Since Nigeria’s civil war ended decades ago, many groups have continued to advocate for secession from Nigeria.
These agitations are a result of marginalization, economic sabotage, and ethnic bigotry, to mention just a few.
In 2012, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was established for the creation of a Sovereign state of Biafra. IPOB’s activities include the creation of awareness among the populace, distribution of flyers, prayer gatherings, and marches.
Since then southeast Nigeria has been home to unending violent attacks. Often, fatal incidents are perpetrated by “unknown gunmen,” or hoodlums, whom security organizations have linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB has persistently denied the accusation. On August 30, 2015, their procession along Coca-Cola Stop Onitsha was interrupted by a team of naval officers, and it resulted in the death of some members of IPOB and security agents. So many IPOB members escaped unhurt including one Mr. NNOKWARA GODWIN MADU.
Although the group activities have been non-violence, it was banned and proscribed, and the Nigerian government declared a massive crackdown on members of the group through its security agencies such as the Army, police, DSS, etc. These clashes always lead to killing, maiming, intimidation, arrest, torture, and abduction of IPOB members.
Since August 2015 till date, at various locations in eastern Nigeria: Ohafia and Ngwa high schools in Aba, Abia State, Onitsha in Anambra state, and some other locations in southeast Nigeria, many IPOB members have been killed, some arrested and in detention, some declared wanted, while some escaped unhurt and are still in hiding as security operatives are still in search of them due to the groups prescription by the Nigeria state.
Mr. NNOKWARA GODWIN MADU from Obinze in Owerri West local government area of Imo State, Nigeria, a member of the group who was lucky to escape being arrested and killed in 2015 by the security agencies, is still no way to be found.
According to a reliable source, His youthful friend Frank Uduka who escaped along with him returned to the village last year after so many years in exile, unfortunately for him, he was among those killed by the State actors on Monday 25th November 2024 last year along the Ekeututu–Ihiteunansa Road in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo state. Two of them were leaders of the group in Obinze.
Security agencies are still in search of him. He has been targeted severely by security agencies for his active involvement with the group. Mr. Nnokwara’s house has been raided on different occasions by state actors, and materials belonging to the group have often been found in his house. But the question is, for someone who has gone into hiding for so many years now and his whereabouts unknown to everybody, why do we still have a trace of IPOB materials in his House? Only time will tell, as he is still on a wanted list.
And there is heightened fear among his family members that if their son eventually returns, he will be executed just like his friend Uduka. Their fears are compounded by the recent visits to Obinze by different security outfits, including troops of the Nigerian army and the police.
An IPOB official who spoke on the condition of anonymity believes that if found would be made to face the wrath of the law in Nigeria.
He’s advising him to remain where he is if he’s still alive to avoid being imprisoned or executed.
