In the 60s Nigeria was pregnant and it delivered the civil war, Nigeria is now pregnant with corruption and may deliver crisis; therefore, we need to pray for God to deliver our people,” he said.

The archbishop said that he had come to Owerri to celebrate the great man of valour Ojukwu, saying that he has two mentors, God and Ojukwu, who, he said, “was consistent with the aspiration of our people.”

The cleric said that Ojukwu showed the Igbo man that a man could be consistent with his dreams.

Also speaking, Ambassador Bianca expressed happiness that the Ojukwu Memorial Library was also completed.

She thanked the MASSOB leader and the Biafran war veterans who have sacrificed to ensure that the project is completed for their tenacity of purpose.

She, however, frowned at the way some politicians have been using the name of her late husband to enrich themselves while the same people have not done anything to immortalise him except what Uwazuruike, his adopted son was doing.

Her words: “I want to thank Chief Uwazuruike and the war veterans who have continued to remember Ojukwu every year by organizing a memorial anniversary for him. But those who have used the name of Ojukwu to win political offices and even those who have set up companies using his name have done nothing to remember him”.

Bianca also enjoined the MASSOB members not to allow external forces to cause them to disintegrate or break their ranks for the selfish interest of those people.

When Biance arrived at the home of Uwazuruike, she was amazed by the main door of the MASSOB leader which had a large picture of Ojukwu on the door, making her to tarry awhile at the door in order to raise praises for her late husband.

Also speaking, the Eze Nri, His Royal Majesty Obidiegwu Onyesoh, who led other traditional rulers to the event, said he had attended the anniversary because of the respect and honour he has always accorded to Dim Ojukwu while he was alive.

He commended Chief Uwazuruike for keeping the memorial of Ojukwu in the consciousness of Ndigbo by organizing the anniversary of his passage every year.

The traditional ruler of the Nri Ancient Kingdom pointed out that Uwazuruike has not only deemed it necessary to continue to celebrate the late revered Igbo leader but has gone a step further by erecting a befitting Library and Convention Centre in his name.

The royal father also lamented the continued marginalization of the South-East in the scheme of things in the country and insisted that the South-East must be given an additional state at least to assuage the region’s structural marginalization.

Hear him: “We South-East is marginalized today because of the injustice in the land and I am saying that the South-East must be given another state at least to redress the structural marginalization. Our people in government must see to it that it is done.

“I want our people to emulate the life Dim Ojukwu who scarified all he had for Ndigbo and that is why we are here today to honour his memorial as a great son of Ndigbo whose only thought and action was how to liberate the people from oppression and marginalization”.

Similarly, Dr Dozie Ikedife, erstwhile President -General of the apex Igbo cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said that the late Ojukwu remained the spirit of the Biafran struggle and as long as the spirit of Ojukwu was with the Igbo people the Biafra state would come to fruition one day.

“The state of Biafra will come to fruition because the spirit of Ojukwu is with the people. But this time we are not going to fight another war, what we are going to use now is wisdom because the case of Biafra in still in the court and we are going to be victorious, but Ndigbo should love one another as Ojukwu had loved Ndigbo,” he advised.

Also, Reverend Samuel Aniebo who came from Lagos to attend the memorial ceremony said that though the Ikemba Nnewi had left the physical world, he is still alive because his spirit has continued to live among the Igbo people.

“Even  though our revered and beloved leader has departed this physical world he is still alive because his spirit still lives among the people that is the reason you see this mammoth crowd of people who have abandoned their various businesses just to come to in order to honour the memory of the man who had sacrificed his father’s wealth, personal comfort to fight their cause,” he said.

He maintained that Ndigbo would be free in no distant future, pointing out that “if East Timor with a population of just 150,000 and Montenegro which has a population of 800,000 is free then Ndigbo with a population of about 70 million will definitely be free.”

One of the Biafra war veterans, Chijioke Nnam, a 67-year-old  man from Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, said that he has continued  to attend the memorial of Ojukwu, saying that if not for him Ndigbo would have been wiped out during the civil war which was imposed on the East by Nigeria.

