The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have condemned the killing of its members who were protesting peacefully in Aba, on Friday, March 31st, 2023.

At least four people died following a clash between police officers and members of the IPOB in Abia state.

The incident, which happened in Osusu area, Abia North Local Government Area of the state, had IPOB members clad in white outfits and were reportedly protesting on the streets to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, when they were accosted by the police.

The clash led to disruption of economic activities in the area.

It was reported that officers shot sporadically to disperse the protesters while four of them were hit by the bullets and several others sustained injuries.

“You know that for now, if IPOB wants to protest, they do it around here and in other hidden places. But today, I think they were ready to face whatever will come out of it,”

“Against their usual black-on-black attire, they dressed in white clothes probably to give the impression that they are for a peaceful demonstration.

“There were about 300 to 500 IPOB members but I think that the protest leaked into the ears of the security agencies who arrived at the venue and started shooting sporadically into the air.

“It was like a war zone. People were running helter-skelter. Passengers inside buses jumped out to look for safety. Shop owners abandoned their wares for their dear lives. The whole area was deserted within a blink of an eye,” a source disclosed to TheCable.

Also confirming the attack, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has revealed that over 100 others unarmed people were shot and sustained various degrees of injuries by the overzealous Nigerian security agents.

The IPOB counsel warned that the gruesome killing of unarmed Igbo youths by Nigerian security agents for no justifiable reason or committing anything offence known to law would not continue forever.

Titled “Genocidal massacre and brazen killing of innocent and unarmed protesters in Aba, Abia State by overzealous Nigerian security agents on the 31st day of March 2023,” Ejiofor called on the International Community, responsible Foreign Governments and Institutions, to rein in on the Nigerian government to call their lawless security agents to account for the obvious crime against humanity.

The statement partly read: “A gut-wrenching and disturbing news broke yesterday, the 31st day of March, 2023, from Abia State, to the effect that the combined team of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies, launched an unprovoked attack on innocent and unarmed citizens protesting the continued illegal and unconstitutional detention of our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“During the bloody crackdown on unarmed civilians, over ten (10) persons were gruesomely murdered in cold blood, while over 100 persons were grievously injured by lethal weapons, and live ammunition used by these murderous security agents.

“Very disheartening is also the fact that over one hundred and fifty (150) persons amongst the peaceful protesters were abducted, and swiftly taken to unknown location(s) by the security agents, who equally confiscated and took away the dead bodies of those they killed.

“Unfortunately, the foregoing troubling/disturbing news has been verified to be true. It is indeed not a coincidence that this dastardly act is being committed on our land when the international community, more specifically, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) group has beamed their searchlights on the unabated killings of innocent civilians in the South-East by both state and non-state actors.

“Yesterday’s unfortunate event/incident is a further confirmation of the fact that the appropriate institution/organization to classify/designate in the world Global Terrorism Index for their terrorist activities in the South-East, is the overzealous Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies, which have repeatedly shown no restraint in their dastardly acts of genocidal massacre of unarmed/innocent civilians in the South-East, without due regard to the rules of engagement obtainable in a civilised society.”

He added, “the event of yesterday, has also irresistibly pointed to the fact that – the Nigerian Soldiers, Nigeria Police Force and others – actively involved in these heinous crimes against humanity, are the actual culprits, and as such, we are calling on the International Community, responsible Foreign Governments and Institutions, to reign in on the Nigerian government to call their overzealous/lawless security agents to account for this obvious crime against humanity.

“The Nigerian government must audit the details of these heinous crimes against unarmed civilians and genocidal massacre of citizens who are legitimately exercising their civil rights to protest and peaceful assembly as constitutionally guaranteed in Nigeria’s constitution.”

The IPOB lawyer described the bloody crackdown on innocent and unarmed civilians as not only sacrilegious but condemnable, vowing to seek legal redress for the victims in court.

