Who Is General Innocent Orji Of Biafra National Guard (BNG)?
Gen Innocent Orji was once a member of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), under Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, working under Massob Security structure. He was arrested and Jailed at the Onitsha Prison for 11 years alongside his newly wedded wife, Mrs Onyekachi Orji, who is currently still in Prison. She was allegedly delivered of a baby in Prison.
Emmanuel Orji, is the “son” of Gen. and Mrs Orji who was allegedly given birth to in Awka Prison (Correctional Centre), Anambra State.
In September, 2021, the Pìoneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest And Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Chief J-K Gadzama SAN, after submitting his official report on his visit to Awka Correctional Center, Anambra State, said Emmanuel Orji was not born in Prison.
This report was demanded by President of the NBA, the Eastern Bar Forum, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on the case of Emmanuel Orji which was reported by the Distinguished Senator at the Eastern Bar Forum meeting held on the 24th July 2021 at the Hon. Justice A.I Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu State.
In May 2021, a group of human rights lawyers and other stakeholders in Anambra State raised alarm over the unlawful detention of no fewer than 18 persons in various Correctional Centres in the State, for offences allegedly committed by their fathers, husbands, brothers or relations.
They also decried the detention of a woman identified as Mrs. Onyekachi Orji, who was pregnant when she was arrested before she delivered in prison and had remained in custody for twelve years with the baby.
The group through its spokesman, Chijioke Ifediora Esq, said they will no longer accept the continued detention without trial of the victims and ask all families and friends concerned, to give this process freeing them a chance, adding that on justice they stand.
Ifediora, further stated that the cases of the victims have been moving at a pace “slower than snail speed” with the last hearing being in January 2020 and most of them adjourned to March 2021.
“We, therefore, say a capital No to the continued detention without trial of these people and we called on Attorney-General of the Federation, the Prosecuting Counsels, State Government and others involved in the matters to urgently administer justice on the victims.
“As concerned citizens and advocates for rights of all and the sustenance for human dignity, we wish to use this opportunity to draw the attention of the International Community, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Anambra State Government to the incarceration, prison detention without trial and gross abuse of human rights of over eighteen citizens of Igbo extraction allegedly for crimes they committed.
“Our investigation reveals that these persons have been in detention at Onitsha and Awka Correctional Services Centers for over twelve years, awaiting trial. We, therefore, request that our justice system should be based on the principle of fair hearing, the presumption of innocence until proved guilty and speedy dispensation of justice.
In a report by The Nigeria Lawyer, Gadzama, SAN in the company of some lawyers from his firm as well as C.I. Meze (the counsel that has been handling the matters) and Mr Ken Nwanna, the Chairman of the NBA Awka branch visited the Awka Correctional Center on August 5, 2021.
At the Correctional Centre, the team were received by Maria Kwazu, the Welfare Officer, who ushered them to the office of the Officer-in-Charge, DSP Harry Okonkwo.
What the Nigerian Government has to Say
The team was informed that, although there was an Emmanuel Orji, but contrary to reports, he was neither born in the Correctional Centre nor was he a son of Onyekachi Orji. As a matter of fact, he is close to 40 years and was about 25 years when he was remanded 15 years ago.
The correct information was that although Mrs. Onyekachi Orji, who was already pregnant as at the time of her remand, had given birth while in custody, she gave birth to a girl who was not in any Correctional Centre, but living with her father, Innocent Orji in the village.
The said Onyekachi Orji was arraigned in two different courts:
- Charge No HN/2/2011 between the State v Innocent Orji (General) & 16 Ors, coram Honourable Justice Ike Ogu, before the Anambra State High Court, sitting at Awka.
- Charge No FHC/AWK/7C/2009 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria v Chidinma Orji & 15 Ors before the Federal High Court, coram Honourable Justice Oweibo.
While all the Defendants (save Innocent Orji) in the former case (bordering on murder and kidnapping) were acquitted, in the judgment of July 31, 2017, judgment in the latter case (bordering on treason) has been fixed for October 20, 2021, following the adoption of final written addresses by Counsel on July 22, 2021. Innocent Orji has since served out his 10 year term and is now the one taking care of their daughter.
