How Nigerian Separatist Group, Biafra, Lost 21 Members To Police Shooting

On Sunday, Nigerian Separatist Group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), lost 21 Members after they were attacked while holding their meeting in Emene, Enugu State in the South-Eastern part of the country.

According to Emma Powerful, the group’s spokesperson, in a press release to the media and accompanied with gory pictures of slain members, IPOB members were having their meeting when the men of the secret service, Department of State Service (DSS), heavily armed, stormed the place and started shooting sporadically.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said 21 of its members were killed in the clash.

Mr. Powerful said 47 IPOB members were also arrested.

Premium Times could not independently verify the claims on casualty by the IPOB spokesman.

“The Nigerian government and her security agencies have once again exhibited another crude round of killing and massacre against the peaceful and unarmed IPOB family members in Enugu State today 23rd of August, 2020″

“We are surprised how Nigerian security agencies in their respective formations like army, police, and DSS will be slaughtering our people without any provocation.

“This rampant killing of innocent members of IPOB will be reciprocated in due cause. IPOB members have been slaughtered and arrested in their numbers across different locations in Enugu State today Sunday 23rd August 2020.

“We MUST warn and put the whole world on notice that Nigerian Government and her security operatives should stop killing our people because we are a peaceful organization with the mandate of restoring Biafra sovereignty within the shortest period,”

Mr. Powerful narrated his group’s version of how the violence started.

He said the IPOB members were holding a peaceful meeting when armed SSS operatives stormed the area shooting sporadically.

“Today, the Nigerian security personnel stormed IPOB meeting ground in Enugu and started shooting sporadically which consumed lives of 21 members and 47 arrested for just no cause or provocation,” Mr. Powerful said.

He alleged that the security operatives took the bodies of the slain IPOB members away.

“The security in the whole world must understand that keeping quiet and following the rule of law should not be construed as weakness on the part of IPOB.”

“IPOB is a well-rooted movement committed fully on the pursuit of Biafra freedom and independence from Nigeria. 

“We are not a violent group and there is nothing they can do to change our resolve to maintain peace and order in our land.

“The efforts of the Nigeria government and her partners in crime in trying to push IPOB to change their tactics will amount to vanity”.

“We are warning and asking Nigeria government and her security operatives to stop this atrocity immediately. Why have they refused to confront Fulani terrorists herdsmen, Boko Haram terrorists, Ansaru group, Fulani bandits, ISIS and other groups ravaging the country and busy killing innocent and unarmed citizens of IPOB?”

Mr. Poweful threatened: “those responsible for this barbaric killing in Enugu today must pay for their actions against IPOB at the appropriate time.”

“It is laughable for DSS to be claiming that they lost five personnel in the hands of unarmed and peaceful people. It is clear to all that IPOB doesn’t indulge or carry arm or involve with any object. IPOB is a peaceful movement and we must remain so till Biafra is totally achieved”, he added.

However, in a statement by Peter Afunanya, its spokesperson, DSS denied killing IPOB members but alleged that the Separatist Group attacked them and killed two of its personnel.

Afunanya said: “Our patrol team was attacked in Emene, Enugu State by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“The Service lost two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack launched by IPOB on the team.

“However, all measures have been put in place to ensure that their killers and everyone involved in this dastardly act are promptly apprehended and brought to justice. Consequently, a full-scale investigation will be carried out with regard to the incident.

“Once again, the Service reaffirms its commitment to assiduously work with other security agencies to maintain public safety and order. It, therefore, urges law-abiding citizens and residents to go about their normal businesses without fear,” the spokesperson said.