A cross section of Nigerians has faulted the alleged plans by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to begin the arrest and prosecution of criminal suspects in Igbo land.

IPOB, in a well publicised press statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, last Tuesday, September 6, 2022, had said the initiative was meant “to prepare decent and responsive citizenry in preparation for the birth of a New Nation of Biafra where law and order will be a norm.

“The new Nation of Biafra will soon emerge and nobody borne of a woman can change or stop its coming. We are alerting everybody in Biafra Land that IPOB will soon come and commence arrest of defaulters and criminals and will detain and prosecute bad elements, especially those criminals terrorising, kidnapping for ransom and those snatching our people’s cars and those selling our lands to Fulani Nigeria Federal Government for RUGA.

“Very soon IPOB leadership will announce this new initiative and other terms and conditions that will follow. We warn anyone behind the criminalities going on in the Eastern Region to stay off.”

In his reaction, Hon. Charles Anike, the National President of Eastern Union (EU), a socio-political pressure group of the people of the Old Eastern Region, stated that the source of the statement needed to be seriously investigated.

He said: “I don’t seem to believe it. Yes, because, I think there is no basis for such. The statement is baseless, mischievous, ultra vires and of no effect. Rather, it is a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the group.”

The concerned observers, who expressed fears that the policy, if implemented by the self-determination group, would create confusion in the South East and lead to a breakdown of law and order, as well as leading to more troubles the its men as well as its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who had been under incarceration.

“IPOB to start to try criminals as what? And in which courts? Most times, I also think that many statements credited to IPOB are actually not from them. I also think that the Public Relations Department of the group is not doing enough.

“Often times, one expected the Information Department of IPOB to be up and doing in responding to many issues. But, they seem to accept everything, whether good or bad.

“This is why many well-meaning citizens tend to see most of their activities and statements as irresponsible. You cannot allow hoodlums to hijack your efforts and good intentions and allow them to misrepresent your struggles.”

“On the issue of arresting and prosecuting criminals in Igboland, I am just wondering how they want to go about that. Are they going to set up IPOB courts? Or which courts will they use? They are only trying to confirm to the world that the Federal Government was right to have declared them a terrorist group.

“Such act, if truly the statement was from them, will only lead to bloody clashes and waste of human lives. The thought of such alone is crazy and we advise that the leadership of the group should have a rethink on that so as not cause more tension and inflict more pains on the people they want to secure freedom for. There is an urgent need for the group to get reorganised and also restrategise.”

Comrade Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, former State Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC) and a member of the party’s National Working Committee, in his reaction asked: “What are the modalities?”

He stated that the IPOB needed to be more explanatory and less declarative, adding, “There is a need for more education to the populace. However, every person has a right to self-security, especially in this war-torn country. That’s not negotiable. It just must be democratic.”

Barrister Emeka Iheonu, a Lagos-based lawyer and member of the African Bar Association (ABA), said: “I do not support this. Biafra is not yet independent. IPOB should not take over the duty of regular Nigerian courts or the Nigerian security agencies.

“As long as IPOB is still in Nigeria, it should not operate outside the provisions of the extant Nigerian Constitution.”

Hon. Dennis Adikwuru, a communication expert and a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, in his response, said: “IPOB has no legal status to assume adjudication duties.

“Legally speaking, the Federal Government declared the body a terrorist organisation and till date, this proscription subsists.

“Looking at it from a legal angle, IPOB cannot derive any constitutional backing to sit in the trial room against anybody in the South East.

“Such action will lead the Federal Government to wield the big stick against IPOB. This contemplation is better called off.

“My advice to IPOB is to conduct their operations in such a civil and responsible manner as to attract the confidence of the people and get off the proscription list.

“As a check of the possible breakdown of law and order, the governments of the South East states should take proactive measures to avert the parallel authority, which will arise from the IPOB threat.”

Ambassador Dr. Kalu Ofon Emmanuel, the Lagos State Chapter President, International Human Rights Protection Service, Florida, USA, on his own, maintained that for IPOB to commence such could lead to more problems, much more than what had existed in lgbo land between and federal and state authorities.

