Following the recent killing of members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)- the Organisation of Emerging African States (OEAS), on Friday, issued a statement decrying the killings.

The group, which aims at promoting self governance among African countries and ending neo-colonial rule, stated that the in the face of the attack on unarmed IPOB, the secessionist group should defend themselves by whatever means.

The statement, which was signed by Dr. Ebenezer Derek Mbongo Akwanga, Jnr, Secretary General, and Dr. Jonathan Levy, Chief Administrative Officer of OEAS, reads in part:

“As a result of the extrajudicial slayings of dozens of unarmed Biafran protesters by the Nigerian military these past two months in at least three well documented incidents and the detention of scores of others, the OEAS calls for the formation of Biafra self-defense units to protect peaceful demonstrators and independence advocates.

“Nigeria has rejected calls by the OEAS to release all Biafran prisoners including Nnamdi Kanu and Benjamin Onwuka. Nigeria has also refused to consider a peaceful referendum on the future of Biafra and the stand down of its armed forces in Biafra. Particularly, disappointing was the recent meeting of Nigerian President Buhari with European Union officials at which the pleas of Nmandi Kanu went unaddressed by Buhari. Previously the OEAS had requested EU High Representative Mogherini use her good offices to facilitate a settlement. Ultimately, both Buhari and the EU have failed to address the Biafra issue in good faith.

“In the absence of international support or remedy, Biafran patriots have no choice but to mobilize for self-defense or face extermination. The Nigerian government has transferred battled hardened Muslim troops from the Boko Haram front to Biafra with shoot to kill orders. There has also been increased activity by the Nigerian Department of State Security (DSS) with informants and infiltrators targeting Biafra independence groups and preparations for mass arrests.

“The OEAS advises that independence minded people follow the lead of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other reliable groups that are currently forming units to protect demonstrators from attack and independence advocates from summary arrest and torture.

“It is the firm position of the OEAS that the Biafran people cannot be denied their destiny which is an internationally recognized referendum on independence.”

Mazi Emeka