The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has in a statement told the Nigerian government that it remains open to peaceful dialogue, negotiations and a United Nations (UN) supervised referendum on the realisation of Biafra Nation and peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria.
The statement which was issued by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, stressed that IPOB’s agitation for Biafra Nation independence started in 2012, adding that IPOB had never been associated with violence or criminality in all its years of rallies and protests.
IPOB emphasized that the Nigerian government through her security forces had however levied war against the secessionist group.
“IPOB members have been brutally attacked while on peaceful protest by the Nigerian 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 Nigerian security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria,” Powerful alleged.
IPOB spokesperson maintained that, Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and businesses burnt by the Nigerian security forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1billion as a result of the extreme use of force from 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.
“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.
“IPOB is ready to meet with the Nigerian government any day they are ready for negotiations on the Biafra referendum. IPOB supports peaceful separation from the contraption formed by foreigners called Nigeria. We believe Biafra can be achieved without war and the shedding of innocent blood of Biafrans or Nigerians.
“IPOB is ready for dialogue on the 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 Nigerian government schedules a referendum date for Biafrans to decide their fate, the better for everyone.”
|Sahara Reporters
