Disturbing developments in Onitsha, Anambra State, at the wake of December, might have introduced a new dimension to the Biafra self-determination struggle, Special Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO, writes.
Developments in the last couple of days have introduced another dimension to the move by pro-Biafra agitators in their self-determination struggle. In all the engagements by groups in the agitation, there had been an understanding of going about their activities under the atmosphere of non-violence. Ralph Uwazuruike, who pioneered the move with his Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), had adopted the policy on its emergence. Even a recent faction of the group which conducted election and pronounced Uchenna Madu, the former MASSOB National Director of Information, as its leader in place of Uwazururike, did not indicate signs of departing from that principle.
In similar stead, the emergence of Nnamdi Kanu and his Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has not substantially diluted the non-violence philosophy. But recent incidents in commercial cities of Onitsha and Aba seem to have opened another chapter in the activities of the agitators. By the time members of IPOB, who appear to have taken the lead in the agitation had ended their protest last Tuesday, December 1, some unsavoury occurrences had been recorded.
One of the agitators who spoke with TheNiche in Onitsha, a day after the mayhem, for instance, contended that though their activities were non-violent, the philosophy does not encourage security operatives making negative use of their arms on the defenceless protesters.
“We shall continue to make peace and be non-violent, but you cannot expect us to keep quiet when soldiers, the police and DSS (Department of State Services) choose to shoot, maim and kill people all in the name of maintaining law and order.
“You remember that while MASSOB was busy preaching non-violence, Boko Haram was busy wasting human lives. The Niger Delta people were busy blowing up oil pipelines. At the end, they were granted amnesty after negotiations while Uwazuruike was hurled into jail for being a peace-maker,” he said.
Agitation goes awry
This, perhaps, informed the showdown that played out last week in Onitsha that led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Trouble started on Tuesday, December 1, when it was alleged that security operatives had misunderstanding with some civilians in Onitsha which resulted in shooting of a passer-by. Apparently angered by the death of the victim, residents quickly mobilised against the policeman who was swiftly protected by his colleagues.
The incident coincided with plans by MASSOB and IPOB members to embark on a mass protest the following morning (Wednesday). The action, which commenced around 5.40am, saw the Onitsha end of Niger Bridge blocked, hence the obstruction of traffic to and from Asaba and Onitsha.
Apparently in a bid to clear the road, law enforcement officers were brought in. At the end of the exercise, National Coordinator of IPOB, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, alleged that five of their members were killed, while 18 persons were injured. The injured, he said, were hospitalised in different hospitals in Onitsha.
“The Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) could not disperse the protesters on Tuesday. They went to regroup and invaded our members who were observing our three-day peaceful protest at the Niger Bridge about 1.30am on Wednesday. We warn that they should not push us to be violent because we have people that can march them violence for violence,” he said.
However, reacting to the incident in Awka, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ali Okechukwu, said that two members of the command were killed during the protest, adding that one of them was a Sergeant.
Okechukwu claimed that eight trucks belonging to a haulage company were burnt, adding however that his men resisted pulling the trigger on the protesters, despite provocation.
IPOB members, however, denied the charge by Okechukwu, alleging that acts of violence that were manifested in the course of the protest were perfected by hoodlums sponsored by agents of the federal government to create the impression that the pro-Biafra groups had turned violent in their agitation.
“Our oppressors are no longer comfortable and they are also jittery. There is no evidence of terrorism, violence or act of war against us, hence they sponsored violence against us. We have been on this peaceful demonstration and protest for over one month without any act of violence.
“How can we resort to violence now that we were told that the presidency is about to negotiate with leaders of pro-Biafra group? With the killing of our members, we are no longer comfortable with this move,” Madu said.
MASSOB doubts sincerity of government
Based on the turn of events, Madu has dismissed the concept of dialogue with the Federal Government over the agitation for Biafra Republic.
