Enugu residents observe partial sit-at-home order as Police deny arrest of BZF leader

RESIDENTS of Enugu, the Enugu State capital on Wednesday observed partial sit-at-home ordered by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to commemorate all those who died in Biafra struggle.

Nigerian Tribune who went round Enugu metropolis observed that there was almost total compliance between 6 am and 7 am as many people were apprehensively prompting them to remain indoors apparently to avoid confrontation with the separatists, despite police assurance that they would be protected.

However, civil servants went to their offices at their regulatory time while at 10 am, many people including traders and artisans started coming out from their residential houses for their normal businesses.

It was also observed that the publicized declaration of an independent state of Biafra by the Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) led by Benjamin Onwuka fixed for May 30, this year did not take place after all.

Onwuka had earlier in May called for a mass return of Ndigbo to Igbo land, saying the flag of an independent state of Biafra would be hosted by him at Government House, Enugu on the said day.

But when Tribune Online visited Government House, Enugu on Wednesday, normal activities were going on with security checks at the premises moving smoothly.

Onwuka, a United States of America based lawyer, had disclosed that from May 30, the nation’s political activities would be banned in Biafra land, adding that there would be no more observance of Muslim festivities and holidays in Biafra enclave.

“It is going to be at the Enugu Government House; Biafra will raise its flag there. It will not be in the secret, everybody will see it. I’m making an appeal to our people wherever they are to return home, I will not force anybody to come back home but they should heed this call, America is already behind us”, the Zionists Leader had told reporters in Enugu.

Meanwhile, the Police authorities have denied arresting Onwuka even as a source alleged that the Igbo Activist was picked up by the law enforcement agents at 7 am on Wednesday while he was marching to hoist Biafra flag at Government House, Enugu.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu in a telephone interview with Nigerian Tribune reporter said he had no information as to the arrest of the pro-Biafra leader.

“I am not aware that the police arrested Benjamin Onwuka. I will try to find out the true position and get back to you. However, the Police will continue to maintain peace and order. We will not allow any person or group of persons to cause a breach of peace in the state. We are alive to our responsibilities,” he added.

In a similar development, another pro-Biafra group which called itself as “The Biafra National Guard” said in a statement that it has officially launched Biafran Transitional Government (BTG), pointing out that the sit at home is a mark of respect and acceptance of the government of Biafra by the people.

Spokesman to the military wing of the group, “Colonel” Nsikak Apkan, said re-inaugurated Biafran Supreme Military Council of Administration (BSMCA) would continue to oversee the Biafran Transitional Government affairs pending when emerged leader of Biafra National Guard (BNG) shall make a live broadcast and speech to unveil their Chief of Staff, foreign allies and government machinery.

Apkan in the press statement revealed that the unveiling of the new government was for effective and speedy restoration of Biafra.

“And following the review of Biafran Shadow Government; Biafra National Guard at the end of the four days summit at their Nsukka-Enugu military barrack brought to an end Biafra Shadow Government which was launched March 18, 2009,” he said.

Apkan noted that on 30th of May every year was a day people of Biafra chose to sit at home in memory of their loved ones who died in the act of genocide perpetrated by Nigeria government.

According to BTG Spokesman, “Transitional Government is to be headed or overseen by the Biafra Supreme Military Council of Administration (BSMCA) according to him, this government is the last lap of the Biafra Provincial Government (BPG) that would lead the people of Biafra into sovereign or elected government.

He noted, ‘launching Biafran Transitional Government; the people of Biafra make neither war, nor peace, with the state or people of Nigeria, rather, we exercise a Natural right, a Popular right, a Political right, and a right supported by United Nations Organization Charter and International Laws- the right to Self-determination.”

“The decision to launch Biafra Transitional Government is strictly according to the revered roadmap to Biafra in accordance with the Biafran Charter as launched and approved on 30th May 2007 by the leaders and peoples of Biafra in Diaspora and Territory of Biafra. This is the last Government on the Biafra Charter that shall usher in the elected Government of Biafra,” he added.