Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has declared that the burial of Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and his wife Ugoeze Sally Kanu, slated for 14th of February is an Igbo traditional rite and not a Biafran function.
Speaking to journalists, Comrade Uchenna Madu, MASSOB leader urged the army to resist the temptation of disrupting the burial of Nnamdi Kanu’s parents.
It will be recalled that the reports of army invasion of Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku on Sunday emerged with many residents of the community apprehensive of what may transpire during the burial slated for 14 February.
Madu while reacting to reports of military presence at the palace condemned what he termed the continuous patrolling of Nigeria Army around the royal palace of Late Eze Israel Kanu.
He said that the temporal blockade of the entrance of the road leading to the palace and subjective harassment of the citizens of the community was an act of witch hunting, inconsequential Gestapo-style subjugation.
“MASSOB wishes to inform the Nigeria security agencies that the burial ceremony of Eze Israel Kanu and his wife is not an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or Biafra event, it is purely an Igbo traditional rite of burial of the Afaraukwu Umuahia community for their late Eze and his wife.
“The security agencies should stop creating unnecessary and artificial tension in Afaraukwu Umuahia,” he said.
Madu described the Nigerian army and other security agencies as organs of intimidation and subjugation.
He said, “Their uninvited and frequent presence around the family house of Late Eze Israel Kanu is to create a negative and erroneous impression that the burial of Afaraukwu Umuahia traditional ruler and his wife will not be peaceful as planned.
“We know their game plan, they want to embarrass the Igbo leaders and foreign delegates that will attend the burial.
“We shall make sure their plans fail because there will be no Biafra activity that will attract their venom.
“Ndigbo have resolved to accord Nnamdi Kanu’s parents a befitting burial as a profound traditional ruler. Their burial ceremony is not a Biafran rally or demonstration.
“Whatever be the case, the intimidation and molestations by the Nigeria army in Afaraukwu Umuahia will not deter Ndigbo from the burial of Eze Israel Kanu and his wife.”
