IPOB ready to negotiate Biafra referendum with FG - Spokeman
The Indigenous People of Biafra has announced that it is now prepared to negotiate with the Federal Government on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a referendum supervised by the United Nations.
The pro-Biafran group asserted that the peaceful agitation for Biafra's independence began in 2012 without the use of violence or criminal activity, but the Federal Government has continued to attack its members.
On Saturday, the group's spokesperson, Emma Powerful, issued a statement to the press stating this.
According to Powerful, IPOB has lost over 5,000 members and over $1 billion worth of property due to the excessive use of force by the Nigerian security forces.
The statement read, "We, the global family and movement of IPOB, wish to reiterate that IPOB remains nonviolent and open to negotiations and dialogue on Biafra's peaceful exit from Nigeria via a UN-supervised referendum.
"In 2012, IPOB began its peaceful campaign for Biafra's independence." In all of our years of protests and rallies, IPOB has never been linked to violence or criminality. Nevertheless, the Federal Government's security forces have declared war on IPOB. At numerous locations in Biafra Land, Nigerian security forces have brutally assaulted our members who were engaged in peaceful protests.
"As a result of these unjustified attacks, many IPOB members have been slain in cold blood, some have been permanently disabled, some have been forcibly removed by the security forces, and some are still unlawfully detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.
The Nigerian security forces have burned the homes and businesses of numerous IPOB members and sympathisers. The Nigeria Security Forces' excessive use of force has resulted in the loss of over 5,000 IPOB members and over $1 billion value of property. IPOB has never retaliated and has never taken up arms against the Nigerian State, despite all provocation.
"IPOB supports harmony. We support dialogue and we support discussions. IPOB was founded on the principle of facilitating the peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two separate countries.
"The events from 1948 to 2023 have demonstrated that Biafra and Nigeria cannot practically coexist as one nation. IPOB has been requesting discussions with the Nigerian government regarding a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigerian government has always responded with violent suppression.
According to UN law, we have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right.
The group insisted that it remains committed to peacefully pursing self-determination in accordance with international law and regulations.
