The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed its readiness to engage in negotiations with the Federal Government of Nigeria for the peaceful exit of Biafra through a United Nations-supervised referendum, News About Nigeria reports.
IPOB, a pro-Biafran group, emphasised its commitment to peaceful means of achieving Biafra’s independence.
In a press statement released by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, IPOB highlighted that its peaceful agitation for Biafra’s independence commenced in 2012 without resorting to violence or criminal activities.
Despite this, the Federal Government has allegedly continued to target and attack its members.
The statement disclosed that IPOB has suffered significant losses, with over 5,000 members reportedly killed and properties estimated at over $1 billion destroyed as a result of alleged excessive force employed by Nigerian security forces.
IPOB’s statement read, “We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on the peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN-supervised Referendum.”
It further stated, “IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria.”
The group maintained that self-determination is its inherent right under UN laws and regulations, emphasising that the events spanning from 1948 to 2023 have demonstrated the impracticality of Biafra and Nigeria coexisting as a single nation.
IPOB concluded by reiterating its commitment to pursuing self-determination peacefully in accordance with international laws and regulations.
The group has consistently called for discussions with the Nigerian government to establish a peaceful referendum date, but it claims that such calls have been met with violent suppression.
