The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to release the 76 boys arrested by soldiers at Umuneshi, Awgu in Enugu State, for protesting against the abduction of two women by Fulani herdsmen in their community last week .
IPOB said the youths were detained by some soldiers who later handed them over to the Police at Zone 9 Headquarters, Umuahia in neighbouring Abia State, adding that their detention was proof that the Fulani believed that Nigeria belonged to them.
The organisation gave this ultimatum in a statement jointly signed by its spokesmen, Mr Emma Mmezu and Dr Clifford Iroanya. They said that Ndigbo had had enough of Fulani brutality and raw show of power, warning of the dire consequences of their non-release within three days from yesterday.
The statement read in part, “The raw show of power and bravado by Fulani herdsmen at Umuneshi, Awgu Community in Enugu State just cannot be accepted by any civilized society.
“First, the ever recalcitrant Fulani marauders abducted two women on their way to the farm. All entreaties to release the two women fell on deaf ears. The youths of the community mobilized to free their women, but the Fulani warriors informed their kinsmen at the military bases in the neigbouring Abia State.
“The soldiers stormed the community, beat up and arrested all 76 youths, bundled them to zone 9, ordered them charged and remanded in prison without as much as allowing them to make statements.
“As at today (yesterday), the 76 youth remain locked up and the two women remain missing as Fulani supremacy reigns. The brutal show of power and arrogant display of we own Nigeria demonstrated by the Fulani is not only nauseating but despicable.
“Their godfather and guardian angel at the Aso villa is most probably grinning with glee at this powerful statement of his kinsmen as to who are masters and who are servants in Nigeria today.
“When you add this to the brazen arrogance of display of Fulani republic flags in Ohafia, Abia State, and the provocative flying of Fulani flags in Agatu Benue State, Eket, Akwa Ibom, and many other places, the IPOB is convinced that the battle of total annihilation has been brought to our door steps by the avowed enemies of peace.
“Accordingly, the IPOB is hereby giving President Muhamadu Buhari 72 hours beginning from 6pm, Tuesday, March 29, 2016, to release the 76 youths of Umeneshi Community, Awgu, together with the two women earlier abducted by the Fulani fighters.” (Vanguard)
