The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has blamed the Nigerian Military for the death of the father of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu – His Royal Majesty, Eze Sir Israel Okwu Kanu.

A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said that Kanu’s father, who was until his death the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu, in Abia State, died as a result of health complications resulting from the trauma of the invasion of his palace by the Nigerian soldiers on September 14, 2017, and most recently, over the shock of the sudden death of his wife, Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu.

News Expressreports that Kanu’s mother, whose death in Germany was recently made public, is still awaiting burial.

The statement issued on Friday in Awka partly reads: “The global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to console the family our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the entire Kanu family and the community of Afaraukwu over the passingof their father, uncle, brother and traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Eze Sir Israel Okwu Kanu the Egwu Ukwu II of Afaraukwu who joined his ancestors as a result of health complications arising from the trauma of the invasion of his palace by Nigerian soldiers on September 14, 2017 and most recently over theshock of the sudden death of his wife Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu.

“We are left in no doubt the military attack on Isiama Afaraukwu and the Kanu family by the armed forces of the Federal Government of Nigeria is the principal cause of death of our leader’s parents.

“We confidently state, without fear of contradiction, that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have also sacrificed his parents in pursuit of freedom for the people of Biafra. There is no greater act of devotion to a noble cause than this.”

IPOB vowed that the death of Kanu’s parents will not weaken or diminish its resolve to restore Biafra saying that their death will rather infuse it with a greater sense of determination.

It insisted that it is only by accomplishing the liberation of Biafra that the group will truly mourn them.

The group called on God to grant the family, friends, lovers of freedom, Afaraukwu Eze-in-Council and entire community the fortitude to bear the great loss and vacuum the passing of His Majesty has created.