The war veteran maintained that he would ever remain grateful to the late Dim Ojukwu for his sacrifice to Ndigbo, pointing out that other veterans who attended the event did so to honour his memory.

He also thanked Chief Uwazuruike for keeping the flag of Biafra flying.

In his speech, the leader of MASSOB, Chief Uwazuruike said that “Ojukwu brought Biafra,” promising that “Biafra would never die.”

He pointed out that before this time when Biafra was mentioned “the Nigerian security agents would clamp down on us but today that era has passed.”

Uwazuruike said: “Today, the Federal Government has come to the reality that Biafra has come to stay  because of the sacrifice that we have made towards the realization of the state of Biafra.”

By: Restore Biafra On 12/17/2014

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Biafra becomes AU member: ECOSOCC

Agitators for the actualization of the state of Biafra have revealed their admission as members of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) General Assembly of the African Union (AU). This is even as they stated that notable Igbo leaders were still in court with the Federal Government of Nigeria over rights to self-determination.

Going by this development, according to a document made available on-line and countersigned by the solicitor of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Emeka Adolf Chigozie, the actualization of Biafra is now taken up by elders and professionals in Igbo land, home and abroad, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftains, using a legal framework outside the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) method.

The document read in part: “The skepticism and doubts expressed by some people, like Mr. Kalu Onu­ma, who asked the question, ‘Are you guys for real or you’ve been smoking something?” Our solicitor has decided to countersign this announcement and include his professional details. It is unfortunate that the pro-Biafran groups, which started the Biafran independence movement many years ago, did not follow due process of law and thereby, brought disgrace and ridicule upon a genuine self-determination struggle of indigenous people of Biafra that should be anchored on law. At the moment, the Biafran independence movement has taken a new shape. It is no longer in the hands of charlatans and fraudsters or blind leaders of the blind. It is now in the hands of intellectuals, professionals and diplomats.

“We are presently in Court with Nigeria in Suit No. FHC/OW/ CS/192/2013 at the Federal High Court, Owerri. We sued Nigeria in a representative capacity by Bilie Human Rights Initiative because Biafra is not yet a sovereign entity that can sue or be sued. We are discussing with powerful governments in the international community. “The Biafran struggle is now led by the elders of Biafra­land. The Chairman is, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu, OFR, the founding father and founding Presi­dent of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The Deputy Chairman is Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Ikenga Nnewi, JP, OON; the Secretary is Col. Joe Achuzia. Other members of the Governing Council are drawn from all parts of Biafraland, including South East, parts of South-South and parts of the Middle Belt being the land of Biafra, as shown in the Ancient Map of Biafra 1660 and 1707, which we have filed in court.”

To:
All Indigenous People of Biafra at home and abroad
We are happy to announce that Bilie Human Rights Initiative Representing Indigenous People of Biafra has been granted the Membership of the ECOSSOC General Assembly of the African Union (former OAU).
Our membership of the African Union now opens more doors for us in the international community. We hope to hear very soon from the United Nations regarding our Consultative Status.
We shall give you more information during our monthly meetings regarding the effects, powers, rights and obligations which our Membership of the ECOSSOC General Assembly confers on us.
Please spread the good news!
Best regards

Admin Manager
Office of Indigenous People of Biafra

SOURCE 1

SOURCE 2 

By: Restore Biafra On 11/24/2014

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Where did Igbo originate from?

SOURCE

* The biblical connection

BY VINCENT UJUMADU
THERE is a  debate over the origin of  Igbo. Two Anambra communities – Nri in Anaocha local government area and Aguleri in Anambra East local government area claim the  Igbo originated from their areas.

It was Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh, the traditional ruler of Nri, who started the argument when he said  his community  is the origin of Igbo. Shortly after,  Aguleri debunked it, saying Onyeso ought to know the truth because he had to visit Aguleri before his coronation in 1988 to receive blessing as Igbo custom demanded of him. According to Aguleri people, Aguleri is the first son of Eri who migrated from Egypt.

