IPOB, the indigenous people of Biafra, warned on Thursday that until the national leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is released unconditionally from DSS detention, President Muhammadu Buhari’s intentions to secretly visit Ebonyi State will be met with opposition by youths in the South East geopolitical zone.
IPOB expressed disappointment that their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was detained by the DSS despite the fact that he had committed no crime, and promised that President Buhari will be greeted by empty streets during his visit to Ebonyi State.
The group stated this in a statement signed by Emma Powerful and made accessible to journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State’s capital, adding that youths in the South East zone will oppose any such visit.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has been drawn to President Muhammadu Buhari’s planned secret visit to Ebonyi State,” the statement reads in part. According to IPOB information, several APC politicians in the state are facilitating the secret visit.
“IPOB will not accept any visit both secret and open, by Buhari to Biafraland while our leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU is still in DSS custody. Our leader has to be released unconditionally before Buhari should contemplate any visit to Biafra land.
“Biafrans will lock down everywhere any day he ventures to visit Biafraland until he releases our leader. He will meet empty streets in Ebonyi or any part of Biafra he chooses to visit without releasing Nnamdi Kanu.
“Biafrans must be prepared to lock down our territory any day he comes here in our region. Buhari has shown that he doesn’t like us. Our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU cannot be in detention and we are welcoming Buhari in our region.
“Biafrans will sit at home any day he decides to come and mock us. He will know that the few politicians telling him lies about us don’t have control over the people. Should he decide to proceed with the planned visit, Ebonyi will be on lockdown,” the group stated.