₦airaland Forum

Amnesty International Wrote :

INVESTIGATE THE VIOLENCE AT EMENE

Amnesty International condemns the violence in Emene, Enugu state on Sunday and call for an immediate, independent and impartial investigation into the incident that led to loss of lives. At least, four people were killed when the Department of State Security (DSS) entered Emene in Enugu, south-east Nigeria and opened fire on unarmed members of the pro-Biafra group IPOB who were holding a meeting. The DSS in a statement yesterday said that two of their operatives were also killed in the incident.

Eye witnesses said that they saw a combined team of DSS, police and the military at the scene. Some of the security forces were reportedly seen shooting directly at IPOB members who were seen carrying stones and sticks.

Amnesty International condemns the violence and call on the authorities to investigate the incident and bring those responsible for the violence to justice.

Set up a Commission of Inquiry on Emene shooting

Following media reports of the violent face-off between security agencies and members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leading to death of unarmed civilians and security agents, I contacted senior security officers and lawyers of IPOB.

In my interaction with the security agencies facts emerged that the State Department lost two officers and automatic rifles during the fracas while two members of IPOB were killed and about five injured. As at the time of our conversation 5 members of IPOB were in Police custody. I requested the Police to grant them bail or charge them to court.

In my discussion with IPOB lawyers it emerged that the members were meeting peacefully and did not constitute any threat to public peace when some security agents infiltrated their meeting leading to the fracas.

I condole with all those who lost their lives and ask the government of Enugu state to institute a commission of Inquiry to ascertain the truth around the incident that led to the death of unarmed civilians and security agents.

Security agencies must continue to respect fundamental right of peaceful assembly in a democracy and be guided by rules of engagement in dealing with unarmed civilians. Use of force in delicate situations is a by product of the militarization of our society and must be avoided.

It is also important that the identity of those who killed the security agents and took their guns are ascertained to be sure that criminal elements did not cash in on the mayhem. I condemn the use of violence by any group whether security agents or private groups. I will continue to engage with all sides for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. I commend current efforts to de-escalate the tension. IPOB representatives assure me that they remain a non violent organization.

Osita Chidoka
August 2020

Nnamdi kanu has declear the war, the zoo army shall see the full strength of IPOB.

IGBO AMAKA!!! in my next life, I will still be Igbo.

Ojiofor:
I have no time for a braindead youth.

your just a coward and nothing less, and don't quote me again, I only discuss with stable and sane minds!

Ojiofor:
You are free to sacrifice your life for Nnamdi Kanu but don't say you were not warned.
Ahurum na Nnamdi Kanu eriela uburu gi.Ka Chineke nara mkpuru obi gi na ndokwa oge oga eme.Amin.

Bia nwoke m kpachara anya gi ebe ahu, achoghi m ikpari n' public. kedu ihe gbasara gi ma o buru na mu enye ndu m maka Nnamdi kanu. Akwukwo Nso mere ka anyi mata n' onye obula huru ndu ya n' anya nke ukwuu ga etufu ya Mana Onye obula tufuru ndu ya n' ihi Christ ga enweta ndu ebighi ebi.

Ojiofor:
Don't even consider going violent because that will be disastrous for IPOB.
We need peace in Igboland.Youths be wise and don't put your lives on the line for Nnamdi Kanu's private company.

ewedu Muslim afonja! face your region. We love Nnamdi kanu and can sacrifice our life for him.

Pimpmaride:
Ipob shud not resist arrest to avoid blood bath...

Incase this Wana happen, kanu shud warn his members to surrender or better, attend their meetings without weapon...

In fact let's everyone go their way... These guys are innocent na... They Ave done no wrong at all...


They are innocent..

Kanu shud send this to UN and other bodies...

Kanu Shud also stop violent talk so as to let his voice be hard...






I stand with Igbo Nation on this.. Not ipob oo

But I stand with igbo Nation and freedom of human right

it's baffling even when IPOB choose a secluded venue for their usual meeting, the Nigeria security forces will still invade the place to cause unnecessary chaos. This is a pointer that Authorities in Nigeria do not fancy peaceful dissolution of the country, This is also a fact Nnamdi kanu must understand, It's high time IPOB become defensive, employing every tactical means, both violence and diplomatic, to drive down the quest for freedom of Biafra.

