The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on world attention to the alleged incessant arrest, kidnap and house-to-house search going on in Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and recently in Anambra.

The group hinted that ‘Biafraland’ is once again under unprovoked military siege, adding that suspected ardent supporters of IPOB are being abducted by security agencies and locked up/

A statement made available to journalists in Awka by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, reads in part: “These recent kidnappings and abductions are happening under the noses of the governors of these states which leave the ugly impression that they orchestrated it.

“Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, David Umahi of Ebonyi, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu states and Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Nnia Nwodo have for the past three years persisted in using the Nigerian Army and DSS to persecute IPOB members fighting for our freedom.

“It appears they are not satisfied with the damage they have caused so far and appear intent on provoking IPOB to carry out reprisal attacks against their families.”

IPOB stressed that effort to put fear and frustrate the people’s decision to boycott the forthcoming elections will never work because “as always IPOB is the people and the people is IPOB.”

The group insisted that its decision is irreversible unless the demands reeled out by it are met.

The statement adds: “Those who are foolish enough to ignore our warning will wake up on the morning of February 17 to realise that underestimating IPOB yet again has cost them dearly.

“We cannot alter or change our position on the decision given by IPOB leadership towards boycotting this forthcoming presidential election in the whole of Biafraland next month.

“It is a thing of shame to the Nigerian government and South East governors that Boko Haram is busy killing people and occupying towns and villages in the north while the Nigerian military is busy chasing rabbit in Biafraland in the name of Operation Python Dance 3.”

IPOB said that the most recent operation Python Dance is a plot to kidnap and kill IPOB principal officers who have in no way been a threat to the Nigerian military.

It explained that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, made it clear in his recent broadcast that IPOB has no intention of engaging Nigerian government in any war and maintained that IPOB members are non-violent people who are going about their normal peaceful approach to restoring Biafra in line with self-determination as stated in UN Charter.

Continuing, the statement says: “The question every sane mind would ask is why should the Nigerian military lay siege in the houses of peaceful IPOB principal officers instead of going to the North to fight Boko Haram and reclaim the cities and villages that have been taken over recently by the terror group?

“What useful purpose will abducting civilians in their homes serve if not to heighten the level of resentment we Biafrans feel towards Nigeria.

“Military everywhere in the world are trained to fight wars, protect borders and communities. It is only in Nigeria that her military flees from fighting terrorist in one part of the country and run to another part of the country to kidnap, abduct, torture, kill peaceful people and rape their women.”

IPOB maintained that the recent happenings in the country confirm to the world that Nigeria is an Islamic state that cherishes terrorism and kills peaceful people after they have been molested, marginalised and slaughtered.

It described Judeo-Christian Biafrans as peaceful people that have nothing in common with Islamic Nigeria and should be left alone.

According to the statement, “All we are asking for is a referendum to decide our future in a peaceful democratic manner. Nigerian military should leave peaceful IPOB alone and take their Operation Python Dance to the North-East where terrorism is rife.

“Till date, Justice Ude, Emmanuel Chigbo, Uche Emenike and other IPOB family members adducted by the Nigerian military in the name of Operation Python Dance 3 are yet to be released.

“What type of democracy allows for the abduction of people and refuse to arraign them in a court of law?”

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