Enugu Government House Attack: Pro Biafran Group Claims Responsibility

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines Thursday, March 13th, 2014

members of Biafra protesers

Barrister Benjamin Onwuka, leader of pro-Biafra group, "Biafra Zionist Movement"

…Warns Police To Free Its Arrested Members

Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

Barrister Benjamin Onwuka, led pro-Biafra group, “Biafra Zionist Movement”, (BZM), has claimed responsibility for last Saturday’s early morning invasion of Enugu State Government House.

members of Pro-Biafra Group

Onwuka, a British trained lawyer, said members of his group took control of the Enugu State seat of power for almost four hours after they successfully hoisted the flag of the Republic of Biafra and some banners at the main gate.

Briefing newsmen Wednesday in Enugu, Onwuka, stated that their motive was to hoist the Biafra flag and “reconfirm the independence of the Republic of Biafra.”

African Examiner reports that no fewer than 500 members of the Biafra Zionist Federation were arrested and detained by the police on November 5, 2012, at Enugu, after it re-declared the Republic of Biafra.

According to the rebel group, Nigeria “must vacate Biafra by March 31 and failure to do so will result in a blood bath.” they warned

Onwuka, who claimed he led the Enugu attack, told reporters that “since January 12, 1970, the Biafra flag has never rested in Government House, Enugu, which is the Biafra’s centre of power.”

The rebel leader, said they were not armed during the invasion, adding that they only brought flags, sticks and ropes to hoist the flags, which also included that of Israel.

His words: “We don’t know how the police came up with the story of machetes, cutlasses and charms.”

He said: “What we did on March 8 was to re-confirm the independence of the Republic of Biafra, which we successfully did. We didn’t attack the Government House. But we captured it for the Biafra people.

“We battled for four hours from 3 a.m. By 7 a.m., we retreated because we didn’t have any weapons, to avoid loss of life.

“And the reason why we did it was to show the Biafra people that the hope of Biafra is still alive. And nothing shall quench the aspirations of the people to be independent. And that independence has resurrected.

“So the Biafra flag was raised at the Government House on March 8. And I, Benjamin Igwe Onwuka led the operation.” He declared without any fear.

However, the group warned the Enugu state police command to free four of its members they arrested.

“Those boys must be freed now because what Nigeria is going to face soon would not be forgotten easily. Onwuka threatened.

The BZM boss, also used the media briefing to sue for unity among various PRO -Biafra groups, such as MASSOB, MEND, Bakassi Peninsular Boys, Zionism among others.

The group had, during the briefing drew a new map of Biafra, which included Benue, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and southern Ondo, saying there is no parallel line between these states.