Gadzama, SAN also commended Mr C. I. Meze who has been handling the matter for over 15 years now, at no cost to the Defendants. He equally thanked the Distinguished Senator, the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association as well as the Eastern Bar Forum for giving him such an opportunity to serve.
Gen. Innocent Orji and MASSOB
Gen. Innocent Orji according to an eastern narrator was opposed to MASSOB Non – Violence approach and believe on the principle that only war can achieve Biafra so he broke out from Prison and formed a group known as BIAFRA NATIONAL GUARD ( Biafra Army )
“Nothing is known about This Biafra National Guard but they are totally opposed to No Election in South East, so it’s very much possible that some forces bigger than IPOB maybe taking shape underground in south East.
“IPOB have repeatedly denied being the sponsors of Unknown Gun men and even Some south East Governor’s have distance IPOB from the activities of unknown gun men .
General Innocent Orji is also the head head of the Biafra Supreme Military council of Administration (BSMCA).
Gen. Inocent Orji and link with Unknown Gunmen (UGM), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) and Department of State Services (DSS)
According to a viral source, Gen. Innocent Orji and Biafra National Guard (BNG) are allegedly working for and with the Department of State Services (DSS) and Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) to try to discredit Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the struggle for achieving Biafra.
They are allegedly funded and protected by DSS & DMI as an integral part of their Unknown Gunmen (UGM) undercover covert operations in Biafraland and South East in particular!
Innocent Orji is leader of the group that allegedly kidnapped Chinese workers of Innoson Motors some years ago. He received a total of about 20 Million Naira in ransom and still killed the Chinese hostage.
Him and some of his gang were then captured by the Nigeria Police Force and jailed for years with his wife and others.
Whilst in custody the DSS & DMI allegedly recruited him into their covert anti-Biafra insurgency operations wing, trained him and his gang, freed them, armed them up and funded them to establish what they now call Biafra National Guard (BNG) as part of the UGM ravaging the South East!
As we write, DSS still holds Innocent Orji’s wife in special protective custody to ensure he remains under their control.
“Those of you here relating these DSS and DMI people to IPOB/ESN or to Biafra Struggle should know Innocent Orji, because his kidnapping case was public knowledge.
“Before Innocent Orji and his DSS & DMI UGM will free Biafra, they should go and free his wife first from DSS special protective custody.
“When IPOB/ESN tell you that UGM is DSS & DMI and DSS & DMI are the UGM terrorising the South East, you should know it is based on perfect accurate intelligence.”
“Biafra National Guard lead by Innocent Orji is a totally DSS & DMI owned and funded Zoo Government UGM organisation.
“All the UGM in the South East, including those that they unleashed on Anambra, are all DSS and DMI operatives controlled and funded by the FGN!
“All the killings and arson in South East, attacks on Police, INEC, assasination of of Dr Akunyili and others, burning of houses and markets and crimes against humanity in the South East, are DSS & DMI UGM covert operations. They are also the ones claiming to enforce Sit at Home on Mondays. They have added robbing of markets in South East Villages to their activities. Last week Tuesday they robbed an entire market at Awo-Omamma claiming to be ESN and carted away goods and commodities of poor innocent Biafrans! It’s all DSS & DMI UGM operations.”
“Now you all know the truth about UGM in the South East.” The viral statement says.
In September, 2021, the Biafran National Guard, BNG announce the return of its leader, General Innocent Orji.
According to the group’s statement, Gen. Orji “spent his absence from public glare garnering international relationships and diplomacy with other countries across the globe and has vowed to assist in whatever way deem possible to restore the sovereignty of Biafra not later than this year.
He was welcomed by representatives of Biafran Supreme Military Council of Administration [BSMCA] and the Upper and Lower Chambers of the Biafran Transitional Parliament [BTP] privately in Accra-Ghana in August 2021.
At the visit by the Council and Parliamentarians, the founder of BNG expressed satisfaction over the activities of BNG despite his years of absence and explained that the lacklustre attitude that led to his expulsion was to enable him penetrate areas of concerns without unnecessary attention towards him.
He promised that he has never thought of jettisoning the struggle for the restoration of Biafra sovereignty for any moment in his lifetime.
He wondered why anyone will ever think he will forget about Biafra when Mrs Onyekachi Orji, his newly wedded wife that also gave birth in prison and also close comrades are still locked up in the Onitsha and Awka Prisons for over fifteen years and their only crime is demanding for the right to self-determination as recognized by international law and conventions.
“Col Nsikak Akpan had at the Accra meeting voluntarily handed over the leadership of BNG to General Innocent Orji but he rescinded, demanding for time to go into prayers and consultations.
“The Council hereby announce that General Innocent Orji has accepted to lead the Biafran National Guard in the defence of the Military Flag of Authority which in essence means the liberation and protection of lives and properties in Biafraland.
“Outgoing BNG Head, Col Nsikak Akpan expressed his profound gratitude and congratulated Gen Orji’s return from his foreign trip, therefore handed over the mantle of leadership to him at the BNG National Headquarters, Nsukka Province.
“In response, Gen Orji however thanked the doggedness of BNG and reiterated to ensure that Biafra becomes a sovereign nation this year 2021, promising to uphold all decisions by his predecessor including up-coming live BNG broadcast from 27-30 October 2021.
In October 2021, the BNG in a viral press statement, stated that on October 30th, 2021, if leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Mrs. Onyekachi Orji & Co are not released on October 21, that it will declare Biafra a Republic.
The statement quoted Article 3 of the United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous People which states that;
“Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development” while Article 4 states that “Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions”.
THE CLASH
On Thursday, 28th of October, 2021, a suspected BNG member was killed by Nigerian troops conducting Exercise Golden Dawn in Abia state.
The victim was said to be among a group of gunmen who attacked troops’ location at Amaekpu in the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State that same Thursday, according to a statement released by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations.
Videos circulated online show armed individuals claiming to be Biafran National Guards stating that they are preparing for war and on their way to free Biafran prisoners of war.
The voice of a person recording could be heard saying in one of the films,
“The liberation of Biafra has just begun. Today is Day 2 of our glorious week. You can Biafran National Guards are already on the ground and they are on the move to go and rescue the prisoners of conscience – Mrs Onyekachi Orji and the rest of them.
This is Biafran National Guards, as you can see them, they are all on alert. You can see they are ready for war, war for the liberation of Biafra has just begun.”
The man behind the camera then approached a man in one of the vehicles, identifying him as the Commander, Gen Innocent Orji.
This is the commander, Gen Innocent Orji. Sir, can you tell us what is happening here?” he asked the commander.
Orji replied saying,
“We want to tell them that Anambra election can never hold. We are going to declare the sovereignty of Biafra Nation”
The unidentified man behind the camera continued,
“This is our military. Biafran National Guards are in various vehicles, ready to go and free the prisoners of conscience that have been imprisoned for almost 15 years. You can see them filling their vehicles.
“Saturday, 30th of October is going to be the redeclaration of Biafra sovereignty.”
Watch Video:
Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, recently disclosed that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and his group never said election should not hold in Anambra State.
In a report by Daily Post, Abaribe said fifth columnists are behind the no election order and not Kanu or IPOB.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with the leadership and students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Abaribe said Kanu’s lawyers confirmed that the order did not come from their leader.
“Who gave the order that there will be no election? IPOB has never said that there will be no election in Anambra. It is the handwork of 5th columnists,” Abaribe said.
There has been tension over the planned conduct of the November 6th governorship election in Anambra State.
Rumours making the rounds have it that IPOB declared that the forthcoming election won’t hold.
However, IPOB has denied giving such an order, stressing that it has nothing to do with Nigeria’s electoral system.
It insisted that its sit-at-home in Anambra State and South-East in general will start from November 5th and this order is aimed at prevailing on the Federal Government to release Kanu.
The statement read, “The global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indefatigable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to clarify that contrary to speculations and blackmail, IPOB has never made any official statement or called for the boycott of Anambra State gubernatorial election coming on 6th of November 2021. It will therefore be wrong for people to speculate or peddle falsehood against us when there is no basis for such.
“For the sake of clarity, what we said was that the entire Biafra land would be locked down from November 5 to November 10, 2021 if by November 4 the federal government fails to release our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.
“Our position has nothing to do with Anambra election. All we need is the release of our Leader who committed no crime to be held perpetually in custody. We have gathered through intelligence the plot by Nigerian Government to keep our leader in detention perpetually through frivolous court adjournments.
“Politicians must leave IPOB out of their predicaments. They should stop dragging IPOB into their election. We knew their evil plans when they were killing their fellow politicians and blaming it on IPOB. They should leave us alone.
“Using social media to link IPOB to Anambra election shows most of them are not informed about plots by Nigeria Government and her security operatives to hijack this election and give it to whom they feel to perfect establishment of Ruga in Anambra State. But that won’t work for them because IPOB is ahead of their game plan.
“We urge media houses to be objective in their reportage and cross-check their facts. IPOB has never at any time called for boycott of Anambra election. Media houses should stop publishing lies against us.”
On Friday, 29th of October, two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were killed in Anambra.
The officers were attacked as gunmen ambushed their convoy while on election campaign duty in Ekwulobia.
Videos showing the aftermath of the attack were circulated on social media.
The footages and photos show the extent of firepower against the security agents as bullets riddled windshields of vehicles.
Joint forces comprising the police and the military later took over the area.
The bodies of the deceased were hurriedly taken away from the scene as several residents converged.
On October 30th, 2021, Premium Times reported that a soldier and four IPOB members were killed in Anambra after a gun battle.
Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army conducting a special operation in the South-east, Exercise Golden Dawn, killed four members of the IPOB and its militant wing, ESN, during an encounter in Anambra State.
A soldier also died in the crossfire.
This is believed to be in retaliation to the above attack that ‘lost’ two DSS operatives
Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to Mr Nwachukwu, the incident happened when the assailants stormed a location and attacked a group of security personnel deployed at Ekwulobia Roundabout in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The attack, according to the army, led to swift security mobilisation to the scene and subsequent pursuit of the terrorists along Nnewi – Nnobi road where the fierce encounter took place.
Mr Nwachukwu said arms and ammunition were recovered from group during an encounter.
Read the army’s full statement:
TROOPS NEUTRALISE IPOB/ESN GUNMEN
Recover AK-47 Rifles, vehicles, ammunitionTroops of 82 Division Nigerian Army conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN have neutralised four gunmen of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in a fierce encounter at Nnobi Junction, Idemili South Local Government Area on Friday 29 October 2021. This followed the assailants’ armed attack on personnel of security agencies deployed at Ekwulobia Round About in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, during which troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and subsequently embarked on pursuit of the criminals along Nnewi – Nnobi road.
Troops made contact with the fleeing gunmen and engaged them in a fire fight, neutralising four of the criminals.
The gallant troops also recovered two AK-47 Rifles, one GALIL Ace 5.56 x 45 Iwi Gun, one Avofeng Hand held radio and one Black Highlander jeep. Sadly, a personnel of one of the security agencies paid the supreme price.
In a separate operation, troops have foiled another attack by IPOB/ESN gunmen at Umunze Checkpoint, in Orumba South Local Government Area. The vigilant troops overwhelmed the attackers in the shootout that ensued, forcing them to take to their heels, abandoning, one Pump Action gun with nine cartridges, one dark blue Ford and four motorcycles, which the troops have recovered.
The Nigerian Army notes that the recent attacks are part of proscribed IPOB/ESN plan to instil fear into the public and sabotage forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election. Members of the public are reassured that the Nigerian Army, sister services and other security agencies will not relent in resolutely confronting all criminals intents against the citizenry and national interest. Law abiding citizens are enjoined to continue to go about their daily activities without any fear. They are also encouraged to report any unusual activity observed across Anambra State to the nearest security post.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
30 October 2021
What will happen on Saturday, 30th of October, 2021? What game is going on? Is there more to this?
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