MASSOB/IPOB Condemn Onitsha killing; say battle for Biafra not over

There were wild jubilations across the Southeast states following the release of leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu from detention. Abuja High Court had on Wednesday ordered the Department of State Security (DSS) to release, Kanu, who is also the director of Radio Biafra, London.
Reacting to this development, the leader of Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Comrade Uchenna Madu yesterday, said that the release of Kanu by the court in Abuja was a triumph of justice for the agitators of Biafra.
In statement, Madu condemned the shooting and killing of jubilating members of IPOB and MASSOB and called for investigation into the matter.
He described Kanu as a hero who has written his name in gold as a genuine Biafra agitator, saying that those opposed to his release would cover their faces in shame.
He stated that MASSOB consistency and uncompromised spirit under his leadership has been vindicated, adding that MASSOB will con¬tinue with IPOB for genuine and committed Bi¬afran non-violent struggle.
According him, “we salute our comrades in IPOB at home and the diaspora for their un¬relenting and courageous efforts and spirit of oneness in pursuing the visions and mission of IPOB. Kanu has become the hero of genuine Biafra agitation, those who earlier opposed him will cover their faces in shame”.
He hailed the commitment, eloquent and dedicated Igbo leaders who fearlessly assisted in the release of Kanu.
“Kanu shall be received in Biafraland as the greatest hero”, he stated.
In an exclusive telephone interview with Saturday Sun, Madu said that the recent protests and demonstrations across the country by pro Biafra groups would cease as it has served its immedi¬ate purpose of securing the release of the IPOB leader.
He said that if such a situation arises again the groups would call out their people to embark on similar protests.
He said: “Release of Nnamdi Kanu is a significant victory for the struggle for actualisation of Biafra.
“It is another chapter in the struggle and one that has brought to fore the determination and commitment of pro Biafra groups to achieve their goal.
“The release of the Director of Radio Biafra was as a result of external pressures by the in¬ternational community that has shown interest in the struggle.
“We are happy with the release, but the strug¬gle continues. People have been going to prison and coming out but, Kanu’s detention was sig¬nificant because it provided the opportunity for the progressive and genuine groups to come to¬gether.”
The MASSOB leader said the groups are now further united and put heads together to legiti¬mize the struggle the more and demand for the conduct of a referendum.
Also speaking the MASSOB Director of In¬formation, Samuel Edeson concurred that the release of Kanu will not send the groups to sleep insisting that the struggle continues.
“This is victory number one; the next step is to get our acts together and request the Federal Government to conduct a referendum on Biafra.”
In the same vein, the acting Coordinator of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ebonyi State, Pastor Chukwu Melchizedek, described Kanu’s freedom as good omen to the struggle for the actualisation of Biafra.
Pastor Chukwu stressed that with the new twist in the struggle for sovereignty of Biafra, there is likelihood that a new country will be born sooner than expected, adding that the release of Kanu does not mean anything as the group was even ready to continue with the struggle even with their leader still being held in prison.
“It is a good omen for the struggle; we are very happy now and more determined than ever to forge ahead with the struggle for the new state of Biafra. We shall not be intimidated anymore and it is a new dawn in the history of the struggle and that is why we men of God in this struggle have continued to pray fervently for God’s inter¬vention in the struggle for our self- determination and freedom.
“The release of Kanu will not stop us from the agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra where we will be free, rather it will spur us the more to strive harder to make sure that international com¬munities hear our cry for freedom in a country where citizenship is being foisted on the people that said they do not want to be. The release of our director will quell some certain issues and doused tension in some areas but definitely, it is not going to end the struggle”.
He also condemned the several killings of their members by Nigeria security agents espe¬cially the latest alleged killing of five of their members in Onitsha by soldiers, adding that their struggle has been anchored on non- violence and wondered why any man should shoot unarmed person.
In Owerri, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State, Ambassador Azunna Akpelu, said that the people are happy for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention because it is long over due.
His said, his position as the Imo State presi¬dent of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, is that Kanu’s release from detention is long over due because he did not commit any crime and his continued detention would have caused more harm to Nigeria than good because no Igbo man is happy with his detention and we expected the Federal Government to treat the issues of Igbo marginalisation by righting the wrongs.
Akpelu however said that Kalu’s release will not quell the agitation for Biafra because it is rooted in addressing the maltreatment of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
Also, Comrade Ignatius Okpa, Orlu Zonal leader of IPOB said that his unconditional release is a welcome development, and insisted that the issues that brought about the renewed agitation for the state of Biafra have to be addressed.
Similarly, Comrade Pascal Egoigbo, National Coordinator of Njem Igbo Movement, a Pro- Biafra group, said that Kanu ought not to have been detained in the first instance because he has not committed any crime to warrant his deten¬tion.
According to him, “You don’t just charge an opinion leader with terrorism when you cannot even point out one single person he killed or maimed, rather it the leadership of police and the army that should be charged for terrorism after killing scores of innocent protesters who are un¬armed at Onitsha.
“So, while we welcome his unconditional re¬lease, we can now talk about negotiated settle¬ment with Biafrans, if the Federal Government is willing to do that, because our agitation for an independent Biafra has come to stay”.
In the same direction, the Chairman, Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) Mr. Augustine Chukwudum commended the release of Kanu and called on the Federal Government to start dialogue imme¬diately with true Igbo leaders like Kanu (IPOB), Uchenna Madu (MASSOB), Dr. Joe Nworgu (Ohaneze), Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Austine Chukwudum (NUF).
He sated that this time, President Buhari should hold roundtable meeting with Igbo lead¬ers because Ndigbo, he said have suffered for the past 45 years where and have been treated like second class citizens in the country they sup¬posed to have equal right.
Meanwhile, the celebration of the release of Kanu, who is also director of Radio Biafra turned bloody on Thursday in Onitsha, Anambra State.
About five persons suspected to be Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were allegedly shot dead while 25 persons were seriously injured when the group clashed with the security men at the Bridge Head at Onitsha.
It was gathered that the IPOB members who were celebrating and jubilating over the release of their leader, Kanu at the Bridge Head in Onit¬sha clashed with the security operatives resulting to death of five persons.
The incident caused tension and panic among motorists and commuters along the busy Niger Bridge area, Enugu/Onitsha Expressway over fear of possible blockage of the Bridge Head by the aggrieved IPOB members.