The 22nd day of May 2019, will remain a memorable day in
my Life. A day that 140 IPOB Enugu family members were on a mission en route to
Nsukka for a peaceful Sensitisation rally for the upcoming Heroes Day
Remembrance of 30th May but the journey turned badly.
As we left Enugu State, mid-way into the journey, we were
ambushed by the Nigerian Army who were fully armed. We were driving in convoy
in many buses. The Army men parked all the buses and demanded that we should
come down from the buses. They commenced thorough search of every member, we
obeyed and submitted ourselves to their request. Interestingly, they found
nothing incriminating in over one-hour search. All they found on us were Biafra
flags, posters, and fliers. After the search, they interrogated and pressed us
to reveal where we usually keep our Arms. We told them that we didn't
understand what they were talking about because IPOB doesn't carry guns or any
other weapon. They started bullying us and calling us Terrorists.
Next, the Army men started deliberation on what to do
with us. Some said they should seize our Sensitisation materials and turn us
back. Others said no, that we are Terrorists and should be taken to their
barracks. They finally agreed for the second option and we were escorted to
their Barracks.
At the Army
Barracks
As we arrived the barracks, we were greeted with many
fiercely armed military men scattered every corner waiting to receive the 140
Biafran Terrorists. As we stepped down from the buses, they were making jest of
us and our Director Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. They were calling us all sorts of
unprintable names and said by the time they are done with us, we will not have
a voice to mention IPOB in our lives. We kept calm and was just watching them
as they mocked and mocked. At some point we couldn't take the humiliation
anymore and we started replying them. We told them that we are not from the
Zoo, Nigeria is a Zoo, we are Biafrans! This got them infuriated and their Boss
walked in and calm the place. He warned against any form of maltreatment until
the day we leave.
Interrogation at
the Barracks
The Army commenced interrogation of each member. To their
shock when each member was asked his Country of Origin, the reply was "I
AM A BIAFRAN". They got confused. We told them that we denounced Nigeria
since 2015 with our Director Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. A second shocker came to them when
they asked each member his/her name and replies like this poured in: Mrs Ogechi
Biafra, Mr Odinaka Biafra, Mr Egwuatu Biafra, Mr Ikechukwu Biafra etc.
Frustration was written all over their faces and because they have been warned
against hurting us, they wrote our names in that manner.
23/05/19; Second
Day in Army barracks
The next day was 23rd May, 2019. They brought us food to
eat and bought us water to drink. After that, we were told that we were going
to be moved to the Magistrate Court.
23/05/19; Movement
to Court
The Army escorted us to the Magistrate Court in Enugu and
we were left under the excruciating sun for over 2 hours as the they were
preparing the documents before the Magistrate. When the Magistrate came out and
saw 140 of us under that condition, the aged men and women, the nursing
mothers, she was close to tears. She was moved to discharge us same day but in
a sharp twist, information from The State Governor advised her to remand us in
prison CUSTODY till after the 30th May Sit-At-Home event. We all pleaded NOT
GUILTY to the Treasonable Felony Charge preferred against each of us and the
case was adjourned to 07/06/19.
07/06/19; Second
Appearance at the Magistrate Court
All 140 members of IPOB were granted Bail without much trouble
and the processes of Meeting up to the bail conditions started immediately by
our strong and indefatigable Lawyer Barr. Tony Nwofor. By 14/06/19 all 140
members were out from the Prison.
Appreciation Note
I wish to appreciate the courage of the woman Magistrate
who did not allow herself to be used by the Zoo Government. Thanks to our Legal
Team headed by indefatigable Barr. Tony Nwofor who worked like a Lion all
through our stay.
Thanks to All State Media Team, they moved in Media Personnel
to Enugu and supported us with food and toiletries. They also did a great
publicity of our travail from day one till the end.
I appreciate, the Enugu State IPOB Family, the Welfare
Officer Mazi Chijioke and the Provost Mazi Joseph who were virtually with us
every second. I appreciate our Director Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for sending the
message of our ordeal to the world through Radio Biafra. I appreciate the
Family Writers press and Nwada Amarachi for her presence and publicity.
My deepest appreciation to my fellow Comrades, the 140
Biafrans that refused to be discouraged. We were resolute and in high spirits.
Even in the Prison, we sang BIAFRA songs and prayed fervently for Chukwuokike
Abiama to grant us BIAFRA.
God bless every IPOB Member that contributed in any way through
cash, prayers, advice or others.
IPOB!!!!!!!! One Family
BIAFRA restoration is imminent. There is no going back.
We must Continue.
Written by:
Mazi Odinaka Okafor
For: Enugu State Media
Edited by:
Ngozichukwu Ada-Dav
For: Enugu State Media
Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Enugu State Media
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