The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has condemned the incessant harassment, arrest and illegal detention of their members in different prisons and secret cells across the country.
IPOB head of media and publicity, Emma Powerful, in a statement on Monday, said “the illegal detention of Bright Chimezie Ishinwa in DSS secret cell without traces, those in Igweocha prisons and those in the state CID headquarters Igweocha languishing and others are becoming of much worry and concern”.
IPOB said it expected the Nigerian Government and security agencies to do the needful either to release those arrested on bail or charge them to court without further delay “if they are still alive in their custody”.
The statement added that: “The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on 6th February 2017 declared IPOB as a legal organization but the Nigerian Police and other security agencies who does not know the law are busy breaking the law by continuing targeting the peaceful members of IPOB.
“On the 15th April 2017, the DPO of Umuebulu police station (Superintendent of police) SP Mary Iheanacho ordered the kidnapp of IPOB members who were doing evangelism for the restoration of ancient nation of Biafra in Umuebulu 1 Etche in Etche LGA of River state.
“The peaceful evangelism of IPOB family members were held on the 2nd of April 2017 there was no arrest or kidnap until 15th April 2017 the DPO ordered for the kidnap of the IPOB members in the community.
“The IPOB members in the community searched for the members who were kidnapped only could locate one Mr Victor Ogiebe under the custody of SP Mary Iheanacho while others were not seen since five days now.
“Therefore, we are calling on international community the European Union EU, African Union AU, all the relevant Human Rights Organizations, Men and Women of good conscience around the globe to prevail upon the Nigeria government and security agencies to stop harassing, intimidating IPOB members and release those detained illegally in different prisons and secret cells across the country because they didn’t commit crime against Nigeria state or humanity”.
