Richard Ginika Izuora
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday, October 5, alleged that its members were disappearing, claiming that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the South East is secretly killing its members in the region.
The pro-Biafra group, while calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to halt such killings to avoid pushing it to the wall, also sent a Save Our Soul, SOS, message to the United Kingdom, UK High Commission in Nigeria, Amnesty International in Nigeria, Human Rights Watch, US Embassy in Abuja, Canada, African Union, Commonwealth, European Union, UN Human Rights, and civilised nations across the globe to prevail on the Nigerian government to stop what it described as dastardly and inhuman act.
According to the group, many non members of IPOB were also arrested by SARS and their whereabouts remains unknown, claiming they have been killed by SARS operatives.
This appeal was contained in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
Powerful urged the international community to prevail on the Nigerian government to stop the alleged “unabated secret abduction, torture, detention, and killing of our members and non members.”
The group further called on the “international comunity, the Nigerian Government and the world to beam their search light on SARS in Awkuzu Anambra State, Obigbo in Igweocha, Rivers State, as well as the Anti-kidnapping Squad stationed at Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State”.
The statement reads in part: “We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to bring to the notice of the international community, the unabated secret abduction, torture, detention and killing of our members by the wicked Nigeria security agents.
“These callous beings in security uniform, mainly SARS in Awkuzu Anambra State; Obigbo in Igweocha Rivers State; as well as Anti kidnapping Squad Police, stationed at Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State; are at the helm of this atrocity and inhumanity to man.
“The Nigeria Police SARS in Awkuzu, Anambra State; and Obigbo in Igweocha Rivers State; as well as Anti kidnapping squad security stationed at Enugu Ukwu in Anambra State; are in constant hunt for innocent IPOB members.
“They have also been responsible for the disappearance of many innocent Biafrans; some of whom they have wasted thinking they are IPOB members. Many Biafran youths detained illegally in their different cells have disappeared mysteriously; without any trace of their bodies until recently when our intelligence revealed what they did to them. Some were destroyed with acid to conceal evidence.
“IPOB members in Anambra, Enugu, Igweocha Rivers, Delta, Abia, Imo and other states also are missing everyday. It is regrettable that many parents and families looking for their children detained illegally in the SARS cells across Biafraland may not see them again.
“It’s rather a shame and an international embarrassment that the same Nigeria security which could not protect Borno State governor from Boko Haram terrorists who attacked his convoy and also killed no fewer than 30 persons including security operatives, is busy chasing innocent IPOB members in Biafra land.
“We are sending a Save Our Soul, SOS, message to the United Kingdom; UK High Commission in Nigeria; Amnesty International in Nigeria; Human Rights Watch; US Embassy in Abuja; Canada; Africa Union; Commonwealth; European Union; as well as UN Human Rights; and also civilised nations across the globe including civil society organizations to please come to our rescue.
“We call for unbiased investigation of this matter.”