Ozubulu Church killings and the tales by moonlight from Gov. Obiano and co.

It is quite unfortunate that about 30 Biafrans were today murdered in cold-blood while in a Church service at St. Philips Catholic church, Amakwa, Ozubulu in Anambra state.

Yet to be identified gunmen who did not ask for money committed this atrocity. A witness has reported scores wounded apart from those that died instantly and taken to the mortuary. The anonymous witness also reported hearing one of the assailants speaking in Hausa language.

However, conflicting reports emanating from the murderous Nigerian DSS and Gov. Willie Obiano has it that it was drug gang related incident. He said it was connected to one drug Lord residing in South Africa known as Bishop and his opponents.

We believe that the story is being politicised as the Anambra governorship elections is by the corner and the effort to denigrate the Biafrans and Biafra restoration project by some unscrupulous individuals.

We will update this blog as soon as we have more credible information on the matter.

By: Restore Biafra On 8/06/2017

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[AUDIO] Radio France: Uche Mefor's response to the recent Amnesty report on the killing of 150 Biafrans.

Listen here :
A leading rights group has accused Nigerian security forces of killing at least 150 Biafran protesters. In a report released on Thursday, Amnesty International said the military fired live ammunition to disperse protesters between August 2015 and August this year. Biafran separatist groups want independence for the
Southeast of Nigeria - the first republic of Biafra was declared by a Nigerian military officer before the start of a three-year civil war. RFI's Daniel Finnan spoke to Uche Mefor, deputy leader, Indigenous People of Biafra…

By: Restore Biafra On 11/24/2016

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Amnesty international accuses Nigeria of killing at least 150 Biafra separatists

LAGOS (Reuters) - Amnesty International accused Nigerian security forces on Thursday of killing at least 150 peaceful advocates of Biafra's secession from Africa's most populous nation, but the military and police dismissed the allegations.

An army spokesman said Amnesty's statement, the latest in a series of allegations of impropriety levelled against Nigeria's military in the last year, aimed to tarnish the security forces' reputation. The police said they did not attack people holding demonstrations.

Amnesty said the military fired live ammunition, with little or no warning, to disperse members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group between August 2015 and August 2016.

Its 60-page report based on interviews with 193 people, 87 videos and 122 photographs from that period also said troops and the police used "arbitrary, abusive and excessive force to disrupt gatherings".

Secessionist feeling has simmered in the southeast since the Biafra separatist rebellion tipped the west African country into a 1967-1970 civil war that killed an estimated 1 million people.

It flared up again last year after IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was detained on charges of criminal conspiracy and belonging to an illegal society. That prompted supporters of Kanu to hold protests that Amnesty said were dispersed with live ammunition.

Army spokesman Sani Usman said Biafra separatists had behaved violently, killing five policeman at a protest in May and attacking both military and police vehicles.

"The military and other security agencies exercised maximum restraints despite the flurry of provocative and unjustifiable violence," said Usman.

Nigeria Police Force spokesman Don Awunah said officers "always abide by the law" and adhere to best practices. "We don't attack people who are demonstrating, which every Nigerian has a right to do," he said.

Witnesses told Amnesty that some protesters had thrown stones, burned tyres and, in one incident, shot at the police but added that "these acts of violence did not justify the level of force used against the whole assembly".

"This reckless and trigger-happy approach to crowd control has caused at least 150 deaths," said Makmid Kamara, interim director of Amnesty International Nigeria, who called on authorities to launch an investigation into the matter.

He said the government's deployment of troops at the events seemed "in large part to blame for this excessive bloodshed".

The report is the latest in a string of accusations levelled at the army by Amnesty. Last year it said more than 8,000 people died in detention during a crackdown on Boko Haram.

It also said soldiers killed hundreds of Shi'ite Muslims in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015. A judicial inquiry in August concluded that 347 people were killed and buried in mass graves after those clashes.

SOURCE

(Reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Tom Heneghan)

By: Restore Biafra On 11/24/2016

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OHANAEZE NDI IGBO SANCTIONS FULANI HERDSMEN: ORDER BOYCOTT OF FULANI RED MEAT (COWS)

 

 

 

 

OHANAEZE NDI IGBO SANCTIONS FULANI HERDSMEN: ORDER BOYCOTT OF FULANI RED MEAT (COWS)

 

OHANAEZE NDI IGBO SANCTIONS FULANI HERDSMEN. OHANAEZE NDI IGBO, WORLDWIDE 

 

(34-POSITIONS PRESENTATION OF CONCERNED IMEOBI MEMBERS)

RE: UNPROVOKED MASSACRE OF OUR PEOPLE AT NIMBO, UZOWANI LGA, ENUGU STATE BY FULANI HERDSMEN , ON MONDAY, THE 25TH DAY OF APRIL, 2016,. OUR 34 POSITIONS: 

 

1. We have viewed with grave concern, the reckless and callous attitude of the Fulani herdsmen, who had the effrontery to bring down their violence to our peaceful south-eastern states of Nigeria, by recently attacking our defenseless kiths and kin at Nimbo Community, Uzouwani, LGA, Enugu State, MASSACRED AND DISMEMBERED a lot of them, without any respect or value for human life.

 

2. These itinerant herdsmen have indeed drawn a line on the sand, and their actions and audacity will no longer be discountenanced. We must take steps to reduce the chances of re-occurrence of this kind of evil, again. 

 

3. Surely, we will not do anything illegitimate to express our displeasure in the killings of our people in our own land, by these itinerant Fulani herdsmen.

4. Our people were killed for Cows; and Cows we shall detest! 

 

5. We must express our disgust, in the modus operandi of the Security apparatus of this country. Security of lives and properties, have long been thrown into the winds, and people are dying like flies that encountered pesticide, and properties are being lost on daily basis from insecurity. Each time there is a heinous crime in this country, the security hierarchy will tell us that they will investigate and get to the root of the matter, and will bring the perpetrators to book, BUT no feedback of such investigations are ever heard again ad infinitum, examples abound. Till now we are still waiting to get report or feedback about the mystery multitude of corpses deposited at Ezu River, Amansea, Ugwuoba Enugu State few years ago. 

 

6. Our confidence greatly dwindles, as we believe, from experience, that the circumstances surrounding this current MASSACRE of our people at Nimbo Uzouwani; has, from the date of the incident, commenced its journey to being swept under the carpet. The Security network of the country should be accountable, up and doing, so as to restore our confidence. 