Igbo-menBut Onyesoh would not accept that as he insisted that his community is the first home of the Igbo  before they migrated to other areas and even beyond the shores of eastern Nigeria.
His words: The origin of Nri is Egypt about two centuries ago and the father of Nri was called Gad. Gad was the son of Jacob while Jacob was the son of Isaac and Isaac was the son of Abraham. The family tree of Nri was traced from the origin of Abraham who was the favourite child of God.

A man called Eri, the progenitor of Ndigbo, lived in Egypt and was the special adviser on religious matters to the 5th dynasty of Pharaohs of Egypt.

It was in those days in Egypt that Eri determined who was going to be the next Pharaoh. And by their law, there was a deity called Emem and anything to happen during the time, the man called Eri, in his capacity as the religion adviser to the Pharaoh of Egypt, was responsible.

Now Eri needed people to help him and he recruited devotees. These devotees were all appointed by him but he had to do something to really found their own loyalty. In their movement towards southern side, they arrived another confluence. This confluence was the tributary of River Niger and Benue known as Ezu na Omambala.

The last son of Eri, Agulu remained by the sea side because he was a fisherman. The first child Eri remained in his father’s house until he had a vision and was called to serve God in their own way. Nri was an incarnate to his grandfather, Eri.

So Nri was the reincarnate of Eri, and the functions which their grandfather performed came back to him. While his siblings all left to their respective farming positions, he remained in his father’s compound. The Ofo   Ndigbo resides at Nri because the process is from one Eze-Nri to another. There is a handover known as Ofo and Alo  and to become Eze-Nri without original Ofo and Alo,  you are not Eze Nri. The Ofo and Alo have been existing for the past 1,009 years.

When I finish and gone as the Eze Nri, the Ofo and Alo   will be handed to the next Eze-Nri.
Today, about 180 communities could trace their origin from Nri and the civilization of Nri spread around. He founded the Ozo title just like his father did; he spoke about anything that has to do with fairness and justice. Everywhere he founded was on behalf of his grandfather and they called themselves, Igbo.

He added: Aguleri, the last born of Eri, remained at the very close of the water front. Aguleri cannot claim that Nri came from Aguleri. Nri came from a place called Eriaka and, for now, Eriaka has gone defunct because the main man left Eriaka.

Eze Nri, Onyesoh said, doesn  t go to Aguleri to be crowned or be purified, adding that Eze Nri, as part of the tradition, after crowning him and other things perfected, must go to where there is water divided into two. He continued: We don  t have any other water divided into two as  found in Lokoja, the confluence between River Niger and River Benue. The place is too far for us and the closest one to us is the tributary river of Niger and Benue known as Ezu and Omambala. They have two rivers there, now it is at that river where the covenant must be taken. That covenant is what we know as ‘Udu-Eze’.

Any person telling you that Eze-Nri must go to Aguleri for any other thing is lying. Apart from the distance, one could also go to converging place between Niger and Benue to performance the rite instead of going to Aguleri. So, all manner of propaganda you now hear are all tissues of lies.

Nri has no similar culture with Aguleri. Since the beginning of Aguleri, it has no traditional institution.
If Nri and Aguleri have much in common, Aguleri would be producing their own traditional ruler just as Nri does. For the past 110 years, it has been only Idigo dynasty that occupies the kingship.

‘Historical distortion’

But Aguleri people described Igwe Onyesoh  s story as a historical distortion and a travesty of Igbo history.  They appointed nine persons from the area who chronicled their community  s version of Igbo origin. Those who carried the assignment are Ralph Igwah, Eddy Okoye, Osita Chinwuba, Jerome Nnechi, Paul Nnamah, Raph Chikwenze, Emma Ikem, George Ejimofor and Charles Chieze.

In their report, they said: We find it difficult to believe that a prominent member of the family of Eri, the progenitor of the Igbo, and of all personages, His Royal Majesty Obidiegwu Onyeso of Nri, is credited with such a grievous falsification of facts on the history of the Igbo.

