Why our members are fleeing Nigeria – IPOB

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are fleeing the country over an alleged threats to life of its members by suspected Nigerian security agents.

It said while some of the members have been marked for elimination, others were being hunted by the security personnel.

In a statement issued by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB added that the threat had compelled many to flee to other countries, while others were being trailed for arrest and torture.

The group regretted that those who fled the country were passing through trauma and emotional stress as they were being prevented to visit home to attend the burial of their beloved ones.

The statement read in part, “We the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, , wish to put the whole world on notice that the lives of our members are in grave danger in Nigeria. Our members have been marked for elimination, and are being hunted by the Nigerian security agents.

“Some of our members who are lucky enough to escape to other countries escape untimely death while others who are not are being trailed for arrest and torture. Even those who fled the country are passing through trauma and emotional stress as they are being prevented from visiting home to attend the burial of their beloved ones.

“Till today, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS and other security agencies in Nigeria are still trailing IPOB Media Supervisor in Rivers State, Madam Obiageli Vivian Mboma, who fled Nigeria since 2016.

“This Biafran activist could not attend her mother’s burial which held recently for fear of arrest by the Nigeria security agents. Madam Oby’s fate is common among thousands of other Biafran agitators who have today been made fugitives in their ancestral lands because the wicked security agencies in Nigeria have placed them on their wanted list.

“Our members are facing serious persecution in Nigeria. Security agents keep trailing and hunting them. Some of them are languishing in various detention facilities across the country without trial. Instead of fighting terrorists, bandits, killer herdsmen, Boko Haram and ISWAP that are at the verge of taking over Nigeria, the Nigeria Government is only busy hunting down peaceful Biafran agitators.

“Our members are in serious danger in Nigeria. We appeal for global assistance so that the Nigeria Government will not succeed in its evil agenda to decimate Biafra activists. We are peaceful people seeking the restoration of our beloved Biafran Republic. Our only crime to the Nigeria State is that we demand self determination which is our fundamental right.”

While commending European countries and other nations for providing refuge to many of its members and other Biafran agitators being hunted for elimination in Nigeria, IPOB appealed to other countries of the world to come to its members’ rescue.

“The God of heavens will not leave them unrewarded for this humanitarian gesture. When Biafra is fully restored, we shall certainly reciprocate this goodwill,” the statement added.