IPOB calls on US, UK, EU to intervene in Biafra agitation

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has hit out at governors in the country’s southeast accusing them of being puppets of people belonging to the north.

IPOB spokesman in a statement issued on Monday said the group denies all claims of violence as advanced by the army and the government.

Whiles challenging the authorities to point to a case of lawlessness by the group, Emma Powerful, also called for international intervention in the attacks on pro-Biafra activists.

“IPOB has never been involved in any retaliatory attacks or killing of any human being because we believe, along with our ancient values, that life is a rare gift from God, which is not in the place of man to take.

“IPOB is therefore calling on all conscientious and civilized men and women, lovers of freedom, the international community especially USA, EU, Britain, Russia and France, to intervene to stop this horrendous ethnic cleansing going on in Abia State, for the sake of humanity,” the statement read in part.

He added that IPOB under its missing leader Nnamdi Kanu had been labeled as a terrorist organization only by the Nigerian government. The United States said it did not consider IPOB as a militant, terrorist organization contrary to an Abuja High court order to that effect.

The United Kingdom over the weekend also said it has not proscribed the group and that it had sought information on IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who holds British citizenship.

The 50-year-old has been missing since mid-September when soldiers clashed with members of his group at his family home in the Nigerian city of Umuahia in Abia State.

The earlier push for a separate republic of Biafra was championed by Chief Ojukwu nearly 50 years ago. The declaration of independence sparked a civil war which left more than a million people dead. President Buhari has previously said the unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable.