As Court Grants Bail To 42 Members, IPOB Asks South East Governors To Commemorate Civil War Heroes

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has urged all South East governors to declare May 30 a public holiday in honour of Biafran fallen heroes killed during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).

IPOB’s commemoration came as Justice John Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to 42 members arrested in Anambra State in December 2023 and subsequently transported to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by security agents.

According to the organisation, it is a time for introspection, to consider Biafrans’ position in modern-day Nigeria and their relevance in the broader national context.

IPOB, on the other hand, stated that the issues that eventually led to the Biafran war remain in the government’s policies and decisions.

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, IPOB’s Lead Counsel, said this in a statement sent to journalists in Abuja.

He stated, “Today, May 30 2024, as we commemorate the death of our fallen heroes and heroines who died during the three-year pogrom on Biafran soil, a Federal High of Nigeria sitting in Abuja per Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho, delivered its ruling on the bail applications we filed and moved on behalf of 42 innocent Biafrans made up of Igbo youths, young women, mothers and fathers, who were arrested in Anambra in December 2023, and subsequently bundled to Abuja by overzealous

“His Lordship, in his well-considered ruling, admitted all of these innocent Biafrans to bail just moments ago. It is important to reiterate that these innocent Biafrans were apprehended in Anambra State by overzealous Nigerian security agents while going about their legitimate businesses, and then brought to Abuja and charged before the court in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024, on a three-count frivolous and unfounded charge of terrorism on the basis of their alleged membership in IPOB.

“We will take steps to ensure that the terms of the bail granted by the court are met as soon as possible so that these innocent men and women can return to their families.

“We are also hopeful that all innocent Biafrans held in various detention facilities across the country will be released soon. May God continue to bless everyone in Ezigbo UmuChineke as we move forward!”

According to Ejiofor, May 30 is designated as a special day to remember and reflect on the deaths of over five million Biafrans who were massacred in a genocide during the three-year Biafra-Nigeria war, which ran from July 6, 1967 to January 15, 1970.

According to him, the day is dedicated to honouring IPOB’s fallen heroes and heroines, not only to remember the cause for which they were brutally murdered, but also to reflect on how their deaths impacted Biafrans’ lives, the lessons learned, and the resolutions made since then.

He stated, “It is a time for reflection, a time to consider Biafrans’ position in modern-day Nigeria and their significance in the broader national context.” Unfortunately, the issues that ultimately led to the Biafran war continue to be present in the government’s policies and decisions.

“Furthermore, we must remember the massacre of over 6,000 men, primarily Asaba residents, who were brutally murdered at Obosowe Asaba in present-day Delta State between October 4 and 7, 1967.” Nigeria has a moral obligation to acknowledge this tragedy because it was not caused by Asaba. The massacre in which Nigerian troops summoned unarmed and innocent Asaba residents, rounded them up, and murdered them in cold blood is still fresh in our minds.

“It is important to note that no matter how long history has been hidden, it will always be revealed on true platforms. Unfortunately, the story of postwar reconstruction, reintegration, and reconciliation has remained a fabrication. These three Rs must work together for a complete healing process, but the opposite has happened.

“I use this moment of sober reflection to urge all South East governors to declare May 30th a public holiday in honour of Biafran fallen heroes. Declaring this date a public holiday across Biafraland is not too much to ask in order to remember and commemorate Biafran heroes and heroines. It is worth noting that long before 2019, the entire South West states designated June 12 as a public holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the annulled 1993 Presidential election, which was determined to have been won by the late MKO Abiola. When the South West Governors made this unanimous declaration, heaven did not fall. Rather, the Federal Government was compelled by these leaders’ strong resolve to declare June 12th a national public holiday beginning in 2019.

“Only the truth can break us free from the bonds of war and propaganda.” I would also like to take this solemn opportunity to urge the government, particularly the Federal Government, to unconditionally release genuine Biafran agitators who are being held in various detention facilities. This gesture will go a long way towards assuaging the grievances of the severely marginalised Biafrans and restoring a sense of reintegration in the Nigerian project, pending a United Nations-organized and supervised referendum on Biafrans’ ultimate fate.

“As we continue to pray for the repose of our fallen heroes and heroines who were massacred during the civil war and subsequent conflicts, let us remember why they died. They did not die for the purpose of relentlessly committing heinous crimes, kidnapping, rampant rape of their descendants, or killing our innocent brothers and sisters by those who have sold their souls to evil. It is not in our nature, culture, or tradition to kill our own. Onye nwere nti ya nuru! Ozo emezina!!!

“May the souls of our fallen heroes and heroines continue to rest in the arms of the Almighty Chukwuokike Abiama. Iseee, Iseeee, Iseeee!!!”