He said: “Dialogue is hypocritical and deceitful. Any Igbo group, organisation and persons negotiating, meeting or dialoguing with the presidency on our behalf without our consent or mandate should stop now. MASSOB led by me, Uchenna Madu, and IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu have never mandated any person to negotiate for us. Even in this persecution, arrest, killings, clampdown and suppression against us by Nigerian government, we shall continue to intensify our non-violent agitation for Biafra.
“For Nigeria to release their armed forces against non-violent and defenceless Biafra agitators shows the wickedness and devilish mind of President (Muhammadu) Buhari against our people.”
He, nevertheless, denied involvement of the two bodies on the arson that affected public and private properties in Onitsha, insisting that the acts were not carried out by their members.
APGA wades in
In a move aimed at establishing its neutrality in the uncertain situation, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), regarded by many as a political party with Igbo sentiment, had, while condemning the carnage that trailed the Wednesday incident, urged the federal government to look into the issues raised by the agitators.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ifeatu Obiokoye, had, in an encounter with newsmen, asked the government to consider the gray areas of the agitations.
APGA, he said, would not support a situation where protest by any form is being used to disrupt the economic life of the peaceful people of the South East and endanger the continued existence of Ndigbo in other parts of the country.
He also commended the governors of the South East, who, as chief security officers in their respective states, have shown considerable maturity and responsibility in handling the protests.
“The party, however, advises mischief-makers who have been championing a subterranean plot for the emasculation of Ndigbo through the idea of a state of emergency to refrain from such gambit and leave Ndigbo alone,” APGA stressed.
It further urged Buhari to look more into the plight of the South East in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play in order to address the fundamental issues of marginalisation of the zone to ensure that the frustrations which have given rise to the protests are addressed in the interest of a united federation and sustenance of one and indivisible nation.
Obiano assures on security
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, in a bid to assure that his administration was on top of the situation, dismissed fears of breakdown of law and order in the state. In a broadcast to residents and indigenes of the state, Obiano urged them to go about their lawful duties, assuring that his administration was capable of dealing with mischief-makers in whatever guise.
“The government of Anambra State has been monitoring developments and is greatly concerned about the security of lives and property of residents and visitors to the state. As your governor and chief security officer of the state, I am compelled to act to avert any likely breakdown of law and order. In all situations, the preservation of human life comes first and I am determined to enforce that,” he stated.
He recalled that at inception, his administration made the security of lives and property its priority, stressing that the government was not going to compromise on that.
The governor therefore appealed to the members of IPOB, MASSOB and other aggrieved groups and individuals to maintain the peace and resist any attempt by hoodlums to take advantage of the situation and destabilise any part of the state.
Obiano also assured indigenes and residents to go about their normal businesses, stressing that the security agencies are on top of the situation to preserve law and order.
Though there had been relative calm in Onitsha after the Wednesday showdown, there are fears that unless a lasting solution is found in the pro-Biafra agitation, the prevailing peace may just be tenuous, at most.
Northern leaders call for calm
In a similar note for peace, governors of 19 Northern states, on Thursday, December 3, took undisclosed security measures with a view to ensuring that Wednesday’s incidence in Onitsha did not spread to any state in the zone. Their bold step came as the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged Muslims in the country to resist the temptation of embarking on violence against members of other religions and ethnic regions. Borno State governor and chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum, Kashim Shettima, who spoke through his spokesman, Isa Gusau, disclosed that his colleagues, especially those of major cities, were in touch on how to ensure sustenance of law and other in their states.
The governors and the Sultan, sued for peace, stressing that Nigerians – Muslims and Christians alike – had enough of Boko Haram insurgency to contend with and should not be drawn into further bloodletting with one another.
“We have Boko Haram that kills Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Ijaw and anyone they are able to come across. We thought that the existence of the Boko Haram insurgency should have been enough to make all Nigerians fuse into one and fight a common enemy,” the Northern leaders, stressed.
Though there had been relative calm in Onitsha after the Wednesday showdown, there are fears that unless a lasting solution is found in the pro-Biafra agitation, the prevailing peace may just be tenuous, at most.