The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday stage rallies to demonstrate solidarity with United States President, Donald Trump.
Three South-East states—Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi—hosted the “Trump solidarity rally.”
Recall that during Trump’s first term as president of the United States, IPOB members also organised protests to show their support. During the Trump solidarity rally in Port Harcourt in 2017, a few IPOB members were killed in a confrontation with soldiers.
The most recent demonstration follows allegations made by the Nigerian government that IPOB followers are responsible for the country’s purported Christian genocide narrative, which had a significant impact on President Trump’s choice to declare Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The US attacks on terrorist camps in North-West Nigeria on Christmas Day were also motivated by the claim of Christian genocide. In reaction to the purported murder of Christians in Nigeria, Trump had threatened military action.
In the meantime, attendees at Tuesday’s Trump solidarity event demanded Nnamdi Kanu’s release, according to a statement from IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful.
Nnamdi Kanu was found guilty of terrorism charges brought by the Nigerian government, and he is currently receiving a life sentence. Kanu’s defence team and IPOB have criticised the agitator’s conviction, calling it unlawful.
The statement read, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the global family of Biafrans wish to inform the general public and the international community that a Trump Solidarity Rally and peaceful march was held today, 20 January, across three locations in the South-East—Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states.
“Youths, women, and elders came out in large numbers to peacefully demonstrate in solidarity and in remembrance of our people who were brutally killed exactly nine years ago during the first inauguration of President Donald Trump, when Nigerian soldiers—acting under the directives of the then ruling APC-led government—opened fire on unarmed Biafran demonstrators.
“Despite the ongoing and relentless pogrom in Biafraland, and the atmosphere of intimidation, persecution and insecurity deliberately imposed on the South-East, Biafrans continue to defy fear and oppression to affirm one truth: a people determined to be free cannot be permanently subdued. The resolve of Biafrans to live as free people in the land of their ancestors remains unbroken.
“During the peaceful rally, participants carried placards, banners and photographs of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and renewed their demand for his immediate and unconditional release, insisting that his continued detention remains a major catalyst for tension and instability.
“The rallying crowd also called for an independent inquiry into the Port Harcourt killings and the wider, worsening insecurity ravaging the South-East, stressing that truth, accountability and justice are indispensable to peace.”
IPOB reiterated that all its activities remain peaceful and lawful.
“We urge the security agencies to respect the fundamental rights of citizens to peaceful assembly, and we call on the international community to take urgent interest in the deteriorating human rights situation in the South-East of Nigeria,” the statement added.
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