Igwe Onyeso’s present stance, as reflected in the story, is a shocking contradiction to what he knows and believes to be the correct situation, as he practically and faithfully demonstrated during his visit to Aguleri in 1988, as part of the necessary traditional rites for the traditional ruler of Agukwu-Nri.

For him to be singing a different tune now, even to the point of contesting the headship of Eri clan, and by extension of Ndi Igbo, with Aguleri is, indeed, unfortunate.  The erroneous assertions by Igwe Onyeso have made it necessary to correct that impression and set the records of Igbo history straight, particularly their settlement in Nigeria.

The continued: Eri from Israel was the fifth son of Gad, the seventh son of Jacob (Genesis 46:15-18 and Numbers 26:16:18).  He migrated from Egypt with a group of companions just before the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt many centuries ago. They travelled by water and finally arrived at the confluence of Ezu and Omambala (Anambra) Rivers, located in present-day Aguleri, where, according to oral tradition, it was spiritually or divinely revealed to Eri that the point was to be their final destination and settlement. They moved into the hinterland and settled in the present-day Aguleri. Eri lived and died at Aguleri.

Agulu was the eldest son of Eri, and not Menri, as claimed by Igwe Onyeso. This is supported by oral tradition in Aguleri and in other communities of Eri clan. It is also confirmed by historical accounts by many writers of Igbo history.

As the population at the settlement of Eri at Aguleri increased, and in combination with other factors, the children of Eri and/or their descendants left the settlement and founded various other settlements outside Aguleri, while Agulu, the first son, remained in their father’s home at Aguleri with his descendants. Agulu, fondly called Agulu-Nwa-Eri, appended the name of their father, Eri, to his name and founded Agulu-Eri (Aguleri). Menri left Aguleri and settled at a big forest, where he engaged in hunting and farming, while also performing his spiritual work. He called the settlement Agu-Ukwu (Nri).

When he was getting very old, he told his children to take him back to his ancestral home, as he would not want to die outside his father’s home. Menri was brought back to Aguleri, where he died and was buried. His grave is still marked at Okpu, in Ivite Aguleri, till this day. There is no other grave site of Menri, the founder of Nri, anywhere else in Igbo land, even in Nri itself, except in Aguleri.

It is also a known fact that, by tradition, no Nri man would break the kolanut where an Aguleri man is present, except with his permission. This is in deference to the fact that Agulu (Aguleri) was the elder brother of Menri (Nri). Furthermore, in recognition of the fact that Aguleri is the first son of Eri and the ancestral home of Ndi-Igbo, as well as the custodian of all the spiritual sites and places of Eri kingdom, traditional rulers of Agukwu-Nri, from time past, till date, including the famous late Igwe Tabansi Udene, visited Aguleri for certain traditional rites, without which they would not have become traditional rulers of Nri. These facts amply confirm that Aguleri was the first settlement and the ancestral home of the Igbos, and not Nri, as erroneously claimed by Igwe Onyeso.

In fulfillment of the age-long traditional rites for kingship in Nri, Igwe Obidiegwu Onyeso, as Igwe-elect, visited Aguleri in 1988, accompanied by a delegation from Nri, which included the late prominent lawyer, Chief Ezebilo Umeadi (SAN). Igwe-elect Onyeso and his delegation spent seven days in Aguleri, from 9th February to 15th  February, 1988, visiting sacred places, paying homage and making sacrifices to certain deities/shrines.

It is, indeed, unbelievable that after going through these entire coronation rites, Igwe Onyeso could refer to his visit to Aguleri in 1988 in a very casual and less-than-honest manner. Also, by saying that Aguleri and Nri do not have much in common, Igwe Onyeso knows, from the bottom of his heart, that he was being very economical with the truth. His visit to Aguleri to collect the Ududu-Eze or clay from Agbanabo is not a casual affair. It goes with a lot of ceremonies and tradition.

