The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has banned the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day across the South-East region. In a statement issued on Monday, the group declared that anyone participating in events to mark the national holiday would be considered an enemy of the region.
IPOB urged the Igbo people to either go about their regular activities or stay at home, but they must avoid any participation in celebrating Nigeria’s independence. The separatist group emphasized that while the Igbo were instrumental in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence, the union with Nigeria has brought more harm than good to the Igbo people.
“The Directorate of State of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra wishes to remind Biafrans at home and in the diaspora that the ban on the celebration of the Zoo Nigeria’s annual October 1st Independence Day by Biafrans is still in force,” IPOB stated.
The group reiterated that they do not recognize Nigeria’s Independence Day, which they refer to as “British-flag independence,” because they believe it has led to more suffering and bloodshed for the Igbo community. “We are not part of Nigeria and have nothing to do with their British-flag independence of 1960,” IPOB added.
Although IPOB acknowledged the role prominent Igbo figures played in securing Nigeria’s independence in 1960, they stressed that the independence had cost more Igbo lives than any other ethnic group in the country. “Such independence has taken more blood of Ndigbo to maintain than that of any other ethnic group in Nigeria,” the group said.
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IPOB also reaffirmed their commitment to the creation of an independent Biafra state, which they believe will be a united and prosperous entity. “Biafrans have decided to reject the bloody flag independence of Nigeria and work for the restoration of a truly united and prosperous independent State of Biafra,” IPOB declared.
The group called on the Igbo people to reject Nigeria’s forced unity and to avoid participating in any Independence Day activities, including flying the Nigerian flag. They stressed that schools should not organize any celebrations for the holiday. “There shall be no independence activity for students in Biafraland,” IPOB warned, urging families to use the day for rest or quality time if they choose not to work.
“Parents and guardians must not allow their children to attend any Nigerian independence activities tomorrow,” the statement continued, as IPOB made it clear that they would be monitoring compliance across the region. “As an Igbo parent, do not allow your children to be sacrificed for a country that considers them less than human.”