MASTAkiLLAh:
Arrewa come o, food don set. I know you’ll be very happy about this just the same way you’re happy about killing of southern kaduna minorities

no sane mind will be happy about this ugly development, in fact if any, must be an anarchist!

Dedetwo:
It is time the IPOB sought the use of weapons to avenge the reckless murder of the unarmed agitators by the Nigerian militias.

I hate to disobey my leader Nnamdi kanu but something we let bare the truth, how long can this killing continue, it time he consider more tactical options rather than this nonviolent method which is not working.

Jcemmyu:
This is just bad. People that are unarmed.

very very bad! We don't want to be path of this fraudulent contraption, Biafra must be free!

BREAKING: Many Feared Dead As IPOB, Security Operatives Clash In Enugu

SaharaReporters gathered that trouble started at about 7:00am when some policemen invaded Community Secondary School in Emene where members of IPOB were meeting to disperse and arrest them.


http://saharareporters.com/2020/08/23/breaking-many-feared-dead-ipob-security-operatives-clash-enugu

The Biafra Nations Youth League, (BNYL) has demanded for
the release of a witchcraft doctor arrested on the way to
fortify himself in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of
Imo State by the Police.


Addressing newsmen in Ikom Local Government Area of
Cross River State, the National Deputy Leader of BNYL and
Director of Operations, Biafra Broadcasting Service, BBS,
Ebuta Takon Akor, also demanded for the release of 67
IPOB members arrested by the Police.


He said that members of the group across the 10 States of
the proposed Biafra republic including separatists from
Southern Cameroon, and ex-members of the Bakassi Strike
Force group among others will converge in Enugu to
discuss issues affecting the people.


The group accused the Police of romancing with killer
herdsmen posing threat across the country, “We want them
to know that we won’t be non violent for ever because
situation is already forcing us to act like Fulani, and I warn
that the Biafra struggle might be worse than that of Southern
Cameroon.”

Biafra Nations Youth League disclosed that its National
Convention scheduled to hold in Enugu on 28 September,
2020 will address critical issues facing the East as a people
in Nigeria.
They noted that the decision to hold the conference in
Enugu was in line with the group resolution known as
“Ekukunela Declarations” made in the town of Ekukunela,
Ikom in Cross River State.

The group noted that immediately after the conference, the
BNYL independence movement will take a new dimension ascritical issues facing the East as a people in Nigeria would
be addressed.

There are things we won't do in Biafra.. Lemme tell you now.. So you can enjoy the last of it in Nigeria..
.
There will be nothing like Big Brother Biafra (BBB) reality show.. Such Senseless, none educative extortion and manipulation of the people in the name of entertainment won't happen..
.
There won't be an illiterate as president. You won't see the likes of Buhari qualifying to contest not to talk of being "riglected" as president.
.
In Biafra.. School kids will not be bothered with that rubbish rhyme of states and capital that starts with "Abia.. Umuahia.. Bla bla bla.. nye nye nye.. " because there will be nothing like Abia, Imo, Enugu, Rivers, Ebonyi, Anambra states.. There might even be no Kogi, Benue, Delta and Edo state.. But one efulefu will want to argue this now..
.
There are things you won't see in Biafra.. You won't see states and a federal government.. You will see provinces and strong regional goverments..
.
There shall be nothing like repentant Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen nor Islamic extremists except on labels of feed for fishes and chicken as they will be crushed into pellets for such and mixed in feeds for fowls and catfishes..
.
You won't see kids exhibit high level IQ and produce prototype heavy machines and equipments like caterpillars, littered on the streets asking for money.. That's a straight admission into the science Schools and manufacturing colleges..
That way, your televisions will show you BGT, Biafra Got Talents, Biafra Science or Arts quiz programs and not programs to show who "gbensh pass!" or who can comfortably "nyuuuu" under a blanket!!
.
Our constitution in Biafra shall have no trades and roads on exclusive list.. It's the regions taking care of themselves.. Their power, resources and energy!
.
You won't see the nonsense and rubbish that makes the zoological garden called Nigeria an evil forest. It shall not be about the persons in governance or offices but the SYSTEM.

helinues:
Have you donated your August fee? Don't be aatif you have not...

Our dilector needs money for personal stuffs...

a pained yeroba Muslim, more painment to your ewedu Muslim skull!

Azmanaty:
U mean more olosho for ur father?

don't mind the cone head afonja! afonjas, rape and olosho are 5&6

IGBO AMAKA!!! GOD bless Nnamdi kanu, the crown prince of Biafra.

Our Special Thanks To Igbo Community Resident In Ivory Coast For 10,000 US dollars Donation To IPOB

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) globally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had on Wednesday 19th August 2020, publicly acknowledged the freewill financial donation of ten thousand United States dollars ($10,000), to IPOB by the Ivory Coast based Igbo community. The IPOB family in Ivory Coast hereby expresses her gratitude to you, for this kind gesture and encourages you never to relent.

Back home in Biafraland, our houses are on fire through the rampant raping/killing of our mothers and sisters by the marauding Fulani Islamic terrorists (Killer herdsmen). A whole lot of despicable things are being perpetrated against our people and if we fail to support our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, our land will be taken away from us by these criminals from the Sahel.

IPOB Ivory Coast family members are most grateful to you for sacrificially making this contribution and we encourage you to maintain the hospitality. We have as a movement, numerous tasks ahead of us to execute and without sustainable inflow of finances, such projects cannot expeditiously be carried out.

In a restored Biafra, lies the hope of our survival as a people and we therefore use this medium to call on all other Biafrans resident in Ivory Coast to arise and humbly emulate this examplery gesture laid out by the Igbo community in the country. Everyone must not be on the street for the realization of this all important Biafra restoration project which it's foundation, has been solidified by our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It therefore behoves on us all to arise and take our places in this unique mandate.

Enemies have surrounded the entirety of Biafraland, awaiting orders to embark on their decimation agenda against our people. This call serves as a wake-up call to all Biafrans not only in Ivory Coast, but globally to get uncompromisingly engaged in this movement for our total emancipation and that of our upcoming generations.

We appreciate your humanly gesture. how

Thanks

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),Ivory Coast.

ThatFairGuy:
Ipob lunatics wants to reach Yorubas their HISTORY. F00LS.
Islam didn't come to Yorubaland through the North. Oyo Ile already had a famous mosque in the 15th century. Check history.
When did Afonja issue happened?
BIGOTS.

I'll be back to read your gibberish finish

rotten ewedu Muslim skull! don't be a coward, read and digest your history.

EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERACTIVE BROADCAST WITH MAZI NNAMDI KANU

16:08:20

LET US PRAY (Isaiah 31)

Woe unto those who go down to Egypt (Zoological Republic -Niggeria) for help because thou art God Almighty in heaven Chukwuokike Abiama puru ime ihe nile.

All power is yours..
At the palm of your hands Oh mighty one is the Power of Creation itself. Everything that we see around us all that we are, you made it possible.

This evening as always, in good and in bad, we give Glory unto thy holy name because that was what David assured you of, that in Good times and bad we must give Praise unto thee because you are the beginning and end..
You are the alpha and Omega and there is no other God apart from thee.

As I did promise you, these your Children, this very IPOB, they have come to thee in truth and every honesty and you have sustained us till this very day, not minding all the sacrifices, all the killings, all the arrests, all beatings, all detentions that we have been forced to endure.
Your grace continue to multiply upon us, and this evening we pray to thee, Oh heavenly Father and we say...

Woe unto those of them that go to Abuja who rely on the feeble mind of the supporter of APC who trust in their Guns, in their AK-47 and in their bullets, who trust in the Zoo Army.

We say Woe and shame unto all of these people who do not look up to the one true living God Chukwuokike Abiama puru ime ihe nile. Those who turn their back unto the Almighty.

