“Having conquered Abakaliki successfully, the compassionate Biafra leader immediately diverted his normal route to search and extricate the stranded Biafrans...”
Okpanku is located in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, Biafra land. Although they share blood ties with the people of Mpu, they equally share same language and community accent and ancestry with the people of Isiagu and Akaeze, both in Ebonyi State.
Of course, one would have asked, what brought about the caption of this piece. The question does not sound any rhetoric, rather our people usually say that “a toad does not run in the day time in vain, unless something is pursuing it.”
After holding extensive sensitization rallies in Okpanku on the need for Biafra restoration, there had been an excellent and progressive voluntary registration of locals into IPOB since this year. It was barely two weeks after they had joined host of other Biafrans on a solidarity visit to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, at his Afaraukwu residence in Umuahia. They passion
had grown wild like the gale of the monsoon since after the courtesy visit.
It was on Monday, the 24th of July, 2017, that more than two hundred people with not less than twelve 18-seater buses, left Okpanku to receive the IPOB leader who had visited Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital. Also, among the group, were our brethren from Isiagu, Ebonyi state.
However, the surging crowd of these intrepid Biafrans made a beautiful sight before the hand-waving villagers who admired their resoluteness as they left. Unknown to them, was an unforseen obstacle ahead, and a possible sadness. Yet, they drove through Akaeze towards Abakaliki chanting Biafra freedom songs. Their hope and optimism soon dashed to the rocks, as they approached the Nigerian police right in their front, ahead of them. They had almost driven into Abakaliki when these set of policemen hindered and held them to a standstill at Ikwo road. That was sad indeed!
Agents of the Nigeria Police Force, confiscated their Biafra themed flags, caps, bangles, mufflers, veils, shirts and all materials branded in Biafran colours were seized from them. It is very paramount to note that all the materials symbolizing patriotism to the Biafra struggle was forcefully snatched from them at gunpoint.
More than 30 policemen masterminded this nefarious act with impunity. Each of them clutched an AK47 assault rifles in their hands, only to intimidate and humiliate innocent and harmless Biafrans. The unconscionable security operatives tried, but the ever fearless and resolute Biafrans resisted strenuous efforts to get them dragged to the police station. At that juncture, both the Corps and the ever undaunted Biafrans remained trapped and motionless.
It might interest you to know, that despite all the unnecessary and irrational provocation on the part of the Police, the hostage-held Biafrans continued to chant Biafra freedom songs fearlessly loud and wild even at gunpoint. At this point, the now exasperated policemen felt emotionally disarmed, though feigning ignorance of their bravery. Nevertheless, we are not oblivious to the fact that the secret of the mouth is first known by the chewing stick.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had arrived at Abakaliki and the whole city basked with the glory and euphoria of the wind of Biafra. But he had not been aware that his people from Okpanku had been held stationary at Ikwo road. Over here in Enugu, Ikenna Obasi, an indigene of Okpanku and family member of IPOB in the State, received distress calls from the marooned Biafrans. He extended the call to the Coordinator, and subsequently to our formidable information manager, Mr. Gabriel Harley Chijioke who mobilized the media team into work, until the social media was saturated with the sudden news. Many calls were made, until the report of the unpleasant situation spread widely. That was the real meaning of "Onurube nwanne agbana oso".
These virulent policemen held our brothers and sisters hostage from 7 O'clock in the morning till evening. Many of them had not even broken their fast. It was by the special Grace of God, that the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, got wind of the situation through the efforts of the Enugu State Media.
Having conquered Abakaliki successfully, the compassionate Biafra leader immediately diverted his normal route to search and extricate the stranded Biafrans from the grips of their villainous and malicious captors. It was reliably gathered that more than 30 Hilux vans accompanied Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the scene of the hostage captivity at Ikwo road and demanded for their immediate release.
Nnamdi Kanu disembarked from his customized vehicle, beholden a large, surging crowd of people numbering over two hundred and there was a great joy and excitement at the spot, at the wave of the crowd. Songs went high, while sadness disappeared like the rays of a dying yellow sun. Kanu who majestically approached the troublesome and overzealous policemen, cautioned them seriously.
Among the crowd, was an old woman from Okpanku, well-stricken in age, yet summoned the strength to join the expedition. On sighting the old woman, Kanu had compassion on her and enquired about her wellbeing in the local dialect, “Mama kedu ka imere?” and she responded, “O di mma, ndi Uwe Oji nara m ichafu Biafra nkere n'isi”. She was complaining that the corps had seized the Biafra veil she had tied on her head. This apparently got Kanu enraged and he shouted to the police in outburst, “You're extremely wicked, you did not have mercy on this old woman, you held all of them since morning.”
Kanu then turned to the crowd of Biafrans and asked, “what did they take from you?” and they narrated. He then ordered the operatives to return immediately whatever they have collected from them before he closed and opened his eyes. The Policemen immediately returned all the items which was verified in Kanu's presence, to be complete. He distributed the materials to the owners until none was left. He then issued a stern warning to the Police to stay away from Biafrans.
In reaction, the Policemen apologized that they worked according to instruction handed to them by their superior. Kanu asked them, “where is your Oga?” and the response was that, “he ran to China.” Kanu retorted that he did not run to China but hiding in one of the villages. And the onlookers giggled at the shy countenance of the Policemen who felt embarrassed by their actions.
Finally, he ordered the now released Biafrans to get into their vehicles and follow him. Kanu led them to Akaeze and bade goodbye at them, before making a headway, in full speed, to his destination.
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