The Igbos are under siege in their country

By Mike Ozekhome

I am shocked that the Igbos are not speaking up at the apparent siege laid on their land by uniformed person of different categories. They range from Army, Navy, Police, Civil Defence, Customs, FRSC, etc. My journey had taken me by road from Isele-Mkpitime, where I had gone to pay tribute to a Nigerian icon, Chief (Dr) P.K.C. Isagba, the Odogwu of Isele-Mkpitime. He was one of the first Nigerians to believe in my ability as a young fledgling lawyer. I had been handling his cases whilst at Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s Chambers. When I left as Deputy Head to set up my practice in January 1986, Chief f Isagba personally went to Chief Gani Fawehinmi, to allow him move his files to me, to continue handling his cases; a request the amiable and selfless Gani granted immediately. So, Chief Isagba became my first major client as a tottering practising lawyer, trying to find my groggy feet. He became my bossom friend and elder brother.

My journey from Isele-Mkpitime, through Asaba, to Port-Harcourt, told me clearly that the entire Igbo land is locked down in a physical, psychological and mental siege, reminiscent of a civil war time.

When the Civil War ended January 15, 1970, the then military ruler, General “Jack” Yakubu Gowon, who became Head of State, at 31 and a bachelor, proclaimed the three Rs: “Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation”, which heralded his policy of “No Victor, No Vanquished”. This was after the unfortunate failure of the 4th-5th January, 1967, of the “Aburi Accord”, that would have prevented the bloody war in which over 2 million civilians and 100, 000 military combatants were killed. Or, was it an historical mistake that these people who had already manufactured “Ogbunigwe” (series of weapons, that included detonation mines, IED, and rocket propelled missiles), with which they prosecuted the Nigeria – Biafra war between 1967 and 1970, were prevented from leaving Nigeria? Perhaps, we would today have had a Japan, Singapore or South Korea lying side by side a sprawling “giant of Africa” on clay legs.

These policies were meant to quickly heal the gaping wounds of the gruesome blood-letting, forget the horrors and evils of the fratricidal war and quickly reintegrate the Igbos into the society.

But, have these hardworking, gregarious “Jews” of Nigeria been reconciled, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the mainstream of the Nigerian society? I doubt it. Simple proof: show me any Igbo man in today’s all powerful cabal kitchen cabinet of PMB’s Government. My journey from Isele-Mkpitime, Delta State, through Asaba, Onitsha, Oba, Oraifite, Okija, Ihiala, Mgbidi, Awomama, Owerri, Aba to Port-Harcourt, was a strangulating reminder that the Igbos, inspite of their unquantifiable contributions to the commerce, industry and innovations that drive the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy and give it oxygen, are nearly a conquered people. The check-points along the above stretch of road are nauseating and asphyxiating, as the security agencies, including para-military ones out-do each other to harass, torment, search, intimidate and extort money from travelers.

Earlier journeys by road (I travel a lot on professional duties), had shown me the same siege through countless roadblocks: Enugu, through the Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road; Amansea in Awka-Ugwuoba Oji River; Nnewi, Alor, Ekwulobia, Amesi, Ugar, Umuchu; Okigwe, Awgu and Ituku Ozalla, Umuahia and Isiala-Ngwa, on Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway. On the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene highway, you have exasperating road blocks at Michael Okpara University junction; Isingwu-Nkweogwu junction of the Isuikwuato-Uzuakoli-Ajayi-Igbere road; and the 14 Brigade Army barracks junction at the Ohafia-Arochukwu highway.

As you are crossing one check point, a mere look ahead of you, of less than half a kilometer, will reveal another barricade. It is all so frustrating. There is no war, or security breach. South East is not North East where Boko Haram still calls the shots (forget about Government’s pet words of “we have degraded Boko Haram”; Boko Haram is still very potent, controlling large areas, killing and maiming people on a daily basis. Their representative said that much at the 2nd May, 2017, Re-Union meeting of the 2014 National Conference delegates at Daar Communications Centre, Abuja, where I delivered the keynote address).

Yet, in this Boko Haram-ravaged region, you would not find this armada of security, treating the entire geo-political zone made up of five states (the least in Nigeria; some others have seven states), like a conquered territory.

It is only the recent suit by my good friend, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, (six of us founded the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) – the first human rights body in Nigeria-on 15th October, 1987), over ''marginalisation of the South East region”, that has perhaps brought to the front burner, these disturbing tons of injustice. That is why no one can ignore them.


The Igbos are under siege in their country

By Mike Ozekhome

https://newtelegraphonline.com/tag/the-igbos-are-under-siege-in-their-country/

I know that buhari will never forgive the person or advicer who advised him to get Nnamdi kanu arrested.


A struggling radio director that was hardly known and his broadcast listened to in the east has suddenly become a national figure.

