A Pro-Biafran group, Biafra De Facto Customary Government, BDFCG, has strongly condemned the threats of violence and intimidation against residents in Biafraland, particularly people of Enugu State, by a splinter group of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), calling on the group to immediately cease its violent and unlawful activities, and to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve its grievances.
In a press statement obtained by BVI Correspondent in Awka, the group said though it recognizes that civil disobedience often emerges as a response to deep-rooted grievances and frustrations within society, resorting to violence and intimidation as means of enforcing compliance is not only counterproductive, but also unjust.
The statement signed by BDFCG Spokesperson, Prosper Odinga, urged the IPOB splinter group to exercise restraint and seek peaceful avenues to address grievances, consider nonviolent methods of protest, engage in meaningful dialogue, as well as work towards finding lasting solutions to the issues at hand.
It noted that the sit-at-home order being enforced in the Southeast has lost its moral high ground and led to a breakdown of social order, saying it is because the order “strayed from its nonviolent nature and devolved into violence, destruction of property and harm to innocent people”.
BDFCG however called on the government and law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety and security of people, adding that it is through constructive dialogue and inclusive engagement that challenges facing Biafra people can be addressed, and a more just and prosperous future for all achieved.
In solidarity with the people of Biafra in Nigeria, the group expressed deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones or suffered harm as a result of the ill-advised approaches by criminals masquerading as freedom fighters, and expressed commitment to advocating peace, justice and respect for rights of people in Nigeria and around the world.
Read the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
Condemnation of threats of violence and intimidation in Biafra, particularly this time in Enugu
Date: Tues, Aug 22, 2023
1. We strongly condemn the threats, violence and intimidation against the residents in Biafraland, particularly this time at Enugu, first capital of the Republic of Biafra.
It is being alleged that this violence and intimidation are being melted by so called deviant Biafran freedom fighters and our available intelligent report seemed to confirm that. These violence that are threatening the daily livelihoods of our citizens continue to metamorphose: from UGM, counterfeit civil disobedience tagged “sit at-home to unregulated security outfits.
2. We recognize that civil disobedience often emerges as a response to deep-rooted grievances and frustrations within society. However, resorting to violence and intimidation as a means of enforcing compliance is not only counterproductive but also aberration of the civility which Biafra represents in the comity of nations.
3. We urge all Biafrans – her various shadow and de facto governments, Igbo organisations, friends and well wishers to seek peaceful avenues for addressing this menace that tends enrooted in Biafraland in the name of political liberation in a meaningful dialogue, and work towards finding lasting solutions.
4. We do hereby express our hearted solidarity to Biafrans, friends and well wishers, particularly to all the victims of this abominable actions.
5. We express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones or suffered harm as a result of the ill-advised approaches by criminals masquerading as freedom fighters.
We remain committed to putting a stop on all this distractive menace.
Biafra restoration stands on the pillars of peace, justice, and the respect for human rights.
Prosper Odinga
Spokesperson, BDFCG
Phone: +1917 3465419
Email: biafradefactogov@gmail.com