 

7. No reasonable person should try to politicize this issue of this ‘Nimbo Massacre’, by trying to make caricature of identity of the perpetrators of this heinous crime, which is well known to our people, to be the Fulani herdsmen. 

 

8. The pains of the killings of our brothers and sisters at Nimbo, in this millennium, in the manner the herdsmen did it recently, will NEVER go, unless strategic sanctions follow. We can NEVER mourn our brothers with continuous patronage to the blood-suckers, and vandals who brazenly trespass our backyards and farmlands in the name of feeding their cows. They feed their cows with our farm produce, impoverishing our people with failed agricultural yields; and finally they sell their Cows to us, and also sell their Farm produce, from their own undisturbed farmlands to us. Yet, no appreciation whatsoever is accorded to our cooperation, rather they killed and massacred our people (their major customers). 

 

9. We are not at war with the herdsmen, yet they treated us like this in our own country, and in our own land! 

 

10. The intensity, frequency and ferocity of clashes between herdsmen and rural farmers especially in the North-Central and Southern Nigeria constitute a clear and present danger to our national cohesion. The number of deaths, burnt houses, rapes, and murder of citizenry are too gruesome to be acceptable to any government. 

 

11. The present situation and development of killings of our people at Nimbo, is unacceptable, and an affront to the peaceful communities trying to irk out a living from subsistence farming in their own home. 

 

12. Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo also maintains that cattle rearing is a private business like every other business. It is therefore an absurdity, an infringement and abuse of citizens’ right for any legislator or Federal Government to think of acquiring other peoples’ land, for other peoples’ business, as suggested by the Grazing Reserve Bill 2016 being discussed by the National Assembly. We therefore totally dissociate ourselves from that. Such idea is unjust, unconstitutional, discriminatory and unfair. 

 

13. It also baffles us that the herdsmen are allowed to bear prohibited sophisticated firearms, and are NEVER arrested, while for other Nigerians it is against the law. Suffice it to say that justice demand that everybody should be given equal privilege in that regards; or they should be checked and disarmed as a matter of urgency, and publicly prosecuted accordingly. Concerned Imeobi Members of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Worldwide therefore maintains as follows: 

 

14. It is high-time our people are encouraged to defend themselves, “first”, before placing reliance on any other person; and should articulate themselves to wade-off any invader in future. 

 

15. Our people should learn and imbibe the culture of being ready to defend themselves legitimately at all times, and at all levels; at least to offer reasonable defence, in event of any impromptu attack, as we the Igbos are vulnerable and are grossly endangered. 

 

16. That the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo MUST set up as a matter of urgency, a ‘Security & Strategic endurance Committee’, and a ‘Central coordinating Security sub-Committee on Town Unions, Vigilante groups and Neighborhood watchers’. 

 

17. That we cannot mourn our kiths and kin, and the hostility against us in our own land by the continuous patronage of our assailants; hence ALL FAMILIES IN IGBO LAND SHOULD DE-LIST BEEF FROM THEIR MENU. There should be an outright indefinite suspension on the consumption of cow meat by any Igboman in Nigeria, even Cow SUYA. This should be one of the ways, we can mourn and remember our people that were massacred because of ‘common Fulani Cows’. In alternative, our people can go for the consumption of Igbo Specie of Cows, Goat, sheep, fowls etc. 

 

18. There SHALL be no more use of Fulani Cows for any Ceremony like Burials, Funerals, Weddings, Marriages, Thanksgivings, Celebrations etc, in Igbo land. 

 

19. Our youths should start as a matter of urgency to commence breeding ‘Igbo Cows’ for it to be used in place of Fulani cows in our ceremonies etc. Our Philanthropist should fund this project for the youths in their various domains

.

20. Honour and respect should be accorded more to any man or family who uses ‘Igbo cows’ for his ceremonies, as he or she is the true mourner, of our dead brothers at Nimbo Uzouwani; and also the person with the best interest of Ndi Igbo at heart. 

 

21. That our people who deal on these Fulani Cows should as true mourners of our dead brothers and sister, takes the needed steps to diversify their trade and de-emphasis Fulani Cow meat. 

 

22. Our people who are hoteliers, should quietly de-list beef from their menu (Except if it is Igbo Specie of Cow), in our collective interest. 

 

23. Ohanaeze Ndi igbo will need the cooperation of every Igbo family on the face of earth to achieve our goal; of eradicating blood thirsty vagabonds around us, who have no value for human life; especially by complying with the above stipulations. 

 

24. Town Unions, Village and kindred formations, Neighborhood Watch groups and Vigilante groups are to discreetly sanction and surcharge anyone of us who purchases or slaughters Fulani cow in his domain for any ceremony within the South- East. Such persons should be considered Saboteurs of our collective interest as Ndi Igbo, should be handled as a Traitor , by their own kinsmen, according to their individual local traditions and culture. Any sanction should be done without infringing on any dissident’s right, but in line with the tradition and customs of the concerned locality. 

 

25. He, who kills his customers, will no longer expect patronage; as he has killed his market! The Fulani herdsmen have overstepped their bounds in the South Eastern Nigeria, and they have killed their market with us; hence should find elsewhere. 

 

26. All Igbo formations anywhere in the World, should rise up to condemn this attack on our peaceful home, and demand arrest and public prosecution of the perpetrators of this heinous crime against us. No Igboman or Woman, or group should shut up; Voice out!, Killings are taboo and abomination in our own land! It will NEVER be treated with kid glove! 

 

27. That this massacre, is the first major massacre against the Igbo man in his own land since after the civil war ended in 1970. Hence 25th April, 2016 should be remembered by our people, as a mark of further aggression on our peaceful domain. 

 

28. A day will be set aside for the mourning of our lost kith and kin who were slaughtered and massacred by the Fulani herds men, in our own land. On such day, all markets, shops, and private trades and corporate offices of any Igboman will shut down in solidarity. Professional groups like NBA in the South East, will be expected to join in solidarity, except those on essential services like NMA. And no Igbo man (except civil Servants) will visit any government office (except Hospitals) in Nigeria for any transaction, on the said date. 

 

29. The State Houses of Assembly in all South Eastern states should as a matter of urgency pass a bill that will forbid any one from parading cattle across our farmlands, without being restrained, and without obtaining state issued license, and Local Government permits. 

