… Says 5,000 Lives Lost To Biafra Struggle So Far
THE leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday said that it is ready to negotiate the exit of the people of the South-East geo-political zone from the entity called Nigeria, claiming that over 5,000 of its members have lost their lives and property worth over $1 billion destroyed in the self-determination struggle.
The new initiative was contained in a statement signed by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, made available to newsmen in Enugu.
The statement titled, ‘IPOB Ready for Dialogue on Biafra Peaceful Negotiation and Referendum’, read: “We the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and we remain open for negotiations and dialogue on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN-supervised referendum.
“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB.
“IPOB members have been brutally attacked while on a peaceful protest by the Nigeria Security Forces at many locations in Biafra land. As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood; some have been permanently handicapped; some forcefully disappeared by the Nigeria Security Forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.
“Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and businesses burnt by the Nigeria Security Forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1 billion as a result of the extreme use of force by the Nigerian Security Forces. Irrespective of all the provocations from the Nigeria State, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigeria State.
“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations.
“The events from 1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and Nigeria to coexist as one nation. IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always returns the peaceful call with violent suppression.
“We have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws. We remain committed to pursuing our self-determination peacefully according to international laws and regulations.
“However, the Nigeria Government’s repressive approaches to stop the movement have led to the death of over six million Biafrans since 1967 to date, yet that has not quenched the desire for Biafrans to have their Independent State.
“For emphasis’ sake, IPOB does not have an army and has never supported or authorised anyone or any group to form an army. What IPOB has is a vigilante group called Eastern Security Network (ESN). ESN is an arm-bearing vigilante with a clear mandate of securing our forest and dislodging Fulani terrorists nicknamed herdsmen who were raping our women, killing our people, snatching cars, and destroying our farmlands and crops. ESN is not in any way a military arm of IPOB but a vigilante group.
“IPOB is ready to meet with the Nigerian government any day they are ready for negotiations on Biafra referendum. IPOB supports peaceful separation from the contraption formed by foreigners called Nigeria.
“We believe Biafra can be achieved without war and shedding of innocent blood of Biafrans or Nigerians. We are bold to say that IPOB has never raised arms against the Nigeria State, but we have defended ourselves and our land against Fulani herdsmen and their supporters. IPOB has not shed any innocent blood and will not shed any innocent blood but will always defend itself against an attack from any quarter.
“IPOB is ready for dialogue on Biafra referendum date and procedures. We want peace and are ever ready to leave Nigeria in peace but not the peace of the graveyard. We remain resolute and focused towards our goal, which is Biafra Independence via a referendum.
“The earlier the Nigeria government schedules a referendum date for Biafrans to decide their fate, the better for everyone.
“This message represents the views of our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU, IPOB leadership and the global family members of IPOB.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media