From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged indiscriminate arrest of its members and innocent Igbo sons by Nigeria security agents at Lagos and Abuja airports.
Its spokesperson, Emma powerful, in a statement, alleged Igbo passengers were also embarrassed and subjected to a humiliating search at the airport and arrested if found with any Biafra insignia.
“Nigeria security agents at the airport have taken it as a duty to humiliate Biafrans who are departing or arriving at these international airports because of the agitation for Biafra referendum project.
“Any Biafran passenger, who is unfortunate to have a Biafra-related content in his or her phone even without Biafra contents in his or her phone, will be arrested and incarcerated by the security personnel at the airport.
“Every Biafran is an IPOB, but not all are family members. IPOB agitation for the independent state of Biafra is legal and supported by international and Nigeria laws. Arresting Biafran passengers whether they are for or against Biafra is not only wicked but unlawful too.
“Those illegally arrested at these airports were not allowed to speak to their families and lawyers. They were also detained incommunicado in different security detentions facilities across Lagos and Abuja,” Powerful said.
He, however, warned that if the indiscriminate harassment continues, IPOB will have no other options than to ask the people being harassed to resist it.
“It’s quite appalling that out of many passengers at the airport only Biafrans, especially the Igbo are profiled and made to undergo indiscriminate and unlawful searching like common criminals because of Biafra agitation.
“But one thing is certain, these humiliations and intimidation cannot stop Igbo in conjunction with other Biafrans from pursuing the divine mandate to restore Biafra freedom. The earlier the government understand that their unjust arrest, torture and killing of Biafrans will not stop the coming of Biafra the better for all of us.”
IPOB, therefore, called on international communities, especially UK government, US government, EU, AU, German government and other western countries to prevail on Nigeria government to stop the arrest, insisting that Ndigbo have made up their minds to exit Nigeria.