 

30. That the Fulani herdsmen should as a matter of urgency vacate our backyards and farmlands as their security is no longer guaranteed, because of their crime against us, and because of the prevailing distrust. Every person, village and groups should join hands and legitimately treat them like trespassers. They are violent trespassers, which ought not to be condoned; and they are also nuisance that ought to be abated. 

 

31. Communities, businessmen and well meaning Igbo philanthropists should help equip and motivate the vigilante groups and neighborhood watches, in the South East. 

 

32. We warn our people against any unwholesome attitude, of betraying our collective interest, especially those who might be gullible to the extent of receiving gratifications and conniving with the Fulani herdsmen for economic gains, to perpetually seed out the land of their people. Serious complaints have so far been received about the President General and Traditional Ruler of Igboariam in Anambra East LGA, Anambra State; and we expect them to watch their steps. 

 

33. We know that some insensitive Igbo People, will try to make caricature of these sanctions, and flout it; but do not join them, for they shall, at the fullness of time, return to folk like the prodigal son. 

 

34. Let Ndi Igbo start with the above position, and see to which extent it can carry us. Enough is Enough! God bless Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo! God bless the Igbo man ! 

 

- Presented by Concerned IMEOBI Members, of Ohanaeze Ndi igbo, Worldwide; during IMEOBI meeting of 1st May, 2016, held at National Ohanaeze Secretariate, No. 7 Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu

By: Restore Biafra On 5/02/2016

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STOP THIS MADNESS! ; Fulani herdsmen, Bishop. Very Rev. Prof. Igwebuike Onah

(A Press Statement following the Massacre of Innocent Citizens in Nimbo, by Suspected Fulani Herdsmen)
«A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more» (Jer 31: 15).
 
This passage from the Prophet Jeremiah captures the present mood in Nsukka and, especially, in the hitherto quiet and peaceful farming community of Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area. When the news broke about the massacre of innocent, unarmed and defenseless citizens of Nimbo in the early hours of Monday 25 April by invading armed militants, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, the first question that popped into my mind was: "Again?" This was because similar stories had been heard from many parts of the country in recent times, including Abbi, another community in our Diocese, also in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area. The news of the attack was soon followed by a flood of human beings fleeing their homes and emptying into the urban centre of Nsukka, many of them scantily clad women clutching only their babies. Wailing filled the air as vans brought in lifeless bodies of persons who were slaughtered like animals for the crime of having been found in their homes or on the way to their farms. Such scenes sent the minds of the older ones back to similar scenes in 1966, when our people had to flee the places they had considered their homes in other parts of the country, as a result of the first ethnic cleansing in modem African history. The big difference now, 50 years after, is that we are being chased out of our homes in our own land, from our own farms, from our Churches, from our schools and from our village markets. As our people say, if a man is pursued from outside, he runs into his house; but when he is pursued from his house, he has no place to run to.
 
The most painful aspect of the Nimbo massacre is that it was announced, expected and executed without inhibition - in broad daylight! The State Government is reported to have made attempts to provide security in the area prior to the incident. But what those who lost their dear ones (especially those little babies now blankly staring into an uncertain future, because their fathers have been senselessly murdered) and all of us want to know is why, as the reports go, the security forces "tactically" withdrew shortly before the attack and why, when they later returned to the scene, there was no attempt to immediately pursue and arrest the perpetrators. 

At present, nobody can say with certainty the number of those killed, given that more of those who were badly wounded are still dying and some bodies are still being recovered from the bush where the people had been killed while taking refuge. Today, Ni.nbo is like a ghost town. It is equally disturbing that whereas the invading militants killed and maimed anybody they could find, the only houses they attacked were Christian religious houses. They burnt the house of one Pastor and from there headed straight to the residence of the Catholic Priest, where they attempted to bum the house but could not, since they did not find any petrol in the car and a motorcycle parked there, in the generator, and in the containers. When their attempt to break into the house also failed, they fired gunshots into the rooms, in an attempt to kill all those whom they suspected were hiding inside. And we are forced to ask: If these men were only herdsmen, why did they particularly single out Churches for their attack?
 
Nsukka people are peace-loving people. Why would anybody single them out for this type of massacre? In the name of God, I appeal to my peace-loving people to please remain law abiding and not to take the law into their hands. But even as I do this, I hear them asking aloud: Are there really any laws in this country guaranteeing the safety of our life and property even in our homes? If there are, is there anybody out there ready to enforce them? Or has this become a lawless country where violent persons can kidnap and kill, rob and rape innocent citizens in their homes, on the road, in their farms, at any time of the day or night, unhindered? How are we supposed to react to these threats to our very survival as a people when the Federal Government, who controls the security agencies, seems unwilling to protect us and the State Government appears incapable of defending us, since it has no control over these agencies? Our young people are asking us why the Police and the Armed Forces of the Federal Government are so swift and sometimes so high-handed in their reaction when unarmed persons march the streets in protest in the South East and so heavy - footed when it comes to stopping the massacre of the South Easterners anywhere in the country, even in their own homes. They are asking whether Boko Haram has actually been weakened or has only been redeployed from the North East to the South East. And we are scratching our heads in vain for the correct answers.

While we wait for these answers, we shout a loud and an absolute "NO!" to any form of violence even in the face of this persistent provocation. Reprisal attacks are not the answer. They are wrong; they are unlawful; they are un-Christian. Besides, we should not give the Police and the Army any excuses for adding to our woes, as they are sure to respond rapidly to any perceived form of aggression on our part.

We appreciate the position taken by President Muhammadu Buhari on this latest war-like attack on a peaceful community and hope that his directives will be carried out promptly. Protection of life and property of citizens is the primary responsibility of government and every other act of governance would lose its meaning if this was not guaranteed. We are consoled by what the President said. But only concrete actions can lead to the return of normalcy in the community. Nimbo and its neighboring communities are among the few remaining farming communities in our area and the herdsmen had earlier chased the people out of their larger farms. The rains have just started and they had begun work in the smaller farms nearer to their homes. And even from there too they have now been chased out. It is sad that in these hard times, when many have been crushed by the harsh economic conditions in the country, in addition to the loss of loved ones, many of our people are now homeless and all of us will also face the problem of acute food shortage in the near future.

We call on the Federal Government not only to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the massacre as well as their sponsors and collaborators, as the President has directed, but also to disarm all those who carry assault rifles publicly when they have no permission to bear arms. Some people predicted that Nigeria would be a failed State by the year 2015. All of us heaved a sigh of relief after the general elections and the smooth hand over last year. But any further delay in dealing with this and similar cases all over the country may lead those who made that prediction to affirm that its realization has only been delayed not avoided. If these incessant attacks and raids going on in many parts of the country are not stopped immediately, it may happen that by the time our President has won the war against corruption, there will no longer be any Nigeria left for him to govern.

