The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has explained that the sit-at-home order for September 14, is to honour victims of the military raid in Afaraukwu, the home town of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
On that date in 2017, military operatives invaded Afaraukwu in Abia State, in a bid to arrest Kanu.
During the raid, about 28 people were reportedly killed by soldiers.
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, has now insisted the Tuesday sit-at-home is sacrosanct across the Southeast.
According to Powerful: “We the global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to remind all Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of Biafra freedom across the globe that the sit-at-home order issued by the IPOB leadership to be observed tomorrow, Tuesday, September 14, 2021, is sacrosanct.
“The peaceful protest is for the remembrance of the victims of the genocidal invasion of our Leader’s compound at Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia on September 14 2017. No fewer than 28 innocent Biafrans were killed that day by the Nigeria Army during the raid.
“We advise all Biafrans, both men and women, to stay indoors tomorrow as a mark of honour to these fallen heroes and heroines. We must not fail to remember the supreme sacrifices of these great freedom seekers. Nothing done to honour them should be considered too much for they have watered the tree of Biafra freedom with their blood.
“Our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has also made a lot of sacrifices for the restoration of Biafra. So, all of us must be prepared to play our roles to accomplish this great task. Biafra independence is a mandate that we must live to accomplish.”
Powerful maintained that the alleged killings of Biafra agitators would not deter IPOB from its agitation for secession.
“We won’t be deterred by the killings of Biafra agitators by Nigeria compromised security agencies who cannot confront Fulani bandits and herdsmen rampaging the country. They derive pleasure in killing and torturing innocent people agitating for their freedom while fleeing from real terrorists,” he said.