Nigerian army, yesterday ransacked the home of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, saying they were searching for “technical items.”
The latest incursion was made known by the younger brother of the IPOB leader, Emmanuel Kanu, who lamented to journalists on phone that the raid was carried out even when the military was yet to account for the whereabouts of his brother and leader of IPOB.
He alleged that household items were carted away by “the invaders,” including television sets, generators, clothes, among other belongings of the royal family of Afaraukwu Ibeku.
According to him, the palace was “looted” following the raid.
He therefore called on the international community to prevail on the Nigerian Army to stop further raiding of his father’s palace and to also account for the whereabouts of the IPOB leader.
However, the desk officer of Operation Python Dance in charge of Abia State, who had always refused to reveal his identity when contacted on phone, confirmed the raid, saying it was a joint operation with the state police command.
He denied that household items were removed from the home of the Kanus, insisting that “the things removed may be technical items” and that “somebody was arrested with weapon in the compound.”
The Operation Python Dance desk officer said the joint operation at the home of IPOB leader was based on intelligence report at the disposal of the security agencies which, according to him, indicated that arms were hidden in the compound.
The Abia State Police Command which was named as a party in the joint operation did not confirm its participation as phone calls put through to both the state police commissioner, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi and the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, did not yield positive results. Both men did not pick the calls and neither called back while the PPRO did not respond to text messages sent to him
Meanwhile, IPOB has said boycotting the Anambra State governorship election is the only card left for its members living in the state to demonstrate their resolve to leave Nigeria through the conduct of a referendum.
A statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful, stated that IPOB members in Biafraland would boycott the Anambra gubernatorial election on November 18, 2017, describing it as the day of destiny for all lovers of freedom.
The statement read: “Every genuine Biafran desiring of freedom for Biafra from this Islamic bondage of Hausa Fulani caliphate called Nigeria must not only stay at home on that day, but must also make sure those around them do not vote. November 18, 2017 is a date with history.
“If we Biafrans succeed in demonstrating before international observers that we are serious about our freedom by locking down Anambra State on that day, the world will be in no doubt that Biafra is unstoppable. Our destiny is firmly in our hands.
“We must teach corrupt Igbo politicians that money cannot buy IPOB because we are special breed untainted by the corrupt tendencies of Nigerian politics. Locking down Anambra State will pave the way for IPOB to announce a date for substantive referendum later next year with or without the approval of Nigeria.”
The group said events in Catalonia and Kurdistan have pointed the way forward for it because it was clearly demonstrated by both nations that IPOB can call for and conduct its own referendum with or without the cooperation of Nigeria. It said that election boycott is the only legitimate tool left in the hands of oppressed people to register their displeasure with the ongoing genocide, arbitrary arrests and torture across Biafraland.
The statement further added that the whole world was watching to see how serious the group was towards the realisation of Biafra, and that the successful boycott of the election come November 18 will prove to the entire world how determined they were towards having their own nation.
“We are therefore asking every Biafran and IPOB member who believe in the supremacy of the restoration of Biafra over deceitful game of Nigerian politics to sit at home and not venture outdoor on the 18th November 2017 no matter the amount of threat.
“IPOB under the supreme command and leadership of Nnamdi Kanu is determined to show the world how serious we are towards the restoration of Biafra. Come the 18th of November, the world will know that Biafrans cannot participate in a fraudulent election organised by those that came to our land, killed us and when we complained, they tagged us terrorists.
“We must remain strong and resolute before our enemies as our leader taught us. He have come too far to allow propaganda and blackmail to derail us. As the blessed children of the Most High, it is our duty to let the world know that terrorists don’t vote.”