We thank Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the efforts ne made to prevent the tragedy and for his timely interventions after, without which more lives would certainly have been lost. We expect, however, that he will use the tools at his disposal to prevent its reoccurrence in any part of the State and to find out why, despite his efforts and prior information, the security agents failed to protect the lives of innocent citizens. To our Senator Chuka Utazi, we say "Gbagaa!", in ail the meanings of that word, for what he has been and done for his people during this time of crisis. We also thank the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, for promptly visiting Nimbo and for promising to bring those responsible for the massacre to book. But we are forced to wonder whether it does not bother him that some herdsmen in this country are better armed than some of our Policemen. Does it mean that the lives of cattle in some parts of the country are worth more than the lives of human beings in some other parts?

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka is in mourning for her dead children and in pains for the displaced ones. We are also living in fear because we do not know where and when the armed militants will strike next. In the meantime, we shall do what we can to offer some help to the displaced persons, relying on the usual generosity of our people. But we have absolute faith in the abiding presence of God among us. In these difficult and trying times, all of us, especially those who have lost dear ones, should know that God is even nearer to us than we thought. Let us turn to him in prayer, asking him to receive our dead ones in his kingdom and heal our bleeding hearts. We direct that Masses and prayers be offered in all the Churches in the Diocese next Sunday, while awaiting the detailed programme for our prayer in this period which will be announced later. As good Christians, we should, like our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for these who persecute and kill us: «Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing» (Lk 23:34). We also pray for those whose responsibility it is to protect and defend us. We are sure that in no distant time we shall also hear the voice of the Lord saying to us: «Stop your weeping dry your eyes ... There is hope for your future after all ... your children will return to their homeland» (Jer 31: 16-17).

Nigeria is a country richly blessed by God with abundant human and natural resources. For decades we have continued to senselessly slaughter ourselves, squander our resources and destroy our environment. We call on all to please stop this madness, so that, as a people, we may realize our full potentials for the benefit of all and to the glory of God.

Godfrey Igwebuike ONAH
(Catholic Bishop of Nsukka)
Friday 29 April 2016

By: Restore Biafra On 4/30/2016

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INTERSOCIETY releases NAMES AND DETAILS of IPOB members allegedly butchered and dumped by soldiers across River Niger

The International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (INTERSOCIETY) on Thursday 7th April made good its promise of two days ago to release detailed information concerning “the shooting, abduction, murdering and dumping in Onitsha General Hospital Mortuary of some jubilant members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by soldiers of the Onitsha Military Cantonment led by Col Issah Abdullahi.”

The group said in a statement issued in Onitsha, signed by Board Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Programme, Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Esq., and Head, Campaign & Publicity Department, Uzochukwu Oguejiofor Esq.: “The dastardly act was perpetrated on 17th of December 2015 at the Onitsha Niger Bridgehead in Anambra State, Southeast of Nigeria.

“We had earlier reported that not less than 80 members and supporters of the IPOB were shot and killed by the security forces, which also shot and terminally maimed over 170 others particularly in the Southeast and the South-south zones. The shootings and killings took place between 30th of August 2015 and 9th of February 2016 during nonviolent and peaceful protests and processions associated with nonviolent pro Biafra agitation. While the killings are concentrated in three locations of Onitsha/Awka, Aba and Igweocha (Rivers State); the shootings and their victims are majorly found in five locations of Onitsha/Awka, Asaba, Enugu, Aba and Igweocha (Rivers State). The Nigerian Army accounts for 65% of the culpability, while the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Navy Command account for 30% and 5% respectively.

“The crude State violence used was fueled by pronouncements to that effect by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Turkur Buratai and retiring IGP, Solomon Arase. The pronouncements, which were widely publicized in local and international visual, audio-visual and online media; specifically directed their sub commanders and subordinates to use  maximum force and other available means to crush any peaceful procession or protest associated with pro Biafra agitation.

“Apart from the shootings and killings, hundreds of IPOB/pro Biafra activists and their supporters particularly in the South-south and the Southeast zones are presently languishing in various prisons across the country after being arraigned in inferior courts that do not have jurisdictional competence to try them in spurious charges of capital felonies leveled against them. Such felonies carry death penalty and life imprisonment on conviction. This segment of the dastardly act is solely perpetrated by the Nigeria Police Force; in addition to indiscriminate arrest and arbitrary detention of members and supporters of the group using criminal stigmatization by labeling them “Biafra members”. Torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment is also a routine and commonly used by soldiers, navy and police personnel in the treatment of arrested and detained IPOB activists. There are also cases of disappearances of IPOB/pro Biafra activists and supporters. In Abia State and between the State and Rivers State, corpses of unarmed citizens suspected to be IPOB/pro Biafra activists and their supporters are indiscriminately dumped in burrow pits or buried in shallow graves. While 16 dead bodies were recently discovered in two locations in Aba and environs, there is also latest discovery of eight more corpses in a pit in the border town of Etche in Rivers State. The area is located between Abia, Imo and Rivers states.

“According to Comrade Michael Okoro, an IPOB official in Abia State and a resident of Aba, “I went to the abandoned site last week where the eight corpses were dumped and I saw them.  We strong suspect that those eight new corpses dumped in Etche Community are members of our organization (IPOB) arrested in their homes and other locations as well as those arrested by soldiers since 9th of February 2016 at Ngwa High School, who were moved to the Ohafia Military Barracks. One of those arrested on that day and taken to Ohafia Barracks alongside others, got freed recently on account of his father’s wealth and connections. It was from him and other reliable resources that we gathered that even up till now, our members are still there while others whereabouts are unknown till date. It is possible they are taken to those secret places alive and executed. Families whose loved ones have gone missing on account of IPOB nonviolent protests in Aba are too afraid to speak out”. This expressly suggests that the Nigerian Army in the area dominated by soldiers of Hausa-Fulani stock is engaged in systematic and secret execution of those in their captivity, after which they are sparsely dumped in pits or buried in mass graves.

