IPOB to FG: release detained Biafrans in secret cells

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alerted the world “of the continued and illegal detention of Biafrans by the Nigeria security agencies”.

The group expressed anger that the victims are kept incommunicado in various secret cells.

IPOB in a statement on Tuesday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said: “We have just discovered that some of the Biafra agitators abducted by the Nigerian police were kept incommunicado in a secret cell at the Mopol Base, and the State CID Command, Bende Road, Umuahia, Abia State.

“Since six months ago when these innocent Biafrans were abducted, we have been searching for them until now that we have discovered where they were hidden.

“Some of the victims include: Mazi Friday Ezegbulam a.k.a Nkuwasi who was picked at Umudike junction; Mazi Chamaroke Onwuka, a retired police officer who was picked up in his office along Bende Road Umuahia; and about 35 others arrested mostly in Aba.

IPOB callied on men and women of concience across the globe to take record of the atrocities of Nigerian security agents, and to prevail on the Nigerian Government to release the arrested Biafrans unconditionally.”

IPOB suggested that the victims be charged to court instead of keeping them in detention indefinitely without trial.

The group also called on the Abia State Governor and his officials to ensure that the victims are either released or charged to court without further delay.

It added: “They have suffered enough, and their continued detention without trial will no longer be tolerated.

“The Nigeria law recommends that a suspect be charged to court within 24 hours. But the Nigeria security agencies have the penchant of flaunting the laws once Biafra is involved. They are scared of bandits and terrorists but derive pleasure in killing and torturing peaceful Biafran agitators.”