IPOB made the call in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, alleging that some of the detained members and supporters of the group are missing from detention.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all its members and supporters held in detention by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army across the country.
IPOB made the call in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, alleging that some of the detained members and supporters of the group are missing from detention.
It also noted that the security agents who arrested them can no longer account for their whereabouts.
IPOB listed 24 of its members and supporters who are allegedly being held in detention facilities by Nigerian security agents. It said the detained persons are not allowed to see their family members and lawyers.
The statement read, “The global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the indefatigable Liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu again raise the alarm over the forceful abduction and disappearance of numerous citizens of Biafra by Nigeria Security Agents. Persons like Ikechukwu Henry, Emeka Ngonadi, Ogbonna Christian Ndubuisi, Mazi Chuks Obasi, Nwada Idara Gold, Mazi Onyebuchi Ezeanochie and many others. So many of these people abducted since 2020 and 2021 are nowhere to be seen.
“They are Ikechukwu Henry, Joy Godwin Udoh aka (Idara Gold), Emeka Ngonadi, Barr. Pius I. Awoke, Chinedu Nwoba, Igwe Johnson Dike, Ogbonna Joseph Ajah, Kingsley Onovu 9. Ogbonna David, Kenneth Ojima, Fortune Okezie, Joseph Okafor Eze, Emmanuel Onyibe Chinonso, Uket Godwin, Ogbonna Christian Ndubisi 16. Eze Ernest Chukwuemeka, Ibeleme Tochukwu, Emmanuel Ike, Rev Cletus Egole, Pst Philip Chinedu Egole, Chinonso Anyanwu, Kelechi Okeke, Godspower Chilemu, Chukwuma Nwokike, just to mention but a few.
“Just as the Legal Representatives of IPOB posited in their recent press interviews on October 17, 2022, the lawyers raised the alarm over the abduction, illegal detention, and lack of access to over 200 Biafrans by Nigeria security agencies. Many of these abductees are missing from various detention facilities where they were dumped.
“IPOB has constantly alerted the world over the forceful disappearance of innocent citizens of Biafran both IPOB members and non-IPOB members for being a Biafra struggle sympathiser or a lover of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that is enough to make the overzealous Nigeria terrorist police and military to kidnap and illegally detain a person incommunicado.
“Biafran youths have become endangered species that are being hunted down, illegally detained and/or extrajudicially executed at will by Nigerian security agents.
“We are calling on the International Community, men and women of good conscience to prevail upon the Nigeria Government and her security operatives to release numerous innocent Biafran citizens in their detention facilities unconditionally or charge them to court.”
IPOB said it is “aware that some of the Biafran detainees have been arraigned in court but are yet to be released”.
It continued, “For example, Mazi Chuks Obasi's case was taken to court a few months ago and justice was secured in his absence from the court because the court ordered his unconditional release but the lawless Nigerian Government and its security agents refused to release him and nobody has seen him since.
“In a similar way, Miss Idara Gold was arraigned in court for the first time after over one year of illegal detention yesterday, October 19, 2022, after much pressure from IPOB, family, and associates including lawyers. Let's recall that this Lady has not had access to her family and lawyers for almost one year after her abduction.
“We expected that Justice Binta Nyako would have discharged her but unfortunately Binta Nyako in her court reminded Idara Gold to the Suleja prison without considering all the inhumane treatment she has been subjected to in the military detention facilities.
“We the worldwide family of IPOB join the clarion call of IPOB legal representatives in calling on Nigeria's compromised security officers to release her without delay and all other illegally detained Biafrans abducted, and to stop future illegal abductions of our people.
“We want this Government and her security agencies to understand that no amount of abductions, illegal detentions, and killings can stop our resolve in Biafra Restoration. The earlier they understand this fact, and fix a date for a referendum for Biafrans to determine our fate, the better for all of us.”