Besides, Agbanabo, in the oral tradition of Eri clan, including Nri, is not just  any place ‘where two rivers meet’. It has great spiritual significance, because it was at this point that Eri had a divine revelation that they had reached their ordained place of settlement.   Members of Eri clan, including Nri, therefore, have a strong spiritual attachment to Agbanabo. And this has made it an important and mandatory feature in the coronation rites of the people of Nri.   That was why Igwe Onyeso had to go to Agbanabo, at Aguleri, as a matter of traditional obligation, and not merely as any place ‘where two rivers meet’.

The visit of Igwe Obidiegwu Onyeso, as Igwe-elect, with his people to Aguleri in 1988, including the places he went to, making sacrifices and paying homage to certain deities/shrines, was well captured in a video coverage. The video is available in Aguleri archives for anyone who cares to see and is interested in knowing the truth.

From historical facts, Aguleri, and not Nri, is the first son of Eri and the ancestral home of Ndi-Igbo. We do not know what propelled our brother, Igwe Obidiegwu Onyeso, to engage in virtual apostasy by repudiating the traditional rites he went through at Aguleri, as well as the unwarranted denigration of Aguleri and the sacred and spiritual facts about Eri and his descendants, even to the extent of saying that ‘Aguleri and Nri do not have much in common’. This was after he had stated that Aguleri and Nri were among the direct children of Eri.

We are, indeed, at a loss  to understand our brother any more. We hope it is not a case of ‘he who the gods want to destroy, they first make mad’. The spiritual and traditional bond between Aguleri and Nri cannot easily be wished away, just as we are reminded of the fate of some Igwes of Nri in the past, who failed to visit Aguleri to consummate the traditional rites for kingship in Nri. Perhaps, what happened to them is instructive and should be a guide to all it may concern!

By: Restore Biafra On 11/20/2014

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Biafrans Protests as FG fails to arraign 12 Biafra activists

 SOURCE.


The expected arraignment of 12 members of the Biafra Zionist Federation (BZF) before the Federal High Court Enugu on Thursday was stalled, prompting angry reactions from members of the group.

The Biafra activists are facing charges of treasonable felony.

The Attorney General of Federation (AGF) is prosecuting the accused persons on behalf of the Federal Government

As early as 8.am, BZF members thronged the court premises to
see their leaders, who had been in detention in an isolated police cell in Force Headquarters Abuja for over four months
now.

Although it was reliably gathered that the detainees were brought down to Enugu two days ago for their arraignment, they were not in Court.

The accused persons are Benjamin Onwuka (Leader of the Movement), Kelvin Eke, Samson Ijaga, Uduma Uduma, Bethrain Obiekwe,Abraham Ugwu, Paulinus Uzoegbu, Fidelis Nwaano, Nnamchi Ndubuisi, Michael Olennya, Jeophet Nwaodo and Aloysius Chukwuma.

The AGF, who filed the charge against the accused persons, also did not appear in Court yesterday.
 Addressing the Court, the defence counsel, Olu Omotayo, said he was surprised about the absence of the AGF.

Omotayo, who is the South-East Zonal Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said: “I am surprised that despite the fact that AGF has filed a charge in this case, the accused persons have not been brought to court.

“They have not written to Court about it. In this circumstance, we are asking for a very short date. On the next date, if they fail to bring them, we will ask that the matter be struck out.

“This is a ploy to frustrate our fundamental human rights suit, which we have filed. We are asking that they should be brought to court or they should be released. They filed the charge to frustrate our matter that is coming up next week”.

After hearing the submissions of the defence counsel, the presiding judge, Justice D. V. Agishi adjourned the matter for November 19.

Speaking with journalists outside the courtroom, National Chairman of BZF, Mr. Cyril Onyia expressed their disappointment over the setback in the arraignment of their leader, Ben Onwuka and 11 other members who have been in detention for over four months without trial.

“We are not happy. We came the other day and their lawyer pleaded that they will bring them today. We came today again, we didn’t see their lawyer and our people who they are holding in Abuja.

“I won’t say more than this because we are in court. We are waiting for the court to decide. We will not take law into our hands. We have never taken the law into our hands before”, Onyia said.