Those who boast in their own strength and in their own courage.
We say, Woe unto all of you because only those who are Wise can understand because disaster is coming, because this same God that we serve do not take back his words. This God has said,

"I will rise up against the house of the Wicked. The house of the supporter of APC. Against those who help evil doers. Against every traitor, every Sabotuar, Chukwuokike Abiama says, I will rise up against thee"
Isaiah 31.2

Because the Zoo Army you see today, their DSS who are busy ransacking homes, they are mere mortals, they are men, they are not God. They trust in their mights , in their Guns, and in the help they are getting from the British.
And though a band of shepherd be called against the great Lion, that Lion is not frightened, that very Lion is IPOB. Though they may shout, and clamour and disturb. We are not moved , we are focused on this singular mission.

For the Lord God Almighty in heaven, will come down on this Earth to do battle in the land of Biafra. Like the birds hoping on the herd will God almighty will shield the land of Biafra. He will shield it and he will deliver it because those are his promises and his words. Chukwuokike Abiama will come, and BIAFRA will be rescued.

All of you that have revolted against God in heaven, must return to him because when BIAFRA shall come, we shall reject every idol, silver and Gold, every image that man has created, will be destroyed.
Zoo will fall on it's own sword, for they are mere mortal men. They will flee before us as this very trumpet of Freedom shall be blown and the strong hold of the enemy shall collapse as it is collapsing now in Asorock.

They will not stand the sight of our banner of war.
So says the Lord of Host, for he shall come, for his Children, his Grace and Mercy shall abide within this very Noble Family, this very IPOB of this very generation for it has been decreed, For as long as Child is born, For as long as a child is made from the blood of BIAFRA, that very child shall reference this time in history.
For they shall say they came their name was IPOB and Chukwuokike Abiama was with them. They were outnumbered everywhere, They were surrounded by very powerful enemies, but lo and behold, the Lord of Host through his Grace and Grace alone delivered his children from the hands of the Enemy and BIAFRA came, and BIAFRA stood and shown like a beacon across the darkened continent of Africa, to the Glory of the most High God, Elohim chukwuokike Abiama puru ime ihe nile.
Today, we pray forever more.

Iseeee Iseeee Iseeee

IF YOU REFUSE TO LEARN FROM HISTORY THEN WHEN HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF THEN YOU BECOMES HISTORY YOURSELF.

Solagberu of Okesuna, Afonja and Alimi

Solagberu was the first Yoruba Muslim convert. He was a very good friend of Afonja and played a great role as a accomplice to Afonja;s rebellion against Oyo. It was Solagberu who introduced Alimi ( Salih Janta) to Afonja. He was appointed as a reagent in Ilorin and took the post of Baale of one the the cities conquered by Afonja…. Oke Suna….. This happened at the time when Oyo was reluctant to accept Islam and greatly restricted the practice of the religion….. most of the Yoruba faithful of Islam migrated to Okesuna and took Solagberu as their leader. He had his private militia and was also a warlord in his rights. Okesuna therefore could be described as the first muslim settlement in Yorubaland.

Afonja gave Alimi very special privileges. When he was out on campaigns, he let him rule in his place….. a lot of Fulanis and Hausa people also migrated to Ilorin and pledged allegiance to him, very much as the Yoruba migrants that pledged alleigiance to Solagberu. Like most Fulani…. Including Usman Dan Fodio and Mohammadu Buhari…. Ambitious Fulani leaderls with a potential to be ruthless in their plot to subjugate others usually come across as meek people with no such intention…. This remains the greatest weapon of the Fulani and the very secret weapon they have used to infiltrate and subjugate others…. They are also very patient. They could take a decade or two to destroy the obstacle in their way of subjugation. As Afonja conquered many of the cities North of Oyo, He placed a few Governors loyal to Alimi as the ajeles….

Afonja’s love for Alimi greatly worried his friends. Most especially Onikoyi and Fagbohun. Both of them, he dismissed rather rudely when they expressed their concerns.… when Fagbohun refused to be silent and kept the pressure on him to be careful of his trust for Alimi and the Jamas loyal to him… Afonja called a meeting of all the chiefs loyal to him with an intention to force him to repeat what he said in private ( just as a Yoruba president in the late 70’s did to a fellow Yoruba man who warned him about the infrastructures he was concentrating in the North). Fagbohun caught wind of Afonja’s intention and kept away from the meeting.

