Breaking News: South-East/South-South, other states shut down, as 50 countries observe sit at home across the world ----as IPOB Leader visits Anambra, hails Biafrans

South-East/South-South, other states shut down, as 50 countries observe sit at home across the world  ----as IPOB Leader visits Anambra, hails Biafrans

---- MASSOB says referendum a walkover

----Ohanaeze holds Osibanjo responsible for any death

------Bishop Ikeakor not in support of sit at home

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Editor, South-East, Steve Oko, Umuahia, Isaac Ojo Nnewi, Angela Nkwo-Akpolu and Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri , Chidi Asonye, Aba

THERE was total compliance of the sit-at-home  order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across South-East and South-South zones of the country with major cities across some states having partial or complete compliance.

Major markets and banks as well as malls were shut with vehicular movement at the lowest ebb even as there is tension that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state may proceed with the sack of over 10,000 workers for defying government directive to be at their work place yesterday.

As well all over the world over 50 countries saw members of IPOB protesting and participating in the sit at home order by Nnamdi Kanu who sneaked into Anambra state barely 12 hours to the sit at home to observe his last respect for the fallen members at Nkpor.

Those who defied the order in parts of Anambra were stranded as there were no vehicles to convey them to anywhere , while some civil servants who came out of fear met ghost premises and had to hurry back home even though names were hurriedly written to enable those who did not come receive punishment.

But for Nkwo Enugwu Ukwu that had some business like atmosphere, every other market from Eke Awka to Main Market Onitsha among others were shut as well as banks and other institutions. 

Kanu Visits Anambra to pay last respect to victims of 2016 massacre

The supreme leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu  visited Nkpor in Anambra State Monday night during which he prayed and wept for those pro Biafra protesters who were massacred during Biafra Day activities last year.

Kanu was said to have defied tight security mounted by a combined team of Military men, Police and Civil Defence Corps to visit Anambra and perform what could be described as "last respect" to the victim of Biafra Day last year.

According to the IPOB director of Media and Publicity Emma Powerful in a Statement obtained by Authority in Onitsha, The IPOB visited St Edmunds Catholic Church/Primary School in Nkpor, Anambra state, the very ground where hundreds of Biafrans were gruesomely murdered by security operatives on the 30th of May 2016.

Powerful reports that "the Supreme leaders Mazi Nnamdi Kanu arrived the site at about 5:30 pm in the evening, on reaching the venue, he broke down and wept for the lives lost, he later prayed to God Almighty (Chukwu Okike Abiama) for their souls to keep on fighting for the restoration of Biafra, which was the main reason why they lost their lives"

Powerful said that the visit to St Edmund was in line with the initial plan announced by the leadership of IPOB concerning the visit to be embarked by the leader of IPOB mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the sites and the families of those of our members who were killed by  at Nkpor and other places in Biafraland during the peaceful protests and rallies in Biafraland since two years ago.

IPOB and MASSOB Commends peaceful rally and sit at home across globe

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( IPOB) , and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra ( MASSOB), have commended the people of South East and South South geopolitical zones for complying with yesterday's  sit- at - home order in honour of fallen Biafran heroes.

IPOB and Uchenna Madu- led MASSOB in their separate press statements applauded the people for staying indoors in compliance with the order.

Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful thanked the people for their faith and continued support for IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Powerful expressed delight that the people willingly complied with the sit- at- home order without any form of compulsion.

It read in part: " Biafrans have proven to the entire world that they need freedom and the world must know that we are not going back in the quest for independence of Biafra.

"The sit at home order was a success and all the market, schools, Banks, Companies/industries, transport companies businesses in Biafraland were in total compliance may God Almighty (Chukwu Okike Abiama) bless you all.

"There were also total compliance for those in diaspora who marched on the streets of Taiwan, Chad, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Russia, Ukraine, Angola, Congo DRC, Mozambique, Luxembourg, Brazil, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Canada, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, and France.

" Others are Germany, Austria, Finland, South Africa, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin Republic, Gabon, Cape Verde, Madagascar, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Greece, Pakistan and India.