Before the arrest of Nnamdi kanu no one was talking about referendum, igbos were grumbling quite alright then but the agitation was not at this all time high.

The events of the next 6 months will be interesting, make I just dey observe

He is right. And it is not just Igboland.

The entire East has been militarized unlike the North which has been plagued with so many issues.

How can the most peaceful region be placed on a lockdown if not for one reason. Oil

HisSexcellency:

Mike ozekome has said it all. In the evil minds of Nigerian leaders, the civil war is still on. that is why the citizens are playing wicked against ndi igbo even here on NL.

Those that are calling for Biafra have a good reason for doing it, the problem is those who are opposing it, who see the calls as an Insult. The East is being oppressed and the reaction is what is coming out a Biafra agitation.
Each road blocks in east makes up to 500k from extortion. They collects nothing less than 100naira from transporters for committing no crime, and if you refuse to pay, you will be kept on the road for hours.

Afonjas the unity beggers, what sayeth you.

For the unity beggars, I pray your ears won't tingke for this blunt truth from Mike

Check out reasons I will hate Nigeria if I wasn't Nigerian


http://www.babasalami.com/2017/06/reasons-i-will-hate-nigeria-if-i-wasnt.html

my only happiness is that God is bringing his restoration hands upon his people...the sun shall rise again

my only happiness is that God is bringing his restoration hands upon his people...the sun shall rise again

People wonder why the rage is growing in Igboland. Nnamdi Kanu just tapped into it.

Our region is on total lockdown when we do not have any conflict.

Explain to me why is this so?

vengertime:
Afonjas the unity beggers, what sayeth you.

The afonjas just dey observe!!!

So so true.

Take away power from the North for 20 years let's see how they roll.

Proudly Igbo.

EzeUche:
People wonder why the rage is growing in Igboland. Nnamdi Kanu just tapped into it.

Our region is on total lockdown when we do not have any conflict.

Explain to me why is this so?

Last April, I travalled to Enugu by Airpeace on my way from Europe and US...Going back I decided to go by road...From Enugu to Onitsha was horrible...from Onitsha all the way to Lagos was smooth. I boiled with rage wondering if SE Nigeria is still part of Nigeria...I couldn't believe this wickedness persisted... To prove that this was a delibrate policy of the evil central government...the distant from Enugu through Awka to Onitsha is less than 150 miles, compared with say, Benin to Lagos...If the Igbos are hated that much, why not allow them to leave...as they are agitating...

sekxy:
my only happiness is that God is bringing his restoration hands upon his people...the sun shall rise again

again and again and again

Cooly100:


Last April, I travalled to Enugu by Airpeace on my way from Europe and US...Going back I decided to go by road...From Enugu to Onitsha was horrible...from Onitsha all the way to Lagos was smooth. I boiled with rage wondering if SE Nigeria is still part of Nigeria...I couldn't believe this wickness persisted... To prove that this was a delibrate policy of the evil central government...the distant from Enugu through Awka to Onitsha is less than 150 miles, compared with say, Benin to Lagos...If the Igbos are hated that much, why not allow them to leave...as they are agitating...

The problem i have with you guys is that you guys are too emotional. Instead of making your demands clear and unambiguous and use diplomatic, political and other legal means to air your grievances and how to achieve your demands, you guys resort to complaining, insults and sometimes outright threats. The south east have 5 governors, 15 Senators and 60 House of rep members, have you guys made your grievances known to them? Have you made official complaints to both the Federal and State Governments on the so called siege on the south east? Have you guys held protest complaining of the excess military and police presence in the South East?

You guys always accuse others of hating on you guys, but it is you guys that throws the most insults on social media, it is you guys that involve other people who are not interested in your agitations. You guys call minority tribes in the Nigerdelta slaves, you insult Bini people, you call Yorubas all sorts of names, you call Northerners cows, and all sorts of unprintable names, and you are here talking about others hating.

Ozekhome has revealed the true extent of Igboland in just a 30minutes interview. Hope many of his fellow 'We SS' are taking note.

Cooly100:


Last April, I travalled to Enugu by Airpeace on my way from Europe and US...Going back I decided to go by road...From Enugu to Onitsha was horrible...from Onitsha all the way to Lagos was smooth. I boiled with rage wondering if SE Nigeria is still part of Nigeria...I couldn't believe this wickedness persisted... To prove that this was a delibrate policy of the evil central government...the distant from Enugu through Awka to Onitsha is less than 150 miles, compared with say, Benin to Lagos...If the Igbos are hated that much, why not allow them to leave...as they are agitating...

You must be mistaken. GEJ fixed all the southeast roads.

