Pro-Biafra Protests: South-east Govs, Ministers, Lawmakers Meet Sunday

Governor Rochas Okorocha

MASSOB cautions military over Biafra
Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Amby Uneze in Owerri


An emergency meeting of major stakeholders from the South-east geopolitical zone including the five governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as leaders of the apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has been scheduled to take place in Enugu next Sunday with the sole objective of looking into the activities of pro-Biafra protesters which had recently grounded business activities in the zone.

Briefing journalists shortly after a closed door meeting of the governors of the states in the South-east, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said the governors were concerned over the security threat posed by the increased mass protest by pro-Biafra groups led by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other affiliated groups in the zone.

This came as the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu Brig- General Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday re-emphasised the warning against insecurity which the Division issued last Monday to pro-Biafra protesters, insisting that pro-Biafra protesters should know that there is a certain borderline that must not be crossed.

The GOC who briefed journalists stressed that as a reminder, the Nigerian army would like to send an unequivocal warning to all and sundry, more especially to “all those threatening and agitating for the dismemberment of the country, committing treasonable felony and arson as well as wanton destruction of lives and property that once deployed, the Nigeriana army shall apply the rule of engagement to the letter in order for peace to prevail.”

But Okorocha who addressed journalists in company of Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Dr. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, said the stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu next Sunday has become imperative in view of recent developments in the zone. Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State neither attended nor sent a representative to the meeting.

He noted that they resolved in their meeting to consult widely with the Ohanaeze leadership, traditional rulers, development unions, clergy, and other stakeholders on how to ensure lasting peace in the zone, while advising MASSOB and IPOB members to continue to tow the path of peace as that remained the only way to ensure economic development in the zone.
The governors also resolved to appoint a high level Economic Advisory Committee to harness the economic potentials of the people of the zone.

They also expressed concern about the poor state of the federal roads in the zone especially the Enugu-Onitsha, Aba-Ikot-Ekpene, Owerri-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Port Harcourt roads, among others, and stressed the need for the federal government’s urgent attention on the roads.

But, on his part, the GOC of 82 Division, Attahiru, re-stated that when crisis situations which obviously constitute threat to lives and property arise, it becomes necessary for the army to apply the Rules of Engagement (ROE) and code of conduct to ensure that normalcy is restored.
He said in line with this, troops are duty bound to intervene in such situations to prevent a breakdown of law and order of an area where they are deployed.

But MASSOB has chided President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for their reactions, saying the only way forward was the invocation of a United Nations backed up referendum to decide on Biafra.

In a statement signed by the National Director of Information of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu and made available to THISDAY in Owerri, said MASSOB viewed President Buhari’s statement that Nigeria was indivisible as his personal opinion and that such view does not represent the overall stand of all Nigerians.

According to him, as a president, Buhari can never openly agree to anything that would affect the oneness of his Nigeria.

He said the people of Eastern region would decide that, adding that Buhari should not bother himself about the ethnic nationalities who have decided to leave Nigeria, adding that even his people, the Arewa, are earnestly willing to opt out because Nigeria as a country, favours no ethnicity but only the cabals, politicians and high profile personalities.