"It was also observed in  Canada Tiriniga and Tobago, Isreal, Italy, Argentina, Bokinafaso, Tanzania, Sao tome and Principe, Australia, Japan, North and South Korea, Namibia, Niger Republic,  Tunisia Algeria, Cape Verde and many more where Biafrans observed the order issued by our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

"Nevertheless, all the market and businesses in Biafra land is under lock and key and  we congratulate you all Biafra for being with us."

MASSOB in a statement said the huge success recorded in the sit- at - home order was an indication that the proposed Biafran  referendum would be a walk over.

"The huge success is an express evidence that the coming Biafra referendum shall be a walk over against Nigeria state. The success is also a direct confirmation that lights and darkness can never walk together.

"The huge success is an indication to the international communities that Biafrans are ever willing to stay on their own.               

"MASSOB is not against Nigeria existence, Biafra nation can as well exist as a sister nation with Nigeria like any other African country.  As this exercise is the greatest of all civil disobedience applied in the struggle for Biafra actualization and restoration, the success has opened a new dimension to Biafran struggle, a new dimension anchored on nonviolence that will continuously paralyze the inconsequential remains of Nigeria.

"I Comrade Uchenna Madu, the leader of MASSOB pledged my consistent and unshakable loyalty to the people of Biafra with a vow that any day I go back on Biafra actualization and restoration struggle, I shall die."

"The honour and pride goes to the people of Biafra. The success achieved today is not a selfish pride for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB or Comrade Uchenna Madu led MASSOB or any other group, it is an honour of the people of Biafra, it is an honour of the gallant and eloquent soldiers of Biafra and civilians that bravely laid down their lives for establishment of Republic of Biafra, it is an honourfor Biafra school children, an honour to commercial cyclists, tricycles, buses and other vehicles operators, it is an honour to the cooperate firms/establishments that complied with the sit at home exercise. "       

Sit at home order : maximum compliance in Nnewi

The ever bubbling Nnewi main market became a shadow of its usual self as traders and customers stayed away in obedience to the stay at home directive by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB)

Business activities were paralyzed in the industrial town as banks, schools public and private, shops and other concerns remain closed in commemoration of the Biafra 50th anniversary.

Armed security operatives were seen patrolling and as well stationed at strategic points in the town. Police helicopter hovered severally in the air space of the town.

The Anambra state chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria(MTUN) Chief Jude Udegbe in a comment said that his members have been ordered to stay at home in commemoration of the day knowing fully well that there wont be passengers for them to carry around.

Udegbe noted that it would be foolhardy to come out for business when service stations are not dispensing fuel and markets and schools are shut in compliance with the directive.

The Okada chairman however urged the federal government to dialogue with the Biafra agitators to know what they really want instead of hunting them down with gun.

"Nigeria government is in dialogue with known criminals and I see no reason why the Biafra agitators who are not even criminals should not be given similar treatment." Udegbe explained.

In his own comment, the former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife(Ikenga Nnewi) noted that compliance or no compliance is a test of degree of awareness of people in Biafraland and Biafra in other land and its significance.

Dr Ikedife said that it is imperative to appreciate the need to sit back once in a while in retrospect and reassessment of the situation in the country and remembering those that made supreme sacrifice during the conflict referred to as Nigeria/Biafra civil war.

'' It is important to have a memorial for those who were annihilated, burnt, starved and denied asses to the external world, those who died at market places churches, victims of air raids and starvation.

"We should also remember those who made sacrifices in foreign land for Biafra, one of such is a twenty year old student of Columbia University, New York, Bruce Mayrock who sprinkled himself with inflammable substance and set himself ablaze in front of UN building in May 30, 1968 to draw attention of the world to the annihilation going on in Biafra land and Karl Van Rosen who brought his air craft.

"We should also remember countries like Gabon, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Haiti and one other country that gave recognition to Biafra based on sympathy over genocide meted out to Biafran people.We remember them and hope that their souls are resting in peace.

Dr Ikedife however pointed out that there was no need for police arrest of the agitators when they simply stayed at home to observe the memorial anniversary noting that its is illogical for police authorities to be talking about arrest when people are in their homes marking the day.