Two very important warlords loyal to Afonja died at the time. One was his brother (Agborin) and the other was his head slave warrior (Lasipa). Alimi had them replaced with Fulani soldiers loyal to him…. He had his security details infiltrated as well (very much as Danjuma did in the scheme to get rid of Aguyi Ironsi)…. This left him with only one loyal lieutenant… Bugure

Not until then did Afonja suddenly realize that he had been set up and was surrounded by enemies loyal to a Jihadist loyal to the dream of his kinsmen to conquer to the shores and annex the whole southwest to the Caliphate at Gwandu. He sent for Onikoyi and some other powerful chiefs he was friends with to come to his aid… the message was intercepted after spies in his palace told Aimi of it. He also sent message to Solagberu….. Not only did Solagberu refuse to come to his aid… he also had Bugurre arrested and detained at Okesuna to deprive Alimi of the much needed help of his last surviving general.

This was the signal the Fulani had been waiting for… they launched a palace coup and laid a siege on his palace and smoked him out…. Although he fought till his last breadth…. He was overpowered and killed with tens of arrows. The Jamas burnt his dead body to ashes…. Alimi was proclaimed new leader of Ilorin and his descendants rule the estate of Afonja’s great grandfather ( Laderin) till today.

This was what Solagberu had been hoping for… a successful palace coup that would get rid of his friend ( Afonja) and place a Muslim cleric as the leader. At this time, he was the only one in Ilorin with a militia and as such, real power would be in his hands ( or so he hoped)… unfortunately… Solagberu ( very much like MKO Abiola and Bola Tinubu soner or later).. learnt the hard way that the Fulani was so obsessed for power and believed such right to rule was reserved only for fellow kinsmen…. every non Fulani, irrespective of religion was to be subjugated and relegated to second class citizens in their ancestral home.

Alimi was succeeded by his son and Toyeje of Ogbomoso succeeded Afonja as the new Are Ona Kakanfo…. Just as Solagberu had predicted… the Fulani army greatly relied on him to retake Ilorin…. Appealing to religious sentiments…. Solagberu used his militia to help defeat Toyeje in his mission to retake Ilorin ( Toyeje was a lieutenant in Oyo army and fought from the right wing when Afonja was Are Ona Kakanfo)

Over time….. the Fulani emirate at Ilorin as able to build its private army as well as make new friends among the rebel warlords of Oyo…. As such, they did not need Solagberu’s services anymore…. A siege was laid on Okesuna by the order of emir Abdulsalam ( son of Alimi)…. The people of Okesuna were reduced to famine and could not launch a successful resistance… they were forced to surrender.. Alimi’s soldiers razed down the city and had Solagberu executed…. In his last hours, Solagberu regretted his treachery towards his friend Afonja and felt sobered as the new ruling family he helped solidify their hold on Ilorin paid back his loyalty with disgrace.

Shortly after Solagberu’s exit… the new military under the Ilorin emirate plundered Yoruba nation and took many of its people as slaves to be sold to the merchants at Ijebu and Lagos who were the middle men between the raiders in the North and the Portuguese…. The new Sultan at Sokoto ( Belo) however wanted Fulani domination beyond Ilorin and greatly obsessed for the day all of Yoruba nation-states would be overrun to the shores of the Atlantic. he hoped some day for Fulani annexation of the fertile lands and rain forests in Yoruba land... above all, he dreamed of the day the caliphate would control the coastlines and sell slaves directly to the Portuguese.... Ibadan warriors intercepted them in 1840.....

AN EXTRACT FROM MAZI NNAMDI KANU'S BROADCAST OF THE 19th August 2020 on RADIO BIAFRA

Compiled by
Mazi IKECHUKWU ONUOHA (J.P)

1. Opening prayer by Nwachineke Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

2. We are live and direct, very strong on IPOB community Radio.

3. Please download our app, is low on data, download it for your family, everybody must download.

4. People are telling us that the sound coming out from our IPOB community Radio is beautiful.

5. The next phase is to upgrade it to a chatting platform, so that we can chat with one another.

6. Please get your pen and paper ready, we are ready to proceed.

7. You know that Ojukwu said the same thing and they said that he was boasting, but now the generation that Ojukwu was preparing for has come.