“Hence, we are calling on the Nigerian Security agents to release the dead bodies of those they massacred during the bloody crackdown on innocent protesters yesterday, and also to unconditionally and immediately release the protesters they illegally abducted during the bloody onslaught.

“This ethnic profiling, unprovoked attacks, bloody crackdown and genocidal killings of people from the South-East has gained more prominence recently, and continued unchecked, particularly, now that other non-state actors are involved in other states across Nigeria like Lagos; in the killing of Igbos and destruction of their properties, without being arrested or countered.

“We wish to reiterate our demand for the immediate release of those abducted during yesterday’s unprovoked bloody crackdown, as well as the release of the dead bodies of persons they massacred, to their respective families for proper burial.

“Be assured that we must explore all legal remedies available to the victims in the circumstance of this grave infraction to seek appropriate legal redress before the law courts.”

In a statement on Sunday, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership and command of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU says it ‘is appalled at the joint military and police attack and massacre of some IPOB members who were on a peaceful protest to demand for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU from the DSS dungeon at Aba, Abia State on Friday 31st March, 2023.”

‘For sometime now, there has not been any recorded attack on IPOB peaceful protesters in Abia State. But we want to let the evil men working with the retired Army General and politicians in Abia State that we are aware of those behind the murderous attacks on the peaceful protesters.

More than 50 unarmed protesters were murdered in cold-blood on friday for simply asking the Nigerian government to obey its own Court which ordeded that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be released unconditionally. At the last count, more than one hundred unarmed protesters are still missing while IPOB recovered about three bodies of our murdered youths. More than 30 protesters sustained one degree of bullet wound or the other. The Abia State Police Commissioner should release the bodies of the protesters they killed and took away in other to hide their crime against humanity to their families for proper and dignified burial.” The statement by Emma Powerful reads.

“Nigeria Government and her security agencies must stop house to house searching for IPOB members and the world should take note of this atrocities against the innocent citizens of Aba Abia State, the newly elected Governor and the present governor of Abia state must take notice and stop this atrocities happening right now at Abia State.

Once again the International Community, the United Nations the United States and United Kingdom and the majority of the West Nations have proven without a doubt the lives of Biafrans do not worth anything and IPOB has heard them loud and clear. These sort of mindless massacre of our people only strengthen our resolve to seek out genuine and honest partners and partnership that will be mutually beneficial and forster the needed protection for the Biafran people.”

The Abia State Governor-elect must not allow the agendist to turn Abia State into another killing field. Both the outgoing governor and the new governor elect must ensure that those behind this Unprovoked attack and murder of peaceful protesters are brought to justice.The government of Abia State must immediately call their terrorist in uniform to order because IPOB will not take it lightly with them if they are not immediately recalled and those involved in this evil and wickedness made to answer for their crime.

We warn that those behind this senseless attack and massacre of peaceful IPOB protesters to retrace their steps or face the dance of the spirits of our land. It is not an offense to protest for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is illegally detained by the lawless Nigeria government.”

IPOB is peaceful but can pulldown the tallest iroko standing in our way. Igbo adage says, ” If a deity proves too powerful, it will be reminded of the tree used to carved it”

The Governor-elect in Abia State should be watchful of those who will derail his government even before he starts and make the state ungovernable. IPOB intelligence unit intercepted the discussion leeding up to the mindless and bloody attack on peaceful IPOB protesters on Friday.

The newly elected Governor of Abia State should make it categorically clear to the unscrupulous elements around him to stay clear and allow him to lead Abia State to prosperity. Abia State cannot afford another set of insatiable, greedy, and self-seeking godfathers.”

All the newly elected Governors in the Eastern States should know that IPOB is watching them. Those who need peace will have complete support of IPOB, but those who want to use the killing of IPOB for political advantage should be ready for us.

Eastern politicians who are in bed with Fulani led government who masterminded attacks on peaceful IPOB protesters to bring confusion in the region should advice themselves properly. He who fetched an ant infested firewood should be ready for the visit of lizards in his compound.”