Biafra: IPOB shuts down Nnewi for solidarity protest for the release of leader of IPOB

Thousands of members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), yesterday, shut down Nnewi, Anambra State in a solidarity protest for the release of Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since November.

Members of IPOB mobilised from Onitsha, Asaba, Awka, Ekwulobia, Awka-Etiti, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia States and converged on Nnewi for the protest.

One of the commanders, Emeka Onwane said the protest was a warning signal to the Federal Government to make sure that Kanu, who is scheduled to appear in court today, is released without further delay.

Onwane vowed there would be no market today in the South East to further press home the demand for Kalu’s release.

“IPOB is looking up to the international community, including the United States, Russia, France and every other country, excluding Britain which is the enemy of Biafra. We are not talking about Igbo Presidency; we are talking about an independent nation of Biafra. So, we are looking up to world leaders to help us actualise Biafra,” he said.

The protesters moved from St Mary Junction to Nkwo Nnewi market, down to the expressway leading to Nnewi Area Command, through Odumegwu Ojukwu’s residence to Owerri Road, Nkwo Nnewi Triangle and later headed for Awka-Etiti through Nnobi.

In a related development, Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC) and IPOB have described Ohanaeze Ndigbo as saboteurs who are only interested in enriching themselves to the detriment of the Igbo people.

Answering questions from newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, IMC Director General, Rev. Obinna Akukwe said: “Left to the federal government, the abandoned infrastructural decay in the South-East would have been worked upon but our problem is that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which claims to represent us, will on presenting our problems to the Federal Government, demand for money and keep their mouth shut after collecting the money.”

Also reacting, IPOB spokesman in Abia StateEmma Powerful said: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo are saboteurs.”