On Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said it would shut down every nook and cranny of the South-East geopolitical zone on October 1 (Independence Day), vowing the event would not be held in the region.
The group said events in the country as’spearheaded’ by its leadership in the past 63 years did not show South-East was part of Nigeria, stressing, “Anyone seen celebrating the Nigeria flag independence in Biafraland will regret his or her life.
It further called on the governors of the region and other political leaders to shun the exercise, saying no “Nigerian flag will be hoisted in the zone” on October 1.
The group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, said this in a statement on Friday.
The statement read, “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by the Supreme Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby call on Biafrans both home and in diaspora to shun participation in the Nigeria Independence Day Celebration on October 1, 2023.
“Every sensible Biafra citizen must understand that Nigeria detests Biafrans, particularly Ndigbo. Nigeria has rejected all our efforts to be treated as equal citizens. Nigeria has marginalized Biafrans politically and economically.
“Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations. The Nigerian government and Nigerian citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria.
“As Nigeria’s government plans to celebrate her flag independence from Britain, we advise eastern region governors and political leaders to shun the October 1st Independence celebration in our region.
“Moreso, we advise Biafrans not to attend any independence celebration anywhere within Biafra territory or outside of it. Hence, IPOB has banned the Independence Day celebration and flying of Nigerian flags in any part of Biafraland on October 1, 2023.
“After 63 years of flag independence for Nigeria from Britain, there is nothing to show for it. Ordinary electricity, security, or good roads, Nigeria can’t provide for her citizens.
“As little as conducting free and fair election has been impossible in the most fantastically corrupt nation in the world called Nigeria. Every institution in Nigeria has been polluted and corrupted by bribery and stealing.”
It further maintained the leaders of the country were paying lip-service towards protection of lives and property, adding, “Nigeria is a destiny destroyer for all nations inside it and every citizen therein.”
“Other smaller African nations can boast of providing a safe, secure, and productive country for their citizens, but Nigeria keeps going from bad to worse.”
But when contacted, the Ebonyi State Police Command said operatives of the police force will ensure round-the-clock security surveillance in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The spokesperson further said, “Residents should go about their lawful businesses without fear of threat or intimidation, and report any suspicious person or thing to the nearest police station.”
