Onitsha Main Market: Soludo wants to foment insecurity, sabotage Biafra struggle – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, of intentionally trying to create instability in order to undermine the 'peaceful' pursuit for Biafra's independence.

IPOB made this statement through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in response to the presence of armored vehicles and heavily armed law enforcement officers enforcing the closure of the Onitsha Main Market on Tuesday.

Governor Soludo had mandated the market's closure for a week after traders did not open their stores on Monday, adhering to the sit-at-home directive in the South-East region.

Additionally, the governor cautioned that if traders do not resume operations by the following Monday, the market would face a closure of one month.

IPOB rejected Soludo’s order, urging traders to open their businesses on Tuesday. However, the governor dispatched law enforcement to ensure compliance with the market closure.

Challenging Soludo’s actions, IPOB accused him of infringing on human rights and democratic values. The pro-Biafra organization claimed that law enforcement shot live rounds at the merchants who were protesting.

They cautioned that the activation of security forces could yield adverse outcomes, threatening the safety of innocent civilians.

The statement indicated, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the sacred leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, firmly denounces the brutal and unwarranted actions of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, who has unleashed unruly military and law enforcement personnel on harmless traders and demonstrators in Onitsha.

“In a clear breach of human rights and democratic norms, these forces have opened live fire on peaceful protesters exercising their right to dissent against the governor's harsh enforcement of sit-at-home orders.

“This unfortunate event serves as a grim reminder of how the Nigerian authorities frequently instigate violent outbreaks only to falsely blame them on IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“We urge all conscientious Nigerians, human rights advocates, and the global community to promptly admonish Governor Soludo, and to warn the Nigerian police and military to refrain from discharging live rounds into gatherings of defenseless civilians.

“These aggressive tactics not only threaten lives but also worsen the very insecurity that they profess to combat. By permitting himself to be exploited by oppressors, Governor Soludo has stained his hands with the blood of his constituents.

“This is not a form of governance; rather, it constitutes state-sponsored terrorism aimed at undermining the genuine aspirations of the Biafran populace.

“IPOB is dedicated to a peaceful approach and a negotiated resolution that leads to a democratic vote on self-determination—an aim for which our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is unjustly imprisoned.

“We encourage all demonstrators to maintain peace, abide by the law, and stand firm amid provocation. Violence is not the way forward; it is a tool for those intimidated by the truth and the people's determination.

“The liberation of Biafra is drawing closer, as foretold by our fearless leader. He stated: “If I must travel to Sokoto, the heart of the Caliphate, to secure Biafra’s freedom from our oppression, then I will do it.”