Biafran day: economic activities paralised in  Umuahia, Okigwe

. Schools, banks locked down

Economic and commercial activities were literarily paralised yesterday in Umuahia the Abia State capital as well as Okigwe in Imo State in total compliance with the sit- at- home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( IPOB), and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign  State of Biafra ( MASSOB).

The sit -at - home order which was overwhelmingly supported by the majority of the people recorded huge success in Umuahia, Nnamdi Kanu's home town.

Investigations by our correspondent who monitored the level of compliance in the city revealed that most roads  in Umuahia were virtually empty as motorists stayed away while except few tricycle operators.

Similarly the streets were deserted especially at the morning ours as most shop owners failed to open for business until late afternoon when some opened.

Major markets in the town especially Ubani, and Orie Ugba were empty as most traders did not also open for business.

The few traders who were seen around their shops decided not to open their shops but were monitoring the situation.

But there was total compliance at Okigwe as both Eke Okigwe and Abakpa Markets were totally locked down without any trader in sight except Eke Okigwe where few persons were seen observing the situation. 

Most schools in Umuahia both private and public were also under lock and key  as students and staff did not show up.

Similarly  banks rendered skeletal services while some did not open for business at all leaving customers only with the option of transacting through the Automated Teller Machine ( ATM).

Most motor parks monitored were a ghost of their self while passengers particularly those traveling outside Umuahia were only trickling in.

The entrance gate of the Abia Line Network main loading bay opposite Railway station Umuahia was under lock and key when our correspondent visited the park while only few passengers traveling outside the state capital showed up.

The ever- busy Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway was virtually deserted with only few vehicles plying on it.

In an interview, a resident Chief Sam Ugochukwu expressed delight that the people complied with the order to stay indoors as a mark of honour to fallen Biafran heroes.

He particularly expressed joy that the exercise was not violent , maintaining that there is nothing wrong in devoting a day to remember those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of struggle for Biafran liberation.

His words:" I am particularly impressed that people were not coerced to complied but did so out of their volition to demonstrate their passion for the Independent State of Biafra.

" What happened today is an indication that the agitation for Biafra has gone beyond IPOB and MASSOB. It is now a mass movement with over 95% of Ndigbo in support of the project. I don't think anything can stop Biafra actualisation".

There were however no incidents of arrests of Biafran activists by the security operatives in Umuahia as the exercise was totally peaceful.

People willingly complied and stayed indoors while police continued with both ariel and ground patrol of the state creating panic among residents.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO) in the state, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed that the exercise was peaceful as no incidents of violence were reported in any part of  Abia.

His words: " It was peaceful in Abia. As we patrolled round the town we discovered that some people opened for business while others did not.  Some banks were operating while some said they were waiting for directives from their head offices. Some schools also opened".

Sit-at-home order: Owerri at stoodstill

In what can be described as successful, business activities in Imo State was yesterday shut down, as people stayed home to comply with the sit-at-home order by Biafra proponents

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign

State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (BIM) had issued May 30th as day of "sit-at-home" especially in the South East states.

The ever busy Wethedral, Douglas, and Bank roads in Owerri, the capital city was brought to an abrupt halt as they were devoid of both human and vehicular movements.

The Owerri High Court was not spared as courts could not hold because court clerks called in, to seek permission from work due to their inability to secure public transportation to work.

The few Lawyers seen within the court premises were seen trying to get new dates for their cases.

On its part, Civil Servants also stayed away due to their inability to secure transport to work.

Undoubtedly public transport owners comprising of commercial tricycle owners (keke), bikes, buses, and cabs all stayed away in full compliance of the sit at home order.

Rather young men took over the streets playing football while some gathered to discuss the issue.

The Douglas market popularly called Eke ukwu Owerri was a shadow of itself. All the shops were totally locked while traders stayed away. A rare feat in Owerri.

Rather people across different social networks announced their support for the order, saying it was to commemorate the Nigerian civil war wherein the Igbos lost hundreds of its own.

While there was heavy presence of Police on the streets, there were no skirmishes as people simply stayed indoors and outside work or business places to obey the order.