8. Last year 2019 one of our brother wrote, a man wrote a logo for Innoson and everybody was shouting wow! And now Mazi Nnamdi Kanu recommended a logo with the star of David for Biafra on flag and some people are saying that it is Israeli logo, but it is not an Israeli logo.

9. The new flag I published featured the star of ERI I called it, and I want to be put on record that everybody is igbo and am going to prove it to you.

10. Before you argue, i want you to travel to Enugu state to a place called Nsude.

11. Your stupidity is like a cancer sitting in your brain and tonight I am going to cure your stupidity.

12. The new Biafra flag I designed will in no way replaced our original flag and coat of arm that we went to war with, it was meant to open up a discussion.

13. Some of you stupidly disagreed that we came from Israel and I say go to a place called Nsude in Enugu state.

14. Britain wanted to cover up our history because they know that we are the people of the book.

15. Now let me ask you, the pyramid in Nsude, who built it? And what is the difference between it and the one built by the Israeli slaves in Egypt.

16. When you are going into the Bush to do an errand and you see a fruit on the ground, the first thing you do is to look around, if you will find the same fruit tree around, if you don't, then you jump and pass, it means that there is something abnormal. That is the benefit of growing in the village.

17. Let me ask you again, what is that pyramid doing in Enugu? The only place you see such pyramid is in Egypt.

18. Why did they build the same pyramid as in Egypt in Enugu, is to point you to the direction where you came from.

19. I want people to go to Google this evening , in Wikipedia and you will see the flag of niggerea from 1914 to 1960.

20. Then ask yourself, why did Britain insight the star of David in that old ZOO flag, the same star of israel they fought to destroy.

21. Your number one assigment is to go to Nsude Udi and ask yourself what is the pyramid doing in UDI.

22. That was part of the reason why ENUGU was chosen as a capital.

23. So Lugard the first governor general of the ZOO knew where we came from and yet they said we don't have a history.

24. The reason why I spent time is because I don't want our people to be like some animal from the Zoo.

25. Before Israel was created our star was already there in 1914 and Israel only adopted theirs in 1948.

26. Lugard was asked, why did you add the star of David in the ZOO flag design he said is because of the igbos, that they are Jews.

27. Anybody who rejects this star on our flag, I am going to prove it to you that there is a Fulani blood In your blood.

28. The new israel was founded in 1948 and our star was founded in 1914, which one is much older? And who copied who? You are rejecting what you don't know.

29. Tonight I am going to prove it to you that all of us are igbo if you don't like it, you can go and drink poison.

30. So you think that Britain can just come and add the star of David without a reason, is that what you think?

31. The reason why that star is there is because it is indigenous to Nigeria, and that is why Britain decides to add it there.

32. I want to prove that we are all igbo, that's where I am going to right now.

33. If you trace your history, who are you related to? Igbo is something that band us together.

34. Why are we CIRCUMCISED on the eight day after we are born, am sure some of you don't know.

35. Britain don't CIRCUMCISE on the eight days, only in israel and Biafra. If they are, can you show me anywhere on this earth where their male child are circumcised on the eight day?

36. The circumcision on the eighth day is the sign of the covenant of God.

37. I told you what Britain did, suppress the truth, that is what Zuckerberg is doing, suppress the truth, and yet it didn't stop israel from standing.

38. Fulani impregnated your mothers and they gave birth to Rubbish.

39. All of you Efulefu you can't escape it. If you want to see what your life will resemble in few years from now, look at the Hausa people.

40. All of you that ganged up against Ojukwu, see what your life has become, as well as the British, Britian will break up into pieces

41. You have now seen that Ojukwu is a visionary, what Ojukwu saw some of you never saw it. He said let everyone stay on their own, now you all are going to suffer, until you all in the ZOO beg Biafra for forgiveness.