Nigeria remain a useless country.

wirinet:


The problem i have with you guys is that you guys are too emotional. Instead of making your demands clear and unambiguous and use diplomatic, political and other legal means to air your grievances and how to achieve your demands, you guys resort to complaining, insults and sometimes outright threats. The south east have 5 governors, 15 Senators and 60 House of rep members, have you guys made your grievances known to them? Have you made official complaints to both the Federal and State Governments on the so called siege on the south east? Have you guys held protest complaining of the excess military and police presence in the South East?

You guys always accuse others of hating on you guys, but it is you guys that throws the most insults on social media, it is you guys that involve other people who are not interested in your agitations. You guys call minority tribes in the Nigerdelta slaves, you insult Bini people, you call Yorubas all sorts of names, you call Northerners cows, and all sorts of unprintable names, and you are here talking about others hating.

Will you keep quiet!

The Igbos have been dealing with this nonsense for decades and we did not say a thing.

Now we are demanding a referendum. So keep your emotional nonsense to yourself

wirinet:


The problem i have with you guys is that you guys are too emotional. Instead of making your demands clear and unambiguous and use diplomatic, political and other legal means to air your grievances and how to achieve your demands, you guys resort to complaining, insults and sometimes outright threats. The south east have 5 governors, 15 Senators and 60 House of rep members, have you guys made your grievances known to them? Have you made official complaints to both the Federal and State Governments on the so called siege on the south east? Have you guys held protest complaining of the excess military and police presence in the South East?

You guys always accuse others of hating on you guys, but it is you guys that throws the most insults on social media, it is you guys that involve other people who are not interested in your agitations. You guys call minority tribes in the Nigerdelta slaves, you insult Bini people, you call Yorubas all sorts of names, you call Northerners cows, and all sorts of unprintable names, and you are here talking about others hating.

Yoruba,thats how you lot talk trash.why are you people like tol act like an. Ostrich that would rather bury his head in the sand than face the reality.I spit on you people.

EzeUche:


Will you keep quiet!

The Igbos have been dealing with this nonsense for decades and we did not say a thing.

Now we are demanding a referendum. So keep your emotional nonsense to yourself

Another senseless emotional rant.

Which nonsense have the Igbos been dealing with that others have not been dealing with?

What Referendum are you demanding exactly? Is it that Igbos want to leave Nigeria? If that is the case, then you guys need to form political parties with secession as the agenda. You cannot achieve secession with a cacophony of noise on TV, radio and social media.

wirinet:


The problem i have with you guys is that you guys are too emotional. Instead of making your demands clear and unambiguous and use diplomatic, political and other legal means to air your grievances and how to achieve your demands, you guys resort to complaining, insults and sometimes outright threats. The south east have 5 governors, 15 Senators and 60 House of rep members, have you guys made your grievances known to them? Have you made official complaints to both the Federal and State Governments on the so called siege on the south east? Have you guys held protest complaining of the excess military and police presence in the South East?

You guys always accuse others of hating on you guys, but it is you guys that throws the most insults on social media, it is you guys that involve other people who are not interested in your agitations. You guys call minority tribes in the Nigerdelta slaves, you insult Bini people, you call Yorubas all sorts of names, you call Northerners cows, and all sorts of unprintable names, and you are here talking about others hating.

We have seen how peaceful Nigeria is. All of us are enjoying it. Thank you One-Nigeria.

Nwakaumu:
Yoruba,thats how you lot talk trash.why are you people like tol act like an. Ostrich that would rather bury his head in the sand than face the reality. I spit on you people .

You guys must have a serious physiological condition that makes you think, sleep and dream Yoruba every second of your existence. You need help!

The Irony is that it is still you people that will be wailing about others hating you.

Eboes are not Nigerians, they are Biafuros

wirinet:


Another senseless emotional rant.

Which nonsense have the Igbos been dealing with that others have not been dealing with?

What Referendum are you demanding exactly? Is it that Igbos want to leave Nigeria? If that is the case, then you guys need to form political parties with secession as the agenda. You cannot achieve secession with a cacophony of noise on TV, radio and social media.

You are really dense. There is no need to waste time to form a political party, because the Northern leadership has already said that the nation's unity is not negotiable.

How many times does that need to be said for that to get into your skull?

So why should the Igbo waste their time going that route?

Offer something new or just keep your mouth shut.

Horrible discovery that is. But why wasnt all those fixed during the reign of Ebele Azikiwe? Or were the igbos that formed the kitchen cabinet of GEJ diverting the fund for fixing the roads?

EzeUche:


You are really dense. There is no need to waste time to form a political party, because [s]the Northern leadership has already said that the nation's unity is not negotiable[/s].

How many times does that need to be said for that to get into your skull?

So why should the Igbo waste their time going that route?

Offer something new or just keep your mouth shut.

Not anymore. Once you move out of the North a referendum will hold. So the ball is in your court.

K

Interesting.....

Don't the Igbos have any vigilante group like OPC