He noted that their members converged in the court from Kogi, Abuja, Lagos, Calabar, Benin and other parts of the country in solidarity with their comrades being held in captivity by the Federal Government, and not seeing them in court, they were now stranded.

By: Restore Biafra On 10/30/2014

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Biafra traced through factual history ... Part 1

Carol Chidinma Munday

Outline of History .. (The leaves of a tree can not survive without the roots of the tree.)

Many of us are interested in the pre-history of Biafra and its events. When we read any West African history in particular there are contradictory accounts, and its not always clear to differentiate between mythology and history. As we progress and more archaeological and historic research is acquired we will have a clearer factual account. I personally find it exciting to bring pieces of history together, I search for only the proven history that which emanates from written historical records.

THE PORTUGUESE CONNECTION TO BIAFRA

In 1454 Pope Nicholas V gave exclusive rights to Portugal to explore and conquest the African sea routes. Later because of a Columbus voyage that touched the Indies by a western route there was a dispute between the Spanish, the British and the French who had claimed they had used the routes before 1380 but this was not proven and Pope Alexander VI settled the dispute by a Papal Bull on 4th May 1493 giving Portugal the influence over a line drawn north and south a hundred leagues to the west of Cape Verde Islands, and the Spanish extended to the west of the line. So West Africa and what we are looking for Biafra and the Gold Coast were under Portugal influence for now until the soon decline of papal rule. The coast lines had been explored by the Europeans prior to this date as it is shown on The Medicean map of 1351 and 1356 at Florence, known as the Laurentian Portalano (sailing directory).

In 1472 the King of Portugal sent the ship Fernao Gomez to explore the coast lines and the Gomez reached LAGOS and this was the “first” recorded history that Europeans set foot in what was then Biafra, (yes on the old maps Lagos and Benin were part of Biafra and the capital city was in what is now Cameroon but we can argue this later, just keep an open mind as a lot has been bastardized over time). In 1481 British explorers tried to set out for Benin but the King of Portugal protested and under papal rule they were denied the voyage. In 1485 Jao Affonso d’Averio a portuguese made the journey to Benin to meet with the Oba and he was well received and not only gave them lots of pepper the Chief of Ugwato (the port of Benin) went to Portugal with the ship as an ambassador to the court of Portugal. The Portuguese loved the pepper it was good for the cold dull winter diet but the King never encouraged it as he had good relations with india trading for spice and didn’t want to cause any rivalry. The Oba/Chief had told them of the Yourba race in the interior lands and that the King of the interior lands was a white man a christian who would send slaves for them along with jewels in a cross, however the portuguese went to find this mythical King and it was never concluded so they took it to be a myth. The Portuguese ventured far up the cross rivers to lead mines in Abalkaliki. Jao Affonso d’Averio died on the Coast and he had spoken of the magnificence of the City of Benin in those days and the excellence of its art in brass and wood.

Jumping forward in time a bit, thou there is documented history on the explorers in the years in between and battles but I’m trying to keep concise and to the relevant parts..

In the years around 1700 in Benin there was a great warrior by the name of Chima he quarreled over the then kingship and took his followers and led them eastwards to the Niger where they divided into two groups one crossed to Onitsha and the other went down to Aboh (Delta). It is then noted (**please also note) that the Obi of Onitsha recognized the Obi of Aboh as his close relation not only his brother but his senior brother. Later as years went on and on the people begrudged to admit this and the relationship faded.

In 1644 Portuguese priests from Sao Tome Island visited King Mingo of Warri (Delta) and they tried to persuade him it was not good to have so many wives and that he should give them up, so the King agreed to the proposal and told them he would give up his wives only if they gave him one good one “a white one”. The priests agreed this was the only solution they returned to Sao Tome and persuaded a Portuguese woman from Sao Tome to marry the King and they did and they had many sons which there are authentic reports later of the mulatto Kings of Warri.

(Explains a little.. more history to follow as I search for and explore many records).

By: Restore Biafra On 9/10/2014

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