The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has commended the leadership
of the Nigerian Senate as well as the caucus of South-eastern senators
for their position on the proscription of the group.
A statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, argued that, “Mass
execution of members of IPOB would have commenced under the cover of
Operation Python Dance II, if not for the quick intervention of the
Senate President and his colleagues from the South-East”.
The group pledged to co-operate with any commission of inquiry or
panel set up by the Senate to ascertain what truly transpired before,
during and after the Operation Python Dance II.
The statement reads;
“That South-East lawmakers refused to be cowed
into submission to tag IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a
terrorist and unlawful organisation should be applauded by all lovers of
freedom around the world. It represents the triumph of freedom of
speech and association over tyranny, brute force and dictatorial
tendencies.
“Having demonstrated this rare courage in the face of overwhelming
tyranny and oppression, we, the IPOB members would gladly welcome any
fact finding mission the lawmakers may consider necessary under the
circumstance.
“Without prejudicing the outcome of this or any other Senate inquiry,
we see this as a welcome opportunity to demonstrate to all and sundry
that IPOB was never, can never and will never bear arms against anybody
or state. This is a golden opportunity for Nigerian lawmakers to
ascertain the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.“We strongly urge the National Assembly to investigate the activities
of IPOB thoroughly because we have nothing to fear. They should also
look into the recent killings of unarmed civilian populations in
Afaraukwu Umuahia and Aba in the on-going military occupation of
Biafraland.
“We are also calling on the United Nation UN, European Union EU,
African Union AU, ECOWAS, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch,
USA, Israel, Russia, Britain, Germany, France, and other relevant human
rights to probe IPOB and thoroughly investigate the on-going killings of
unarmed and innocent civilians”.