Nnamdi Kanu and the Reason Behind the " Biafra Or Death" Mantra

Nnamdi Kanu and the Reason Behind the " Biafra Or Death" Mantra

Nnamdi Kanu is certainly a man who has made the recent history of his Nation (Biafra) and the world. He has taught humanity a lot through his broadcasts on Radio Biafra where he happens to be the director. That's why it is also useful and necessary to inquire about his life because he is the man destined to lead Biafra out of the last great experiences of discrimination, marginalization, hate, segregation, subjugation and all other kinds of vile fate. Nnamdi Kanu (born 1970s) is a Biafran political and Human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the director of the popular, London-based radio station - Radio Biafra and Biafra Television.

On the 14th of October 2015, it was reported that Kanu had been kidnapped and detained in Lagos State by Nigeria’s secret police; the Department of State Security (DSS), in his hotel room at Golden Tulip Essential Hotel Ikeja, Lagos State. Kanu is a man who seeks to liberate his people (Biafrans) from their travails but was falsely accused of treasonable felony and of engaging in terrorism, and belonging to an illegal organisation.

On the contrary, Kanu has been a quiet but outspoken leader. A leader who with his wisdom and truth, has brought much-needed attention to the plight of Biafrans. Kanu is a Human right activist as well as a freedom fighter, who devotes himself wholly to the emancipation of the Biafran people and the restoration of the Sovereign State of Biafra. Although currently, he has found himself in prison, Kanu has brought peace and brotherhood love among the formerly viciously divided Biafrans. Nnamdi Kanu aims to put an end to the injustice and sufferings of the Biafran people perpetrated by Nigeria and the government of Muhammadu Buhari.

The news of Kanu’s arrest generated massive protests across Biafra land including Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Cross, Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Anambra States. By organizing thousands of peaceful protests, Biafrans have attracted the attention of international media worldwide to the continued violations of the constitutional rights and killings of Biafrans. But when hundreds of peaceful Biafran demonstrators were attacked and slaughtered by the Nigerian Police and Army, it became the turning-point in the fight for civil rights and freedom for Biafrans. The world must realize that only the unconditional and immediate release of Kanu and the total restoration of Biafra, can avert another war in Nigeria.

NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES’ BRUTALITY AGAINST BIAFRANS

It will be recalled that on the 30th of August 2015, the combined forces of the Nigerian police and army in Onitsha (Biafraland) assaulted six hundred Biafrans who were peacefully demonstrating. Without any provocation, the police loaded the protesters on trucks, hit them with batons and fired tear-gas at them, while others were shot and killed with live ammunitions. Dozens of Biafrans were severely injured and the images of the violence against Biafrans went around the world on the social media. It was one of the most significant moments for Kanu and Biafrans in their quest for freedom and self-determination.

Nnamdi Kanu and the Reason Behind the " Biafra Or Death" Mantra

A similar case of Nigerian Police and Army brutality was also witnessed on the 9th of February 2016, where Biafrans were to have a prayer session at Aba National high school (Biafra land). Those who were at the forefront of the procession made efforts to talk to the Nigerian Army and Police who surrounded them, concerning their gathering, but met no success. Moments later the Army began shoving the demonstrators. The first in line were thrown to the ground, those behind them began to back away, and then to run, trying to get away from the venue. The police began to hit them with sticks, while others were loaded on their trucks and other officers fired tear gas and live bullets into the crowd of peaceful, unarmed Biafrans who were simply there for prayer sessions. Over 30 Biafrans were killed and many others severely injured and hospitalized. This violence was caught on camera and sent to many human rights organizations, International communities and ICC. The images and footages of the violence went viral on the social media and the Internet.

REASONS BEHIND THE "BIAFRA OR DEATH" SLOGAN

We Biafrans and Kanu have a concept of homeland, very classic; that Biafra is the land of our fathers, the land where they broke their sweat and spilled their blood in order to make way for us to speak the beautiful languages of Biafra, such as Ijaw, Ibibio-Efik, Igbo, Igala, Idoma, Ogoni, Urhobo and Ogoja.

Biafra is freedom, a place where there's a superior value system and where many people hope for a better future. Our ancestors have struggled and suffered to give us the inheritance. Biafra is the land that is laced with cries of freedom, the screams of “VIVA BIAFRA” by our Heroes and Heroines.

It has the flag that unites the hearts of Biafrans; the Yellow of the rising sun, and the Green of hope and of truth. Biafra is our hope, our home, our region and our nation. We would all defend and die for Biafra because it’s ours. Yes, it is ours.

We stand behind the slogan "Biafra or death" because, without Biafra life will lose its essence to us. Without restoring Biafra, our generations will suffer worse calamity than we are currently witnessing. Without Biafra, our people will continue to die of dehydration in the Sahara desert, and drown in the mediterranean sea, as a result of forceful migration in search of greener pastures. Without Biafra, Hausa-Fulani will behead our people for refusing to bow down to their Allah. Without Biafra, we are dead anyway. We need Biafra to harness our resources to good use, so as to raise the standard of living of our people.

We believe that one thing must surely kill a man, if we are spared by poverty in this damnable contraption-Nigeria, Boko haram will not think twice before raising their sword against our necks. Invariably, the slogan implies that we will do everything within our power to gain back our inheritance. It is and will always remain "BIAFRA OR DEATH".

By Anderline Amamgbo

Edited by KeneChukwu HalleluYah Okekenta

Artist: Judy Chidimma

Published By Nwosu C.S

For Biafra Writers