Nigeria: Meeting with Biafra's Independence Leader



Exclusive: 50 years after the civil war, which killed more than one million people, the region of south-east Nigeria returns to its secessionist motives. Paris Match Africa went to meet IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, the new independence voice of Biafra.

A controversial figure and an outstanding tribune, Nnamdi Kanu is the new face of the Biafran struggle. President of the pirate radio "Radio Biafra" since 2009, he is the head of the IPOB (Movement for the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra). On the 30th of May, for the fiftieth anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence, IPOB was at the origin of Operation "Dead City", followed very closely by the populations of the south-east. An initiative in protest against the Nigerian central government.

Paris Match Africa: Fifty years ago, Biafra declared its ephemeral independence, do the inhabitants of this region attached to Nigeria still dream of it today?

The word "dream" you use seems to me to be inappropriate. We do not dream of the Biafra, it is a reality that takes shape a little more each day. We are all working to restore Biafra.

Has Nigeria not tried to integrate Igbos into institutions, including the army?

We have no power. There is nothing to go in that direction. The Igbos have been subjected for years. To suppress their thirst for freedom the Nigerian government has used political terrorists. The reconquest of power draws all our energy. It is an irreversible movement. We have been marginalized, we have to put an end to it. This does not only include the Igbos, but all the Delta peoples, also victims of segregation.

You were arrested in October 2015 and imprisoned for 18 months. How were you treated?

Very badly, I suffered a lot. It was indescribable. We were not allowed to visit. We did not have the same treatment as the others. But if I have to go back to prison to save my people, I will do so despite the treatment I have received. I do this rather than accept the deplorable conditions in which we have lived all these years. There is nothing more terrible than being a slave on his own land.


How did you experience the demonstrations? What were the consequences?

All this must end because we can not stay, the sooner the Biafra will fly with its own wings, the better it will be for everyone. We can not stay with Nigeria. No way.

What exit do you propose for your people? Do you exclude the use of violence?

We do not argue for violence. This has never been the case in the history of this struggle. We are talking about self-defense. The Hausa and Fulani have often mistreated us in places like Aba or Nkpo. We had to defend ourselves. But we have never undertaken violent actions. We still believe that only the peaceful way can guarantee the Biafra we want, a Biafra that will defend the values ​​of equality and justice. That is why we are calling for a referendum.

What is your relationship with the Avengers? Are you united against the federal state?

No. We are not leagued against anyone, but we are united to regain our freedom.

When you were in prison, did you think about your project?

I no longer have any personal life. My life is Biafra. I am not an agitator, but a fanatic! I am a fan of Biafra and it is the mission of IPOB. I will be able to sacrifice my family if necessary so that the Biafra will hold. Nothing matters to me. Only the Biafra. The sooner they understand, the better it will be.

Are you afraid to spend your life in prison?

Not at all. I am not afraid. I fear nothing, not even death. It is death that is afraid of me. I'm not afraid of anything.

Source http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Nigeria-Rencontre-avec-le-leader-independantiste-du-Biafra-1292501BIA

Paris Match is one of the biggest magazine for the rich and famous in France, like National Enquirer in America.

cc: Lalasticlala,mynd44 this deserves FP

The word "dream" you use seems to me to be inappropriate. We do not dream of the Biafra, it is a reality that takes shape a little more each day. We are all working to restore Biafra.

Biafra is a reality that is beginning to take shape. Only a blind man would doubt that

SUICIDE IS IMMINENT IN THIS THREAD.... ANY PREVENTIVE MEASURES LALASTICLALA

With passion
With authority
With love

They would end up saying, if only i knew, i would have invested my time and resources pursuing something realistic..........


I have a dream.....

ok

Nnamdi Kanu is turning into a movement. Any bad/wrong move from the government, boom you've it!!!

God bless Nnamdi Kanu.

A modern day Moses for Biafrans.

Im not afraid. i fear nothing, not even death. It is death that is afraid of me. Nnamdi Kanu 2017

Nnamdi kanu the most fearless man ever lived in africa, i'll make you my idol when we finally achieved biafra

Another uppercut for the Foolanis n Afonjas We want out!!!

Cc: lalasticlala, mynd44, ishilove, this news deserves front page... We're talking about an interview from a renowned international news media.

Don't be biased!

All hail Biafra!
The land of the rising sun.

I salute your courage mr... It is second to none.

will my people ever be forward thinking like the ibos

munching gbegiri is not enough!

Check news week online. There is another one there.

Biafra is coming and the Afonjas are scared.

The movement is gathering momentum. Such recognition will facilitate a referendum.

The zoo must fall!!!

elderhimself:
They would end up saying, if only i knew, i would have invested my time and resources pursuing something realistic..........


I have a dream.....

Shatap Afonjas Afonja

All hail the land of the rising sun.........
Never give up

Its about the time to fight the good fight..

Why isn't this on the fp?....

O NWAYO KA HA JI ALACHA OFE DI OKWU.
NA SMALL SMALL THEM THEY TAKE LICK HOT SOUP.



NO MATTER HOW FIERST THE CLOUDS IS,
THE SUN SHALL STILL RISE AGAIN.

God bless umuchukwu.

That clown be feeling like moses. arm of rubbish

ChilledPill:
Nnamdi kanu the most fearless man ever lived in africa, i'll make you my idol when we finally achieved biafra

Another joke from the past was supposed to be brave, he shouted biafra and led millions of you to your death, but at the end of the day, he took off in benz and then Jet out of Nigeria to enjoy his life and later returned to Nigeria to collect his Nigerian pension and military title.


Another joker today is forming bravery, but at the end of the day and after the fireworks and deaths, he is a British passport holder and Britain won't hesitate to let him in while you losers lick your wound and bury your dead in Nigeria once again.


You people are hard learners, you don't learn from your history and misfortunes.

A na-agwo, O na-ere.
sophisticated hydraulic afonja said we are jobless and illiterate but here we are entertaining foreign reputable journalist.
If IPOB is joblessness, let my entire generation be jobless.