BRAC to IPOB: Attacks on our communities provocative, unacceptable

 

Bayelsa /Rivers/Akwa Ibom /Cross Rivers (BRAC) coastal aborigines have warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to leave their communities, saying the attacks on their communities are provocative and unacceptable. 

According to BRAC, the last couple of weeks witnessed the invasion, harassment, raping and killing of innocent citizens, and disruption of peace and socio-economic activities in the coastal territory by IPOB activists.

A statement issued by General Coordinator, Doris Mcdaniels, said the attacks first berthed sometime last year at Oyigbo and the Port Harcourt areas of BRAC territory, following the direct instruction of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu through incessant, inflammatory radio broadcast.

“Recently, in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom state, wanton destruction of properties, raping, killings and total institution of anarchy was enacted in some communities there, hence paralysing the socio-economic life of our people.

“In the last few days, Omuma, Elele, Omagwa and Abua Odual areas of Rivers State were visited, leaving a trail of tears, blood and horrific killings. All the unprovoked violence was not necessary.

“These attacks on BRAC territory are provocative, totally unacceptable and highly condemnable. These are likely acts to lead to another angle that will affect cordial relationship and peaceful cohabitation between the coastal minorities and the Igbo.

“It should be noted that our traditional fathers, leaders and the generality of our people have severally and at one time or the other distanced our people and territory from IPOB and their Biafra dream State. We are not Igbo. We are a completely distinct set of people in character, culture and all, from the Igbo,” the statement said. 

The group said it is annoying and very offensive for the Igbo to continue to assume their territory as part of their dream nation.

“We consider such posture of greed and annexation an insult, overbearing and disdainful arrogance. We hereby put it to them that their oppression, killings, dominance and disruption of the lives of our people during the erstwhile Eastern Region of Nigeria ended on 27th May, 1967, Fifty Four years ago, when South Eastern and Rivers States were created following decades of perpetual agitations and protests from our ancestors and forebears, under the umbrella of Various Minority States Agitators and COR State Movement, to be delineated from the Igbo into a separate State. COR represents Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers Provinces.

“As a warning, therefore, let them note that their investments in our territory could be preliminary target. Would they in all honesty have allowed our people own stalls or shops in Onitsha or Ariaria markets? But we have been magnanimous to reabsorb the Igbo back to our BRAC States despite their brutal attack on us. IPOB should not allow old wounds to reopen,” Mcdaniels added.

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