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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reiterated that its members and residents of the South-East region should boycott commercial activities on Tuesday in remembrance of their fallen heroes who died four years ago.
According to the group, the sit-at-home is sacrosanct and to be observed as a peaceful protest for the remembrance of the victims of the military invasion of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s compound at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia on September 14, 2017.
About 28 people were reportedly killed during the raid by the Nigeria Army.
SaharaReporters had published on September 1 that IPOB declared September 14 as another sit-at-home day in the region, as disclosed in a statement signed by its Head, Directorate of Service, Mazi Chika Edoziem.
The statement partly read, "We recall very vividly the carnage of September 12 (in 2017) by the Nigerian Army which through its 'Operation Python Dance II' without any provocation and without any reason whatsoever invaded and occupied Biafraland humiliating, maiming and massacring our people.
"It is still fresh in our minds when on the 14th of September, these murderers and terrorists in army uniform went further to desecrate the traditional stool of the Afaraukwu Kingdom in Umuahia shooting and killing everything in sight, resulting in the cold blood murder of more than 38 Biafran youths and arrest of an unspecified number of Biafran men and women.
"Recall that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide has since 2018 set aside September 14 of every year as a day of civil disobedience in the whole of Biafraland.
"In accordance with the well established custom, September 14, 2021, is declared a sit-at-home in Biafraland."
In another statement by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Monday, the group insisted that the sit-at-home order will be observed tomorrow as a memorial of their people massacred by the Nigerian military men in 2017.
A copy of the statement titled, ‘September 14 Sit-At-Home Is In Honour Of Victims Of Military Raid Of Our Leader's Country Home – IPOB’ was obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday.
The statement read partly, “We the global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wish to remind all Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of Biafra freedom across the globe that the sit-at-home order issued by the IPOB leadership to be observed tomorrow, Tuesday, 14th of September 2021 is sacrosanct.
“The peaceful protest is for the remembrance of the victims of the genocidal invasion of our Leader's compound at Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia on the 14th of September 2017. No fewer than 28 innocent Biafrans were killed that day by the Nigeria Army during the raid.
“We advise all Biafrans both men and women to stay indoors tomorrow as a mark of honour to these fallen heroes and heroines. We must not fail to remember the supreme sacrifices of these great freedom seekers. Nothing done to honour them should be considered too much for they have watered the tree of Biafra freedom with their blood.
“Our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has also made a lot of sacrifices for the restoration of Biafra. So, all of us must be prepared to play our roles to accomplish this great task. Biafra independence is a mandate that we must live to accomplish.
“We won't be deterred by the killings of Biafra agitators by Nigeria compromised security agencies who cannot confront Fulani bandits and herdsmen rampaging the country. They derive pleasure in killing and torturing innocent people agitating for their freedom while fleeing from real terrorists.
“Despite the tacit support by the Fulani-controlled federal government, these jihadists chasing villages and other communities out from their ancestral lands cannot succeed in Biafra land. IPOB is well organised and prepared to repel them. They can continue with their false media propaganda to demoralise people from supporting IPOB but they know that our people now know better.”