The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and the candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA, in Anambra governorship poll, Mr Godwin Ezeemo have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately halt the Operation Python Dance in the South-East as it was causing unrest in the zone.
This is coming at a time when Abia governor, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu had declared curfew in the state, and the leader of IPOB revealing that hundreds of his men were still missing, and were suspected to have been abducted or killed by men of the Nigerian Army.
IPOB in a press release made available to DAILYPOST, signed by its publicity secretary, Mr Emma Powerful stated that anything short of halting the military operation immediately by President Buhari would bring more problems to Nigeria.
The group said, “We reiterate for record purposes that the ongoing state sponsored genocide in Abia and Rivers states by Nigerian Army must be halted. History is replete with occasional but consistent episodes of pogrom, genocide and mass killings of Biafrans and Christian communities, especially in Northern Nigeria.
“What is more troubling this time is that certain political office holders in the South-East are comfortable with the idea of inviting Army to come into Abia State to execute hundreds of young men and women in cold blood simply for asking for their right to self determination.
“We hold President Muhammadu Buhari, Brig-General Tukur Buratai and Gov. Okezie Ikepeazu majorly responsible for the cold blooded executions going on now in and around Abia State at this trying time. Humanity must as a duty, take cognizance of the raw incontrovertible evidence of these atrocities already in public domain. Buhari must halt this operation now.”
IPOB described what is being witnessed in Abia State as a full scale Islamic military invasion designed to murder as many people as possible with the blessing of a few Igbo leaders who are in effect mere errand boys for the Caliphate but occupying exalted political offices in Biafraland.
The group questioned why a military operation which was meant to start on Friday 15 of September 2017 had to begin earlier, almost five days before the commencement of the exercise.
It said, “This murderous pythonic dance and mayhem will last a full month, at which time it is hoped that the very unarmed peaceful non-violent IPOB would have been militarily subdued. The Nigerian government led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari with the supervision of Brig. General Tukur Buratai have stationed army and police check points, to effect killing.
It insisted that as a result of the trouble in Umuahia, Aba and parts of Rivers State, most members of the IPOB numbering over hundred were still missing, and that his group had not been able to establish contact with them.
“Hundreds of Biafran youths are still missing presumed dead at the time of this press statement.
“The few survivors of the Isiala Ngwa massacre taken to secret detention centres in army barracks in and around Abia and Rivers State are still unaccounted for,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Ezeemo has implored the Nigerian president to call off the Python Dance 11 military exercise saying it was uncalled for, as it was heightening the tension and suspicion already existing in the region.
Ezeemo who spoke to journalists in Awka said, “Civil disturbances are meant to be handled by the police, especially such that do not involve firearms.”
He condemned in strong terms the treatment soldiers were allegedly meting out to civilians in the southeast, while also advising the IPOB members to apply caution in their activities.
“There are other more civilized ways of checking the activities of people that are believed to be causing unrest in the society; they can be arrested and detained but not killing them or torturing them and making them to drink polluted water as is seen in a video currently trending on the internet. Whatever disease they contract through that treatment would spread to the rest of the people.
“Humans are humans regardless of who they are; someone gave birth to them and is looking up to them as their social security; to look after them in their old age. It is quite appalling that our leadership is faulty; it is irresponsible and nobody enforces social justice leading to people’s rights being abused everyday. Greed and impatience has corrupted the people and the system is rotten and her people suffering,” Ezeemo said.
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