42. Those of you that fought against Biafra are you not today fighting for your dear lifes in your villages?

43. Bokoharam has once again hoist their flag in Borono and there is nothing any of you can do about it.

44. People who even claimed they are the elite they are even daft.

45. And this is where we come to the end of this broadcast, to you Biafra might be just a nation, but to us, Biafra is more than a nation, it is our Religion and here on Radio Biafra is where we worship, and Chukwu Okike Abiama is our God, from me from here is Goodevenig

THE RETURN OF SOME IGBOS THAT MIGRATED TO IDU/IGODOMIGODO AND IDAH BEFORE 800AD.

Recently I have heard a few of people who say some igbo speakers who also bear igbo native names are not igbos , some claim they came from either Benin or igala .Or some self acclaimed historians claim igbos are not of same ancestors.Some even went ahead to say igbo was imposed on them.There is a saying that a lie repeated too often will be assumed to be true.This article is to address some of the misconceptions and prove that igbos are one people, same ancestor wether your migration story is from Idu(Benin) or igala. .

1.Idah and igodomigodo/idu are part of the earliest sphere of igbo migration before 8th century AD. Migration is part of human evolution and humans are not static. Igbos have always moved from one location to the other in search of greener pastures and arable land for farming from prehistoric times and igbos are known for that even till today.

2.According to Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) ,the igbo area of southeastern Nigeria is one of the most populous region of sub-saharan Africa ,with a human density of 1,000 per square mile.In addition, in the book,cambridge history of Africa before 1600AD,it stated that the population distribution of eastern Nigeria is a high density belt.So it's not surprising that igbos from prehistoric times had migrated to Idah and Delta-Benin environs due to high population density in search for arable virgin land for farming which was there major occupation .This movement is estimated to have occurred before 8th century AD, long before the advent of kingdoms in idah and Benin which subsequently led to the recoil of these igbos back to the eastern region.

3.Igbos have formed part of the nucleus of the multiethnic population at Idah before the settling of igalas and advent of igala kingdom. Its on record, as documented by G,T BASDEN(among the igbos of Nigeria) and Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) that the awka blacksmithers travel beyond the borders of ibo country ,north into igala, ibaji, idoma,warri and beyond, casting bronze,brass iron bells,hoes,according to specifications.Most times awka blacksmithers spend months and years away from igboland plying there trade and the possibility of establishing igbo settlements at these distant places can not be ruled out.This trade is estimated to have begun before 8th century AD (igbo ukwu bronzes) but however it became apparent in the 14th century AD following excavations made at awka (D.D HARTLE, 1966 page 26),GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD page 522.

4.Awka Smith always worked alongside Nri priest(patron and founder of the Ozo title) and they made and fabricated the ozor staff(ofor) ,iron bells and other ritual staves for the Nri priest. It's on record that the Nri Influence extended beyond the igbo sphere into southern igala where igbos had earlier migrated and Idu/igodomigodo which later became Benin ,Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel).

5.Nri Influence (9AD) extended beyond the shores of igboland into south of igala and igodomigodo(igbanke igbos in present Edo state) all of which igbos had earlier migrated in prehistoric times,(according to a book GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD by M.El Fasi) .On the west of Niger River,Nri priests along side Awka blacksmithers Made Ofor wands(staffs) for igbos along that axis(from Anioma down to Benin(igbanke igbos).Ichi facial scarification were also Noted among igbos in Delta and eastern side.They maintained ties of loyalty with Nri priestly cult by cleansing grave social infractions and abominations and conferring of rights of leadership (interesting narratives of olaudah equano 1745AD and Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) .So there was a prehistoric movement of igbos up north (idah) ,followed by migration and drift downward of igala from Wakuri in Taraba (Attah of igala HRH Dr Michael Idakwo-punch 2017) and migration of some igala into northern igboland to seek refuge due to raids in the extreme north of igala by sokoto jihadists in 1834 (igbo-igala borderlands by Austin.J.Shelton page 18).Igala later(late 1800) imperial Influence on northern igboland was kept in check by activities of the Aro.

