Biafra is not a new name in the Eastern region of Nigeria, it is a name that reminisced Nigeria’s bloody civil war fought between 1967-1970. This was independent multi-ethnic Republic consisting of the Igbo, Efik, Ibibio and Ijaw peoples and other ethnic groups who found recognition within this confine, and was declared by Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Republic of Biafra. The Federal Republic of Nigeria never liked the idea of independent state of Biafra and did everything to preserve the unity of the country when people are advocating for secession, to bring about the man- Nnamdi Kanu who breathes life into it again.
This has been a long-term interest by the people who considered themselves part of Biafra to break away from Nigeria, MASSOB [ Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra] was active in the early 2000s, pioneered by its national leader, Ralph Uwazuruike. The group lost its strong because internal crisis over leadership of the group, Uwazuruike was accused of associating himself with “mainstream Nigeria politics” instead of advocating for the cause of Biafra. BZM [ Biafra Zionist Movement] prominent in 2012, the leader Benjamin Igwe Onwuka along with the members of the group were arrested for treason by Nigeria government at a rally that took place on 5 November 2012 in Enugu.
IPOB still furthering the cause of Biafra came with a new leader. This group was founded by Nnamdi Kanu in 2012, who holds a dual citizenship of Britain and Nigeria. Mr. Kanu since Buhari administration has been one of the most discussed people in Nigeria. Kanu was outspoken about what he believed to be hidden agenda of Fulani ethnic group requesting land for their cattle ranching which was popular RUGA saga, in a way of leading another jihad and forcefully take away indigenous people’s ancestral land.
Kanu made his opinion heard through his London based radio station- Radio Biafra which one of the means of passing firsthand information to his supporters, he instructed the south-east governors to pass a law that will band open grazing, on the process ESN [ Eastern Security Network] was midwifed to protect people from attacks of Fulani herdsmen who are very perilous and committing mayhem, making farming uncomfortable to the farm owners.
Nnamdi Kanu has been arrested by Nigeria government on occasions, and spent a year in prison without trail and after he was granted bail on conditions, which he flirted and left the country. His recent arrest by Kenyan officials raised a big eyebrow, especially on the legality and jurisdiction of the actions. Since his arrest there have been a solitary Mondays in south-east zone as a mark for sit-at-home as his supporters demand his appearance after alleged dangerous condition under DSS, he appeared on 21 October 2021 in court for count of charges bordered on terrorism and treasonable felony, court adjourned to continue hearing on 10 November 2021.
IPOB has been linked with a secessionist group in Cameroon- Ambazonia Defense Forces [ADF] they have deemed to form military and strategic alliance. Kanu has rose to the prominence over a couple of years, although the Federal government is not making it easy for the man who is from Abia State, one of the states in south-east zone. Buhari administration has seen groups demanding to secede over alleged preferred treatment on one ethnic group, Sunday Igboho advocating for Yoruba Nation [ Oduduwa Republic], and south-west established security outfit- Amotekun to fight insecurity in the zone.
Nnamdi Kanu has shown a great resilience in this struggle for his supporters to likened him with Nelson Mandela ‘the great Madiba’ the man notable for fighting apartheid in South Africa, spent 27 years in prison- the famous Robin Island on course of liberating his people from the shackles of apartheid then in South Africa, for this he became a continental hero for Africa. Mr. Kanu has lost his parents on the course of actualization his vision for Biafra, a force that will continue to press him closer to this.