“Pretrial Arbitrary Detention Of IPOB Officials: Twenty officials (20) and members of the IPOB from Abia, Imo and Rivers States who were arrested by the Abia State Police Command since 9th of February 2016 during the shooting and killing of 22 IPOB activists and injuring of over 30 others at Ngwa High School in Aba are still languishing in Umuahia Prisons. They were arraigned in inferior court (Magistrate Court 1) in Umuahia, which lacks jurisdiction to try them over capital felonies slammed on them; following which they were sent to prisons as “awaiting trial detainees” and till date, their trial has not commenced. While 16 of them were arrested on 9th of February 2016, four others have been in pretrial detention since January 2016. Their names are (1) Ugwoha Okechukwu, (2) Okechukwu Nnebedum, (3)Donatus O. Okeke, (4) John Onyebuchi, (5) Ifeanyi Okike, (6) Amos Nkemjika Ezekiel, (7) Joseph Okorie, (8)Ani Chimezie, (9)Jude Amiche, (10) Emeka Ezeugo, (11)Igwechukwu Ebuka,(12)Monday Ibenji, (13) Okwudili Okafor, (14) Nnabuike Obasi, (15) Ngozi Onuorah (she is married with five children), (16) Nwogu Ginikachi  and (17) Nwogu Eberechi (sisters), (18) Chibuzor Okpara, (19) Oluchukwu Bekee (she is married with a kid) and (20) Nnene Ekwueme (she is married with six children).

“Summary of the Butchery across the Niger: Clusters as well as extensive nonviolent protests and processions by IPOB/pro Biafra activists and their teeming supporters were between 30th of August and 2nd of December 2015 organised in Anambra State particularly in Onitsha and environs; followed by Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Awka. Other than that of 30th of August and that of 2nd of December 2015; there were no reports of casualties and gunshot wounds. In the 30th of August 2015 nonviolent protest near the Awka Government House embarked upon by the women wing of IPOB, some of them sustained wounds inflicted on them by police personnel attached to Awka Government House. In the 2nd of December 2015 large protest in Onitsha and environs, the security forces (police, army and navy) shot and killed at least 13 IPOB/pro Biafra activists and their supporters and terminally maimed over 20 others. In the two protests under reference, not less than 13 IPOB/pro Biafra activists and their supporters were shot and killed and over 24 others terminally maimed. In the entire shootings and killings associated with IPOB/pro Biafra nonviolent protests, processions and jubilations in Anambra State, over 27 IPOB activists and supporters were killed by security and over 40 others terminally maimed. The casualties include five persons that died later in the hospital following terminal gunshots.

“17th of December 2015 Massacre of Jubilant IPOB/pro Biafra Activists at Onitsha Niger Bridgehead: Following a pronouncement made by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for immediate and unconditional release of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu (POC), which Federal Government of Nigeria later flouted; members of the IPOB, dominated by the Obosi Zone of the group at Nkpor abandoned their scheduled meeting same day and went into a celebration match along Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. The jubilant group in their dozens peacefully marched and sang along the Expressway before headed towards the Onitsha Niger Bridgehead to pay homage to the statue of late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu erected before the Bridge. On getting to the spot, soldiers of Hausa-Fulani extraction stationed at the Bridge sighted them and pulled their triggers. Before the jubilant IPOB members knew what was happening, the murderous soldiers had opened fire on them, killing at least nine of them instantly and terminally maiming over 17 others.

“As if that was not enough, the murderous soldiers attached to the Onitsha Military Cantonment made away with corpses of those they killed and a number of others with gunshot wounds. Others abandoned by soldiers were rushed to hospital by sympathizers and unhurt IPOB activists. The soldiers later stormed the Multi-care Hospital where they were taken to and abducted 22 of them including the victims’ relatives and those injured who were at terminal state. The soldiers stormed the Hospital around 10:08pm same night of the dastardly act (17th of December 2015). They later in the same night brought back five of them who were at terminal state. The remaining others were held hostage in the Onitsha Army Barracks till 19th of December 2015 when they were transferred to the State CID at Awka following advocacy outcries by our organization and the Anambra State Branch of the CLO. Following efforts made by the two rights groups, all the 17 army hostages taken to the State CID were freed, except those they shot and abducted at the Niger Bridgehead on 17th of December 2015. Among the 17 citizens held hostage by soldiers (injured and relatives)  were Amaechi Alo, Ejike Jideofor, Onyema Ikeagwu, Emeka Nwaoba, Emeka Eneje, Felix Okeke, Prince Ogechukwu Okonkwo, etc. Names of the five citizens at terminal injury state returned by soldiers to the the Multicare Hospital same night were given as Nzubechukwu Okonkwo (Prince), Chinonso Nwele, Debeluchi Chukwu, Chigozie Nweke and Chinonso. Four of the wounded citizens shot by soldiers later died in the Hospital, in addition to another gunshot victim that died at the Paragon Hospital.

“Dumping of Abducted & Murdered IPOB Activists at Onitsha General Hospital Morgue: Following the dastardly act perpetrated by soldiers of the Onitsha Military Cantonment led by Col Issah Abdullahi, search parties were raised by IPOB members and families of the victims. The searches were extended to River Niger where divers were hired as well as visits to public mortuaries; all in search of missing IPOB activists. Weeks later, a breakthrough was recorded when information got to the IPOB that three of their members shot and abducted by soldiers on 17th of December 2015 were found dumped at the Onitsha General Hospital mortuary. The Hospital is owned by the Government of Anambra State. Initial efforts made to confirm the information from the Hospital hit a brick wall following a firm order by the Hospital management to the staffs of its mortuary section to keep a sealed lip on the issue. It took weeks of cries, lamentations and persuasions from families of the victims to sooth the conscience of some staffs; on strict condition of anonymity. It was unofficially revealed to IPOB, victims’ families and our organisation that some soldiers of the Onitsha Military Cantonment stormed the Hospital with some police personnel from the Onitsha Central Police Station (CPS) and deposited the three corpses of  murdered IPOB members on 21st of December 2015; four days after the shooting and killing rampage.

“Further investigations revealed that the corpses were hidden somewhere in Awka before they were transferred to the Onitsha Government General Hospital on the approval of some officials of the Government of Anambra State. Investigations further revealed that “soldiers cannot deposit such murdered corpses in public mortuary on their own without the involvement of the police”, which was why they sought and secured the involvement of police personnel of the CPS, Onitsha. Arrangements were unofficially made by the mortuary section of the Hospital with the victims’ families and the IPOB, leading to facial and pictorial identification of their murdered loved ones; after which their corpses were removed from the Hospital and taken home for burial on 11th and 12th of March 2016. Our organization visited the Hospital on 8th and 9th of March 2016. The three murdered corpses and their States, LGAs and Communities’ of their origin are: (1) Michael Nweke (37) from Aguekka, Ekka Community of Ezza North LGA in Ebonyi State. He was buried on 11th of March 2016; (2) Peter Chukwuma Nwankwo (26) from Amaokpo in Nssakra Omege Community of Ezza South LGA in Ebonyi State. He was buried on 11th of March 2016, and (3) Mathew Ndukwe Kanu (25) from Ndiodo Community in Akanu-Ohafia LGA in Abia State. He was buried on 12th of March 2016.