According to him, “It, therefore, means having their own police and courts. Insecurity in lgboland, kidnapping, killings, human rituals, human trafficking, robbing and incessant crimes are on the increase which, l think, gave rise to such decisions.

“Definitely, it will lead to more extra-judicial killings. The IPOB should realise that the Federal Government is not happy with them and if they go extra miles to implement such plans, it could lead to the shading of more innocent blood of the citizenry.

“My candid and humble advice is for them to thread with caution to avoid further problems that could truncate peace and tranquility in lgbo land in such a time as this.”

Dr. Andrews Okhirebhu, a cleric and public affairs commentator, said: “The issue bothers on how possible it will be for the IPOB to carry out their intended action to try criminals within their domain.

“My question is: What is it that is impossible in Nigeria in all the recent happenings, be it good, bad and ugly across the nation resulting in the ‘unknown this’, and ‘unknown that’?

“So, what they intend to do should not be a surprise to some of us judging by the lackadaisical or spiritless attitude of the government. Criminality runs parallel with supposedly legitimate governments across the entire country at the expense of the innocents and vulnerable.

“I make bold to tell you that most of the crimes are state sponsored and politically organised. Sometimes, I wonder if the governments are fooled to believe the people still trust them for anything.

“Sincerely, there are parallel governmental activities criminally being carried out already in parts of Nigeria sovereign state. What will make the difference if IPOB comes up with a proposal?”

Comrade Aluh Moses Odeh, a political activist and National Leader, All Middle Belt Youth Forum (AMBYF), in his response, asked: “Under what capacity is this possible for IPOB to arrest and prosecute criminals? Is it as a state of its own or what?

“I think what is important is to make East a crime free region, not walking the path that spells doom. Even if they succeeded in getting the Biafra State, are they all sure they will be made state actors in their New State?”

Emma Powerful, the IPOB Spokesman, in the controversial statement, had also stated: “Even those in diaspora, if you commit, we will arrest”, even as he warned that the order should not be played with.

The statement added: “Let it be known to all persons resident in Biafra land (Biafrans and non-Biafrans) that this information is for you.

“Even if you’re a Zoo Security Officer, if you commit any crime in our land, we will arrest and prosecute you in line with the IPOB judicial system.

“Therefore, be mindful of your actions because nothing will stop us from arresting you if you commit any crime.”

Sit-At-Home Order For Tuesday

Meanwhile, the group, on Saturday, announced Tuesday, September 13, as another sit-at-home day in the South-East.

The group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the day was declared as sit-at-home in solidarity with its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is billed to appear in court that day.

The statement added that the day was also set aside to protest the invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari to Imo State same day.

“Declaring Tuesday as a day for civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafra is very important for two reasons: first, our leader’s Appeal Court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11, has been brought forward to September 13, 2022,” part of the statement read.

It added: “As usual, we call on Biafrans and lovers of freedom to demonstrate our solidarity with our leader, who is bearing our yoke in detention for over a year now.

“IPOB never issued a new directive to Biafrans, but is simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafra Land any day the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra will appear in court at Abuja”.

It also said that the governor of Imo State invited President Buhari that same day. So, IPOB sees the day as a day of protest in the state.

The statement continued: “There shall be a total lock down of the whole of Biafraland on Tuesday September 13, 2022. The Imposter Buhari cannot be coming to Imo State while he continues to detain our leader Mazi Nnamdi in the DSS custody.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally because he committed no crime known to law.”

The group warned various groups which may want to welcome the president to be ready for a confrontation.

It added: “It is expected that all markets, schools, banks, businesses and companies, including police stations in Biafra Land should be under lock and key next week Tuesday, September 13, 2022 in solidarity with our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

President Buhari would on Tuesday, September 13 pay a one day official visit to Imo State to commission three signature projects executed by the Governor Hope Uzodimma administration.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, who disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, listed the projects as the dualised 35k/m Owerri/ Orlu road, the Phase 1 of the 48k/m Owerri/Okigwe road and the ultra-modern State House of Assembly Rebuilt complex. (Daily Independent)

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