In an interview granted to Obi agbogidi chukwunwike anyasi of odumuje-unor kingdom, delta state,he clearly stated that Nri priests performed rituals at the palace of Oba of Benin (genesis of migration of Ezechima to Benin from igboland) and this point was further supported by M.D W Jeffrey in his book Oreli mask Nigerian field, volume 10.He noted that Nri priests were performing certain ritual functions at the installation of a new oba of Benin.

6.As noted by Nancy Neaher,Nri Influence extended beyond northern igboland into idah where igbo settlements had earlier dispersed(ibaji,akpanya, olamaboro) from prehistoric times before the establishment of igala kingdom .Nri priests,along side Awka blacksmithers made iron bells, hoes,armlets,leg bands in igala and took over production (Boston 1964). R.N Henderson noted in the book GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD ) that royal bells made by awka blacksmithers were included in the burial of igala kings.In exchange for the services rendered, the awka blacksmithers brought back dried fish,maize,yams,elephant hair necklaces and horses which they used for sacrifice Alusi (Nancy Neaher ). The true igala/Benin migrants Into igboland are few and mostly located at the igbo-igala ,Benin-igbanke igbos borderlands and those migrants met existing igbo settlements on ground.

7. Its important to note that the subsequent rise of igala kingdom in the north and Benin empire in south led to the decline of Nri Influence in the igbo country that span from the borders of Benin (igbanke igbos in present Edo state ) down south and akpotos(igala/idah) up north and ijaw being there closest neighbours in the Delta borders (G.T BASDEN "among the ibos of Nigeria) page 28.

8.With the rise of Benin kingdom in the south and hostilities in the kingdom, many of these igbos that had migrated there prior to this time (Ezechima, Akalaka etc) began to return home.There deliberate migration towards the east, crossing the Niger river back to Onitsha shows they knew where they came from.As already noted in the book, cambridge history of Africa before 1600AD,page 273,the density of population in eastern region was already high before 1600AD when Ezechima and family is said to have left Idu/igodomigodo. So migrating in reverse, against an already densely populated area must be a deliberate move heading home and its unlikely they arrived onitsha a virgin land.

9.Thesame recoil event Also happened with igbos already spread up north to idah.The igala kingdom and subsequent hostilities,many of these igbos returned back to Nsuka,Enugu Ezike northern igbo borders. please note.non of the said igbos that returned from Benin or idah spoke any other language on arrival to igboland except igbo.They all had igbo names and spoke igbo on arrival to igboland. No history book documented they spoke any other language other than igbo.This further proves that they had already migrated there in prehistoric times and only returned back home.As igbos have always been decentralized societies,with the priestly cult of Nri widely known and fulfilling the needs of igbos at that time all over igboland, the system of government is not military. it's not surprising if the history of early kings of agbor are from Benin. origin of kingship is not always origin of a people. The rise of igala or Benin kingdom may have Imposed some conventions among igbos within there sphere, but that doesn't take away the fact they have always been there and retained there igbo identity.

10.So contrary to what some believe that some igbos are not of same ancestor, igbos have always been one and ancestral in there land.wether your migration story says your ancestors migrated from around Benin or igala, igbos have always been igbos and those that migrated to distant places only returned back home because archaeological findings have shown igbos are aboriginal occupants of southern Nigeria with settlements dating since 3000BC.(Thurstan Shaw-Radiocabon dating in Nigeria, 1968.

By professor Ofoegbu R.N with contributions from Dr Benson and Dr Opone.C

Dated 28/7/2020.
REFERENCES:
1.G.T BASDEN "among the ibos of Nigeria ,first published 1921.
2.Cambridge history of Africa from 1600AD to 1790,first edited by Rìchard Gray,by J.D Fage.
3.GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD by M.El Fasi)
4. HRH,Obi agbogidi chukwunwike Anyasi of odumuje-unor kingdom, delta state,
5.Interesting narratives of the life of Olaudah Equano 1745AD.
6.Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel,Itinerant metalsmiths of southern Nigeria.
7.Oral tradition of UmuEri clan on the founding of igala by Eri.
8.(igbo-igala borderlands by Austin.J.Shelton page 18).

Courtesy Chris Uniman