“The link below contains written testimonies of the immediate relatives of the three murdered IPOB activists. The relatives are (1) Sunday Nweke (younger brother to late Michael Nweke), (2) Frank Chijioke Nwankwo (elder brother to late Peter Chukwuma Nwankwo) and (3) Grace Onyinyechi Kanu (elder sister to late Mathew Ndukwe Kanu). They met with Intersociety recently.  http://intersociety-ng.org/site-administrator/downloads/category/3-article?download=439:testimonial-accounts-of-the-victims-relatives.

“We renew our call for international inquiries or investigations into these dastardly acts. The Buhari administration must stop the ongoing ethnic cleansing and mass murder of unarmed and nonviolent members of the Igbo Ethnic Group in Nigeria and refrain from pushing the innocent Race to the wall. We also demand for international arrest and prosecution of the following security chiefs in Nigeria: (1) Lt General Turkur Buratai (COAS), (2) IGP Solomon Arase (retiring Police IG), (3) Col Issah Abdullahi (Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment), Lt Kasim Sidi Umar (Commander of 144 Battalion, Aba), (4) CP Hosea Habila (CP of Abia State), and (5) ACP Peter Nwagbara (Aba Area Commander); among others for their collective and individual involvements in the dastardly acts under reference. We also call on the international community and local and international rights and media groups to mount and sustain intensive pressures on the authorities of the Nigerian Army and their Onitsha Military Cantonment for the purpose of disclosing where they dumped the corpses of other IPOB/pro Biafra activists and their supporters shot, murdered and abducted alongside those of late Citizens Michael Nweke, Peter Chukwuma Nwankwo and Mathew Ndukwe Kanu on 17th of December 2015 at the Onitsha Niger Bridgehead.

“We also demand for immediate and unconditional release of Citizen Nnamdi Kanu (POC) and others standing kangaroo trials and political persecutions with him as well as 20 IPOB officials and members dumped at Umuahia Prisons before and since 9th of February 2016, whose names are given above. The continuing detention of women among them particularly those with little children at home is a serious affront to the principles and purposes of the United Nations as well as the basic standards of the international law and humanitarian principles.”

•Photo by INTERSOCIETY shows Col. Issah Abdullahi, Commander, Onitsha Military Cantonment (Left) with some of his henchmen.

SOURCE:

By: Restore Biafra On 4/07/2016

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If Nigeria Cannot Tolerate Biafra, Let Her Go.

Ijaw Youths Replies Buhari: If Nigeria Cannot Tolerate Biafra, Let Her Go.
By C. K. Ekeke

If Nigeria cannot tolerate Biafra, She should let her go by C. K. Ekeke As a student of leadership and leaders, I can conclude without bias, even though President Buhari is only 10 months in office, that he has failed woefully as a leader and may go down in history as the worst Nigerian President and probably ranking second to brutal dictator Idi Amin of Uganda because of his flagrant abuse of rule of law, massive killings, clamp down of his opposition and imprisonment of innocent Nigerians across the land.

I have taken time to analyze his media speech of last December, how and what he said about Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader – Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, Ndgibo and now on pro Biafra youths this week during his interview on Al Jazeera while in Qatar, all sum up to the kind of nonsensical tribal leaders that Nigerians elect and the shameless mistake that the Nigeria State has become.

President Buhari’s utterances regarding the issue of Ndigbo, IPOB and its leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu are bereft of any wisdom as a 72 year old man. It also shows his hatred for Ndigbo and SE region. I’m careful to say that Nigeria has made a grave mistake to elect Buhari as their President. He is a dictator and a tribal leader. That’s not what Nigeria needs in the 21stcentury. At a time when nations are tapping into the limitless opportunities of technology, innovation and collaboration, we do not need a tribalist and dictator to divide and move us back to dark ages but rather to advance the nation through its diversity, strength and abundant resources. Nigeria needed a visionary and unifier.

And by the way, the President is on the wrong side of history. Perhaps, he has not studied history to know that dreams, freedom, liberty, justice, etc. cannot be quashed like that. Since independence, Nigeria has floundered without vision and purpose. Nigeria is a failed State and there’s no hope for her if she continues on its current path and policies.

A restructured nation, or in the case of Ndigbo – Biafra is an alternative hope for millions of unemployed youths who live in distressed region without infrastructure, jobs, and future. The Nigerian State has not offered them any hope but instead massacre. Biafra youths want to live in a nation where they can pursue their God-given dream and purpose; where they can fulfil their God-given potential. They want to live in freedom where they can release their God-given potential. Today, that aspiration, their lives and destinies are denied, or under siege and caged.

Speaking of freedom, Samuel Bowles, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, USA wrote, “The cause of freedom is the cause of God.”

The Apostle Paul writes, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery” – Galatians 5:1. Second Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” The late leadership guru and writer, Dr. Myles Munroe, in his bestseller, “The Burden of Freedom,” writes, “The pursuit of freedom is the greatest pursuit of the human heart.

Everyone cries for freedom and desires to be free.” Human freedom is the supreme goal and value of true democracies around the world. Despite this yearning to be free; billions of people especially in Africa and other third-world countries are denied of it. Why is it different in Nigeria/Africa?

The U.S. President John F. Kennedy, once said, “The cost of freedom is always high but Americans have always paid for it. And one path we shall never choose and that is the path of surrender, or submission.”

I want to inform President Buhari that time is up for Africans to be free. He should lead that cause in Africa starting with his won country Nigeria – instead of putting people in chains using his crude and uncivilized military force while hundreds are being killed and thousands injured.

Since he became President of Nigeria 10 months ago, thousands of innocent Nigeria’s have been massacred and millions fled their homes leaving behind their jobs and businesses. Across the landscape, all we see and read is violence, killings, massacre and death. What a nation!

