The Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF ) has said the Federal Government was trying to intimidate its members from carrying out their plans to declare Biafra Republic on May 30 by deploying fighter jets in the zone .
It declared that no amount of fighter jets deployed against the zone would stop the group from announcing Biafra and occupying the Enugu State Government House , which it said , was the designated headquarters of Biafra on May 30 .
The Guardian learnt that air surveillance by the joint patrol of Army and Police had increased in the zone since Monday ; fuelling fears of possible clashes in the event of security breaches .
BZF leader, Mazi Benjamin Onwuka , told journalists in Enugu that the group was prepared to face any kind of security apparatuses that may be deployed to frustrate the exercise .
He called on Biafrans to assemble at the Enugu Government House on May 30, asking Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to steer clear of controversy “ by vacating office before that date . ”
He said already the , “ fighter jets deployed for that purpose are hovering everywhere in Enugu State and southeast. The agenda is simple , to intimidate and instill fear in us and in our members .
“ But , we want to make it clear that we cannot be intimidated; that era is gone. Should anything happen to any of our members on that day all those involved will pay dearly for it .
“ Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari are already in panic . You can see them flying fighter jets all over . This is intimidation . They have failed, ” he said .
Onwuka equally said his group expects “ all Biafrans to observe a public holiday on May 30, adding : “Nigeria will not escape independence of Biafra on May 30th , if they arrest us , they have dug their hole . If they don’ t arrest us , the announcement will be made .