NZUKO Umunna, an Igbo group, has urged John Nnia Nwodo,  president  general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to intervene in the deproscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Nzuko Umunna stated that deproscription of IPOB is now necessary to stop the situation where security agents hide under it to kill unarmed Igbo youth like the Enugu massacre on April 22.

About 21 unarmed Igbo youths were allegedly killed where they were having a meeting by security operatives from the police and Department of State Services, DSS. Two operatives of DSS were allegedly killed too.

This prompted Nzuko Umunna to write  the letter  to Nwodo dated August 27, 2020 and entitled:

“DE-PROSCRIPTION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF BIAFRA (IPOB): REQUEST FOR INTERVENTION”.

The letter was signed by Ngozi Odumuko, co-ordinator, Nzuko Umunna and it’s secretary, Paschal Mbanefo.

The letter commended the stellar leadership of Nwodo, which gavecgave to NdigbotNdigbo continue in their quest for a just and egalitarian society where their right to live as free and noble citizens in dignity and peace is secured.

It noted the recent gruesome killing at Emene, Enugu State of many Igbo youths allegedly suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

Said Nzuko Umunna, “It is noteworthy that this continued bloodletting by security agencies especially among the ranks of Igbo youths suspected to be members of IPOB has largely gone unchallenged.

“What is more, these killings seem to have become more frenzied on the heels of the highly controversial proscription of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in January 2018. It has become apparent that the security agencies now use the controversial proscription as a veritable excuse and smokescreen not only to unleash mayhem on unarmed Igbo youths, but to also escape justice in light of these grave extra-judicial killings.”

According to the group, “It is highly instructive that IPOB has always professed a commitment to non-violence.

“We note that similar organisations in Nigeria including the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association  and Arewa Youths Forum (AYF) have neither witnessed the level of onslaught unleashed on IPOB members nor has the Federal Government made any move to proscribe them.”

Part of the statement reads: “In an era when rampaging killer-herdsmen are roaming around with sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles unchallenged by security agencies, it is unacceptable that a group that has consistently professed non-violence should be shut out from exercising its rights as secured by Nigeria’s Constitution.

“We are deeply concerned that this unrestrained bloodletting among Igbo youths by the security agencies may worsen in the build-up to the next general elections.

“We note that the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination are secured under International Law and by sundry United Nations instruments and convention.

“In particular, we note the observation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz that there is a “systematic violation” of the rights of indigenous people’s through arbitrary arrests and “labeling of indigenous organisations,  leaders and activists as terrorists.”

“Accordingly, we urge you to use your good offices to mobilize men and women of goodwill towards a deproscription of IPOB. This will stem this continued bloodletting among Igbo youths and ensure accountability within the IPOB ranks, as the activities of its members will not be carried out in a covert manner.

Thanking Nwodo for his anticipated fatherly intervention and usual indulgence, Nzuko Umunna also copied the letter to Archbishop AJV Obinna; Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma; Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; Prof Ben Nwabueze; Emmanuel Iwuayanwu; Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo; Archbishop Christopher Edeh; South East CAN; South East Civil Society Organizations and Nigeria Bar Association (Onitsha Branch).

– Aug. 28, 2020 @ 12:20 GMT /