Stop repatriating our members, they face executionin in Nigeria, IPOB alerts Israel, other world govts
By Steve Oko
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has alerted the world governments of the danger faced by Biafra agitators and their families in Nigeria since the reappearance of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in the state of Israel on October 2018.
IPOB, therefore, appealed to Israel and other world governments to prevail on Nigeria Government to stop killing its members as well as other Biafra agitators who visit home.
IPOB said some of its members who visited home during Christmas from different countries were trailed and eliminated by security operatives.
“Biafrans abroad are humiliated and hunted down in their respective families and communities especially since Nnamdi Kanu IPOB leader snapped pictures with Israeli National Coordinator and other members. Their families are under serious attack by security operatives”, IPOB said in a statement.
IPOB further said the appeal had become necessary following reports that some of its members seeking refuge in some foreign countries face threat of repatriation due to immigration bureaucracy.
Advocating a waiver for Biafra asylum seekers, IPOB argued that the same agitators face execution back home because of their involvement in the struggle for Biafra freedom.
According to IPOB the lives of its members are in danger of summary execution by security operatives in Nigeria.
IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claimed that two of its members who recently arrived from the state of Israel were killed by security operatives and dumped in a boro pit in Aba, Abia State.
IPOB, therefore, pleaded with Governments of the world especially the Israeli Government and other Western countries to “give any support necessary to save the lives of IPOB members” who eventually visits Nigeria.
The statement read in part :”Recall that those who were coming back from other parts of the world including Israel have faced serious persecutions here in Nigeria, particularly those who snapped pictures with IPOB leader.
“Just last week two young men who came back from Israel were killed and dumped in a boro pit along the road in Aba “.
IPOB said it had been informed that even its Coordinator in Israel, Mr. Ibezim Obiorah Augustine’s family is also facing threat from security operatives.
The pro -Biafra group appealed to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene and save the lives of Augustine and family including other IPOB members in Israel.
IPOB also claimed two of its members were allegedly killed by soldiers at Asa Nnentu market Aba, during a campaign rally of one of the governorship candidates, an allegation the army had since denied.
Recall that the Nigerian Government had in 2017 proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization.
This was shortly before the invasion of the home of its Leader, Nnamdi kanu.
Ever since then, IPOB members have gone underground in Nigeria except ocassionaly as anyone arrested with IPOB insignia is treated as a terrorist by the Nigerian authorities.
IPOB has also vowed to sustain its agitation for Biafra independence despite stiff resistance by security agencies , adding that no amount of intimidation or provocation will make it reconsider its non violent approach.
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