TheCable

The proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) says it is ready to negotiate with the federal government over a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria.

IPOB is asking for a United Nations supervised referendum to extricate Biafra from Nigeria.

Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesperson, announced the development in a statement on Saturday.

Powerful said the agitation for a Biafra nation under IPOB began in 2012 without violence or criminality.

He said IPOB has lost over 5,000 members and property worth over $1 billion as a result of the extreme use of force by Nigeria’s security agencies.

“We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN supervised Referendum,” the statement reads.

“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests.

“Nevertheless, Federal Government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB.

“Our members have been brutally attacked while on peaceful protest by the Nigeria security forces at many locations in Biafra Land.

“As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully taken away by the security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.

“Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and businesses burnt by the Nigeria security forces.

“IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria Security Forces.

“Irrespective of all the provocations, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigerian State.”

Powerful added that IPOB has always advocated for a peaceful separation through dialogue.

“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations.

“The events from 1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and Nigeria to coexist as one nation.

“IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always returns the peaceful call with violent suppression.

“We have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws.”