IPOB RAKES IN SUCCESSES IN ABA AS THEY COMMEMORATE BIAFRAN DECLARATION

The sit at home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra raked in a tremendous success in the commercial city of Aba as residents of the nerve centre complied to the directives in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of the republic of Biafra half a century ago.

Although the state Police Command had warned citizens of the consequences of causing any form of public disorder by Biafran agitators as they mark the anniversary as well as respect the fallen heroes of the struggle but as early as 7am, all the roads in the city were deserted by motorists who would not want to be caught up in any possible public disorder.

All the major markets, financial institutions, public and private schools remain under lock and keys all through the day while youths of the city were seen at several points playing football along the deserted streets and roads.

In order to make sure that they are not disturbed by the law enforcement agents youths of the city had set fire on tyres at several point along the aaa - Port Harcourt expressway even as both the men of the military disappeared from the several check points mounted across the city.

Somewhere along Port Harcourt road and pound roads, youths had also stopped all vehicles from using the roads as they try to enforce the sit at home orders while government offices including the Aba South Local Government, the High Court as well as the Magistrate courts, among others, where without official activities.

Although Ebere Nwakanma, chairman of the Uratta Integrated Market had told this reporter yesterday in an interview that his market would remain open while the commemoration is going on, the market just like the Ariaria International Market, Ngwa road, Etche Road among other markets remained closed throughout the day.

There were no incidents of cat and mouse game between the security operatives and members of the IPOB but residents who had a reason to leave their houses were left with the only option of trekking very long distances to their destinations even as travellers who were caught up in the sit at home order were seen at several points in the city looking hopeless and helpless.

Some who had thought that it will be business as usual and had ventured out to their shops were also seen stranded without any means of going back home as buses, taxis as well as tricycles were forced out of the roads by suspected members of the IPOB who were reportedly said to have manhandled owners of such vehicles who refused to comply with the order, while both private and public motor parks remained without their normal daily businesses going on throughout the day.

At some point, and at different times, two helicopters on surveillance had hovered around the commercial city even as youths in the city had dared them to lower down if they really worth their onions.

Speaking in an interview with the Authority in Aba, Prince Dike O. Dike had expressed happiness that the sit at home order worked out perfectly well just as he revealed that this was the first time that the activities of the IPOB will receive maximum compliance from residents of the city.

Prince Dike had commended IPOB in the commercial city for comporting themselves in an orderly manner just as he had reminded them on the need not to be violent in whatever they they do and at any point in time.

His words, "I call on Biafrans to keep it up. We are already there.  Its only a question of time. But please let there be no violence in whatever you do as it won't do us any good.  We need to live and achieve what we want".

He had posited that everybody in Biafra is not interested in Nigeria anymore just as he had expressed great displeasure over the killings of the people all  these years.  He also had condemned the activities of some people who he noted have through their actions and inactions questioned the sovereignty of the Biafran nation.

As at the time of this report, the commercial city was still enveloped in the euphoria of the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the republic of Biafra, fifty years ago while commuters where still stranded in many of it streets and roads.

Kanu shines over Uwazuruike

The supremacy battle between founder of the Movement for the  Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Independent Movement(BIM) chief Ralph Uwazuruike and his Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) counterpart,Nnamdi Kanu may have been put  to rest yesterday as residents of the state where Uwazuruike hails from strictly observed the sit at home protest by IPOB as against the warning of MASSOB to ignore the request.

Despite the assurance of the sate Commissioner of Police,Chris Ezekiel to protect the lives and properties of residents, urging them to go about their normal businesses without fear, all banks in the state including business premises were shot as customers were stranded at various entrances of the banks. Retrieving monies by the bank customers from different locations of the banks was also not a good experience.

Markets and schools in the state also showed a strict compliance .Both private and public schools in the state had their schools closed.

At the popular Douglas road where the famous Eke - Ukwu Owerri is located,some youths were seen playing football at the ever busy rose.

However,some of the residents who spoke to put correspondent attributed the strict compliance to fear of what may happen to them if they disobeyed the request.

It would be recalled that IPOB and MASSOB have been engaged in a media war on the sit at home. MASSOB had earlier urged Ndigbo to disregard the order by IPOB claiming that May ,30 is not a day to honour Biafran fallen heroes but  May,25 ,a day they claimed Biafra started their struggle through Uwazuruike.

