Tension As MASSOB, IPOB Threaten Fulani Herdsmen.
- Jumai
- Mar 7, 2016
- 2 min read
Following the recent spates of attacks by Fulani herdsmen, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), in a joint statement with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), advised all Fulani herdsmen engaged in pastoral activities in “Biafraland” to go back to the north as their safety can no longer be guaranteed. In a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday, March 6, MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, hinted that the two bodies were working in conjunction to chase Fulani herdsmen which they referred to as “secret army” of the north.
''We can no longer tolerate the systematic killing of our people and invasion of our land in the name of cattle grazing. Seventy per cent of Fulani herdsmen in the eastern region are northern-trained secret army assigned for devastation and secret killing of Biafrans.
''MASSOB in collaboration with IPOB and other affiliates have vowed to protect Biafra land with enthusiastic spirit and motivation from foreign invaders in any disguise. As we have resolved to protect Biafra land, we warn Arewa secret army in disguise as Fulani herdsmen to concentrate on grazing with their cows as any further attack on our people shall be squarely returned,” the statement partly read.
Meanwhile, the MASSOB leader described President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on the futility of Biafra secession from Nigeria as the ranting of a frustrated man who has lost major focus on international/diplomatic politics. “The level of Biafra actualization has gone beyond Buhari’s imagination and comprehension. As long as Ndigbo and easterners in general live, Biafra can never be subdued by Nigeria. We advise the international community to ignore Buhari’s diplomatic propaganda against Biafra. “We will continue to toe the line of non-violence in our pursuit for Biafra and will not lower our guard to continue to press for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Ben Onwuka and other pro-Biafra detainees in prisons scattered all over the country''.
President Buhari had in an interview with Martine Dennis of Al Jazeera in Qatar said: “Looking for Biafra after two million people were killed, they are joking with the security and Nigeria won’t tolerate Biafra.” In response to Buhari’s remark, Emma Mmezu and Dr Clifford Iroanya, spokespersons of IPOB said that Biafra would also not tolerate Nigeria.
