•If we should command for a state to be burnt down, that would happen instantly – Obiora Nwude, Deputy Coordinator
By Eluwa Chidiebere Chinazu | Reporting for Biafra Writers
ABA— Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Gasline Zone, Aba on Saturday 19, 2019, registered their anger over the recent spate of arrests of their members in certain states in Biafraland.
It was a harvest of emotions and a unique experience for our correspondent as many placards were displayed with their emotions inscribed on them respectively.
Among the inscriptions written boldly in protest to the arrest of some members were; “Release Justice Ude;” “Release Uchenna Emenike,” “Stop the kidnap of Biafrans by the Nigerian military,” “Election boycott is real” and a host of others.
The peaceful agitation organized by the zone has become more important especially since that the Nigerian Army’s intensified the extrajudicial abduction and killing of hard core Biafra agitators.
Swiftly after the demonstration, the Coordinator, Ugochukwu Asochukwu and his deputy, Obiora Nwude were interviewed.
Sir, how do you see the agitation from your zonal members today?
It was good and l congratulate and also applaud them for being resolute. I happen to be a coordinator blessed with members who are hardcore. Gasline zone is a zone in Aba that has all the indigenes of Biafra land complete in it and we have never been found lagging behind in this struggle.
What hurdles have your zone encountered in this struggle of redemption?
IPOB Gasline zone started the struggle from inception. We participated in every protest organized by our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Some of our members are beign held hostage by the Nigerian military and we are not happy about that. I was kidnapped alongside the Biafra land coordinator, Mazi Ikechukwu Ugwuoha by the DSS. Our member, Ifeanyi Azubuike popularly known as Awara Junior, was shot dead by the Nigerian military during our Heroes Day celebration. But still we remain resolute.
Do you sometimes contemplate quitting the struggle after all you went through in the hands of the DSS?
In fact, I would love all IPOB members to go to prison...(interrupted).
What? You would love all IPOB members to go to prison?
Yes, let me tell you, you see in this struggle, prison makes someone stronger. You cannot compare the spirit of one who has been to prison to that of a person who has not. Those who have been to prison never abandon the struggle. Even when I was in the DSS dungeon for five months and a week, I told them that they are giving me more training and whenever I come out, I will become more hardened than before. Since l came out, I have been working assiduously to make sure that Biafra comes.
For the deputy coordinator, he has this to say when asked about the atrocities perpetrated by the Nigerian military against innocent Biafra activists.
“Honestly, the Nigerian military has been a very bad military apparatus. They have been killing us, they kill the underage, adults and also old people. Sincerely, they have treated us in a way that we never believed they will. The silence of the international community is what is fuelling them to kill more. They have already pushed us to the wall but because of our supreme leader’s command, we are not retaliating. As l am talking to you now, if we should command for a state to be burnt down, that would happen instantly. What l am saying is that they are pushing us to the wall and rightly, it is time to challenge.”
Sir, I learnt that you were one of the MASSOB members. Why did you leave MASSOB to join IPOB?
I was one of the MASSOB members. When I survived the Okigwe massacre that was when I knew that I will be among those that shall restore Biafra. Even when Uwazuruike was doing all sorts of evil with the name of Biafra, we were calm because we love our nation. I don’t care who heads any group fighting for the liberation of our people but you must prove to us that you are worthy to be the Biafran leader. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has proven that beyond expectation. Nobody directed me to join Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because just like me, he was one of the MASSOB members then. When we found out that the real mantle of leadership has been divinely vested upon him, we followed him.
What advice do you have for the Biafrans all over the world?
I want to let all Biafrans to know that if you are not in IPOB, you are an indigenous person of Biafra. But everybody has to belong. There is no need of telling lies, everybody knows where he or she comes from. Biafra existed for years before the colonization. And whether you believe it or not, whether you accept it or not, we have accepted everything for you- we are IPOB. It is a must that we must go, it is a must.
IPOB Gasline Zone Aba, is one of the pivotal zones in Aba. IPOB has maintained its no election call despite pressures from the government of Nigeria who are busy kidnapping the members. IPOB has made it clear that until they meet the demands of IPOB, they won’t participate in Nigeria elections. The presidential election is coming up on 16th of February, 2019 and it is clear to all that the percentage of boycotts is going to be enormous.
The Biafra Times
Edited By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
Published by Prince Richmond C. Amadi
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