As a leader, Buhari has not shown any judgement, temperament and wisdom to address the social and political unrest brewing up in the country. I hope he’s prepared to wage the insurgency, violence and perhaps ultimately war because he cannot deny people freedom for so long and expect them to live in bondage, captivity, and slavery for eternity.

That has never been the condition of human beings or groups of people and nations. If he continues leading this way he is going about the challenges and crises facing the nation and his government, he may lead Nigeria to disintegration and abyss. I hope he has built plenty prisons and enough army to fight millions of Biafrans around the globe, who are just fed up with systemic marginalization and satanic conspiracy against their region.

While former heads of State like Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Gowon, and thoughtful Nigerians like Wole Soyinka as well as others have called for peace, unity and for the President to trade softly and address the issue of Biafra and other concerns, he chose rather to ignore the wise call, dismiss it by calling it a joke, instead sends his Boko haram soldiers to kill innocent Biafra youths in SE/SS regions and thinks he can get away with such impunity and incivility.

Nigeria has never been a nation. Every truthful Nigerian knows that the nation is fundamentally flawed. That’s why President Goodluck Jonathan organized a national conference to address the imbalances and injustices of the federal government against her variant groups of people.

Here are some of the immortal words of Nigeria’s nationalist and founding fathers: “Since 1914 the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but the Nigerian people themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, in their religious beliefs and customs and do not show themselves any signs of willingness to unite … Nigerian unity is only a British invention” – Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, 1948.

“Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no ‘Nigerians’ in the same sense as there are ‘English,’ ‘Welsh,’ or ‘French,’ The word ‘Nigeria’ is a mere distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not” – Chief Obafemi Awolowo, 1947.

“It is better for us and many admirers abroad that we should disintegrate in peace and not in pieces. Should the politicians fail to heed the warning, then I will venture the prediction that the experience of the Democratic Republic of Congo will be a child’s play if it ever comes to our turn to play such a tragic role” – Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, 1964.

I totally agree with the forefathers in what they said about Nigeria. Nigeria is not a nation. The amalgamation was an experiment that expired in January 2014. Nigeria needs to be re-negotiated. It’s an evil enterprise created by the British for their selfish and political hegemony in Africa.

Moreover, Nigeria is also ruled by selfish, hypocritical and profusely corrupt individuals. They are haters of human development and progress. They are the real problem – not really the poor and struggling masses – and that’s why it’ll continue to flounder. Nigeria is under siege and needs to be saved.

Nigeria will never work as constituted. I’m for one true united and peace-loving nation but not as constituted currently. We have to be sincere, say the truth and speak out courageously about these things and stay engaged because of our young ones and future generation. And the fear is that Nigeria will never change or deal with their challenges in a civilized manner, but will rather resort to path of violence and war.

1. Former Soviet Union: between 1989 and 1990s divided into 15 republic—Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Ukraine, Belorussia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kirgizia.

2. Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ended in 1991 and 6 countries—Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (including the regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina) and Slovenia. Today, those six nations are prospering in peace.

3. Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1991 and Eritrea were granted rights to its own government. In fact, today Ethiopia and Eritrea are living in peace, harmony, and prospering.

4. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum that passed with 98.83% of the vote by the people and facilitated by the United Nations and African Union.

5. Quebec is currently asking from independence from Canada.

6. Scotland is asking for independence from Britain.

So why is Biafra’s case different – a region that covers a total area of almost 30,000 square miles, thus almost as big as Gambia and Sierra Leone put together, bigger than Togo, Rwanda and Burundi combined, and is four times the size of the Republic of Israel – the top #3 technological and innovative nation on the planet.

And finally, we know about India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet – all these nations used to part of the Indian empire in the past.

Why is Biafra’s case any different? Why does Nigeria want Biafra to remain in perpetual slavery in Nigeria by force, while continue to treat her like trash and nobodies and deny her people their God-given potential, productivity, progress and purpose? Do you force someone to remain in adulterous marriage? Even God in His infinite grace permitted divorce between married couples and nations.

Moreover, Biafra region and its people fulfills the requirements of the United Nations Charter for self-determination. I just don’t understand why we can’t do things as civilized people in Nigeria/Africa. It’s baffling and shameful.

C. K. Ekeke, PhD, is a theologian, author, activist, and leadership lecturer. He is the president of leadership wisdom Institute.

By: Restore Biafra On 3/08/2016

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Nnamdi Kanu must die by hanging: Rochas Okorocha.

 

 

The state Governor of Imo state (ROCHAS OKOROCHA) openly told members of the Igbo Elders Forum at the state house that they should be grateful that Buhari apprehended a criminal and terrorist like Nnamdi Kanu who deserves to be persecuted by hanging.

 

He told them that Biafra has long been dead with Ojukwu and not even Amadioha can resurrect it, that very soon many youths will loose their lives in the name of this struggle. On behalf of all the state governors in the Eastern region, we have unanimously agreed with President Buhari not to release that terrorist and troublesome boy who does not know his root. Nigeria will remain as one and the Igbos will be part of it.

 

Source: An Elder present at the Meeting who is sympathetic to the Biafran cause. For the security of his life, he would prefer not to be named.

By: Restore Biafra On 1/15/2016

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Buhari using Nigerian miitary to kill unarmed protesting Biafrans

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, on Thursday, read the riot act to those calling for the exit of Nigeria’s south-east and parts of the south-south to form an independent nation of Biafra; an indication that the Nigerian military appears to be losing its cool with young pro-Biafra agitators.

 Relying on the military Rule of Engagement for internal security operations, Abubakar warned that the armed forces is empowered by the constitution to suppress what he described as insurrection or civil disobedience.

He added that the military has the responsibility to restore order when called upon to do so by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The implication of this, according to him, is that troops have to use necessary force to quell crisis of this sort.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the military’s Rule of Engagement sets out the circumstances and limitations under which the military can enforce laws under situations of unrest, agitations and civil disobedience,” he said.
Air Marshal Abubakar added that should the military be provoked, it will definitely protect the sovereignty of the country, warning the Biafran agitators to stay advised.
The Nigerian Army has also cautioned citizens in the country against attempts seeking the disintegration of Nigeria.
The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, while addressing newsmen in Damaturu in company of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, also reminded Nigerians of the Rule of Engagement for internal security operations.

By: Restore Biafra On 11/12/2015

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Biafrans are heroic people & the minorities are more loyal than other Biafrans: Bishop of Birmingham(1968).

    

By THE LORD BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM (John Leonard Wilson) while addressing the UK parliament about Biafra on 29th of April, 1968. SOURCE.