IPOB Sit-at-home : Bishop Ikeakor faults the order, says it bleeds the economy

Bishop of Amichi Anglican diocese, Rt. Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor said he is not at home with the stay at home order of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) in honour of their members who lost their lives during the Nigerian/Biafran civil war.

Bishop Ikeakor stated this during a press briefing to mark the third session of the third synod of Amichi Anglican diocese at St. James Anglican Church, Azigbo in Nnewi south Local Government Area of Anambra state.

He opined that there is nothing wrong in agitating for independence but condemned in strong terms, their stay at home order and its extension to other geo-political zones.

His words: “I learnt the stay at home order was extended to Abuja, Lagos, Jos, Kogi and other Northern and southern parts of the country by the pro Biafran agitator, IPOB. To me, there is nothing wrong with the agitation but why sit at home and extension order?

“Sit at home breeds hunger and economy is in recession. The ideology is wonderful but we need to thinker properly so that we don’t mess ourselves up. We should advise our youths not to plunge us into another civil war” he urged.

The prelate while speaking on the theme of the synod, which is; “Contending for the Faith and Maintaining Bible Standard in a perverse and anti-Christian Generation” informed the congregation that God, through the synod, wants to bring His people back to standard Christian life as light of the world.

He however observed that the church of God, especially in Nigeria, is being challenged by Islamic fundamentalism, terrorism and aggression, revealing that that Christians can only contend for the faith and still maintain Bible standard by holding tenaciously, the bible and praying fervently to God.

“Looking into the society and church of today and the values being propagated and celebrated now, it means the church is at the cross road because the mission of the church is being abandoned by many forces including the false teachings of fake pastors and church leaders.

“Also, the moral depravity and bankruptcy in our society also informed the choice of this theme because the church does not exist in a vacuum. The church exists in a society and every society has context.

“In our society today, vices are highly celebrated and rewarded while virtues are disdained. So, how can the church maintain her status as the light of the world in such a terrible and challenging environment?

Some many people either abandons the genuine Christian faith out rightly or are practicing what we call now, neo-paganism and syncretism. Also, the revival of the doctrinal factors is also affecting the church.

“The issue of secularizing the gospel, embracing the doctrine of liberalism and the utility gospel that is being preached everywhere constitute a challenge to our Christian faith. Our government and traditional rulers engage into revival of idolatry in the name of cultural revival and our church members are relapsing and are being swallowed up by the society”

The Authority reports that IPOB had earlier ordered every Igbo person to stay at home and remember their heroes and heroines past and as well, ensure that all roads leading to south east zone were blocked on May, an order that did not go down well with many stakeholders and clergy.

Ohanaeze drums support ,vows to hold Osinbajo responsible for any killing of agitators

The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio- cultural organisation,  Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday gave its support to the sit-at- home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( IPOB).

Ohanaeze Youth Council ( OYC) in a press statement issued by its Deputy National President, Dr. Arthur Obiora; and the National Secretary,  Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, respectively, urged Ndigbo everywhere to comply with the order.

According to the statement, " the international community is watching; so, if we can show unity as a people, if we can show solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu; and Uchenna Madu, the leaders IPOB, and  MASSOB, respectively, the United Nations and other international organizations will not just accord us respect but help us in pushing for a referendum."

OYC said it would hold Vice President Yemi Osinbajo responsible should there be any killing of Biafra agitators by overzealous security operatives.

"Ndigbo shall hold Osinbajo responsible should the security forces kill Biafra agitators tomorrow ( today)", OYC said.

The statement further read: " This is coming amid fears over alleged plans by security operatives to open fire on the agitators who shall be observing a sit-at-home to mark the 50th year of Biafra declaration.

"We shall not take lightly the spilling of the blood of any Igbo man today because these are non-violent agitators and their agitation is protected under every known law.

"As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo is very much aware of the constitutional rights of these agitators and he should therefore not allow himself to be used as an instrument to suppress lawful expression of opinion.

"He should, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria call all security agencies to order to ensure that they do not engage in mass murder.

"We have had enough of this mindless killing of our people and we are not going to take it again this time."