Published: February 9, 2016
IPOB members run for safety as Nigerian Government declares war on them
Members of the indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB are currently,on the run for the safety of their lives following the declaration of war against them by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
IPOB protesters with Biafran flag
IPOB members have in their recent activities intensified agitations for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra. Unfortunately, the development was strongly condemned by the Nigerian Government, hence, it has continued to arrest and prosecute IPOB members anywhere they are found in the country .
Part of the group's agitations was for the Nigerian Government to free its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kalu from detention. Also, it could be recalled that the people of Southeastern Nigeria have for the past six decades been fighting for secession and the creation of their own sovereign country, Biafra.
Our reporters who were at the scene of the February 9, 2016 IPOB protest at National High School, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria witnessed high display of violence and the exchange of firearms between Nigerian security agencies, including the army and IPOB members.Mostly affected in the bloody clash were youths who were subjected to torture by soldiers for refusing to quit IPOB. Eighteen persons died in the protest.Some of the people who spoke to Journalists said that the atrocities of Nigerian soldiers against IPOB members have called for a great concern. They recalled how people were killed, houses, shops and markets were destroyed by soldiers.They mentioned names of key IPOB members who led the protest to include: Ndu Chiemena, Sam Agbor, Francis Okolie, Calistus Nnaji and Rowland Igbo. They noted that these IPOB leaders have lost their businesses, houses and family members to the Nigerian soldiers deadly attacks.
Again, the aforementioned IPOB leaders have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Government.
Meanwhile, IPOB members have gradually lost their values in Nigeria as they are now seen and labelled as enemies of the country. Their safety in Nigeria have now become a serious issue, hence, they are traveling out of the country in search of safety and comfort.
However, a respected community leader from Southeastern Nigeria, Chief Timothy Igwebuike, in an interview advised IPOB members and leaders who were able to travel out of the shores of Nigeria to do everything possible not to return to the country as their safety is no more guaranteed. He appealed to other countries in the world to always accommodate IPOB members for they are hardworking and resourceful.