   My Lords, I do not apologise for speaking on this subject, even at this late hour, because it is one of great importance. Although it may not be a "forgotten war" it is one that very few people know much about. I have often asked people what they know about Biafra, and they have said. "Isn't that an Italian football club?" That is about as far as the large majority of people can go. Yet this is not just a tribal internal matter; it is a matter of a large number of people.

    I know it is difficult to get at the truth, and that people use the words "truth" and "liberty" for base and ignoble ends. I know there are many rebels against just law and wholesome moral restraint who have masked their caprice under the name of "liberty". On the other hand, we should have to blot out half the pages of heroic history if we are to erase the deeds done, the suffering endured, in the name of liberty. I am sure Biafra comes in the second category. They are heroic people. Some may regard them as wicked because they defend themselves, but I was there last month and I spent five days, not only with the Ibos who are the main body in the central part, but also with the minorities, and there is no doubt whatever that they are strongly Biafran—the minorities included. I will speak about them later.

    I do not want to raise too many difficulties about the question of bombs. It is quite certain that people believe that the bombs are British, and I said to them: "If I am going to be briefed as an advocate I must have the truth, and I must have evidence which would stand up in a court of law". They did not give me the evidence that would satisfy me in a court of law, but I did see the outside shells. I saw the casings which said, "Made in Britain" and I saw "GE" cut off—and it could not have been stuck on, because every dent and every cut corresponded with the other half of the casing underneath it. If it was faked it was done by a highly skilled person who had come from China, or somewhere like that. But it was not faked; it was definitely what it purported to be. When we put it to them that these may have come from another nation to which Britain had sold them, their answer was, "No, Britain makes a stipulation that they are not for re-sale". Of course that does not mean that the stipulation is kept.

    I also argued—and I hope genuinely, because I believe what I have heard—that there was not an escalation. I dislike the fact that we went on sending arms, but I do not think we had escalated the war to that extent. When I asked whether these bombs might have been there before, the man in charge of the ordnance gave me his full assurance that he was there before this war broke out and therefore he could certify that they were not there because there was nothing of that kind among the ammunition which had come from Britain. However, there were the markings and sufficient superficial evidence for a large number of people to believe this story. It is easy for these things to be exaggerated, and I hope there may be some way of convincing them by an assurance that it is a lie. For instance, one might have suggested an examination by Crown Agents, or something like that.

    I want now to address myself to the question of minorities, because this is an important and delicate question. It is true that many of the minority peoples were in positions of responsibility in the Biafran Government. It is true that there had always been peaceful relationships, cultural exchanges and a good deal of inter-marriage between these peoples. But the main brunt of the destruction in the war fell on these areas and had the effect of stiffening their loyalty to Biafra rather than the reverse. It had been pointed out that we could only meet the leaders, who were unquestionably loyal to Biafra—the others might be far away. It is true that one cannot examine every witness, yet the crucial test was the force of the argument put to me by Colonel Ojukwu: what happens when the minority areas are invaded? Instead of falling into the arms of the Federal soldiers and greeting them as great liberators, the inhabitants retreated towards Biafra. I went to meeting after meeting which was crowded by various minority groups who gave me "large welcomes", as they put it, a little tempered by their dislike of Britain, but still thinking that the Church of England was the Government of England. I tried to disillusion them on that point, and said that we had very little influence whatsoever but that I would do my best to put their case forward.

    These were people from minorities, who said that they would be loyal as Biafrans. In some cases they were critical of individual leaders, but still they were more loyal than the other Biafrans. So I do not think there would be a great deal of trouble with the minorities. There is no doubt that some kind of a nation has been formed and, as I said out there, I consider it is a crazy way to try to get people into a Federation—bombing their civilians; and I know it was civilians because time after time I was shown the hospitals, the market places, the colleges that had been bombed. Of course there may have been military objectives as well to which they did not take me, but I went up as far as Onitsa and I saw what they were doing. I definitely saw a large number of market places that had been bombed. How can we expect people, 30,000 of them, or even if we amend it to 20,000, being massacred not in war but definitely being massacred, chiefly as they came out of the churches, right through the North, to federate? Between 1 million and 2 million were scattered from their homes—and these are true facts which are accepted generally.

    To go on bombing their peoples and then say, "You will come into the Federation whether you like it or not, and it is one of the conditions that you must come in and can never have your independence", is asking for trouble. We have asked for it in our own British history, and had it for years, with a certain country that used to be part of Great Britain and is now a republic. You will never get these people working together for a very long time unless there is far greater mutual trust. They definitely believe that it is genocide; that the others want to wipe out the Ibo people. They think it is also a religious war. I tried to calm them down. They think it is Moslems against Christians. There are no Moslems among the people in that western part of the Eastern Region; they are nearly all—95 per cent. of them—Christians, chiefly Roman Catholics, though there are a large number of Anglicans, Presbyterians and Methodists, with great names like Mary Slessor of Calabar, whose great work is remembered with love and affection by the people she cared for and thought of. And now so many of them are being killed by arms which they think are coming from Britain.

    I know it is true to say that "If you stop your supply other people will supply bombs". But the psychological effect would be tremendous if Britain said, "It is time you got together, and until you do we are not going to send any more arms". I doubt whether one could say that it was a de facto Government, let alone de jure, of the Federal Army. The main thing, if we are to get them to come together, as I hope we shall (I do mot think it will be in London, because of this deep feeling: I wish it could be, because I think Ojukwu would be safer here) is that they should come together without conditions. When I say "without conditions" I mean just that. I pressed Ojukwu on this question. He had at first said a cease-fire and peacekeeping forces on the borders. But later on, I understand, it was to be entirely without conditions, though the cease-fire would be at the beginning of the agenda. Let us try to get that. But do not let 'us British try to force them back, because we had a wonderful blueprint of a great union of Nigeria. Do not let us press them too hard to go back into something which will cause more and more difficulty in the future. I am grateful to the Commonwealth Secretariat. They have done fine work. I am extremely grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, for introducing this Question, and giving us a chance of clearing our minds as to what are the real issues.

By: Restore Biafra On 8/05/2014

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Biafra Remembrance Day: #30thMay2014 IPOB Malmö, Sweden - SVT news.

From the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra living in Malmö, Sweden. The clip was covered by SVT (Sveriges Television AB) who are the largest media house in Sweden on the 30th May, 2014.

By: Restore Biafra On 6/01/2014

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