The pro-Biafran group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), said it’s ready to negotiate with the Federal Government on exiting Nigeria.
IPOB in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, alleged that the group had lost over 5,000 members and properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigerian security forces.
IPOB is calling for a peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a United Nations-supervised referendum.
Powerful said the peaceful agitation for Biafra independence started in 2012 without any violence or criminality, but the Federal Government has continued to attack its members.
Part of the statement reads: “We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN-supervised Referendum.
“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests. Nevertheless, the Federal Government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB. Our members have been brutally attacked while on a peaceful protest by the Nigerian security forces at many locations in Biafra Land.
“As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully taken away by the security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.”
