From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Diaspora have defied the call by the pro Biafra group leadership to return home for the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The IPOB had in a statement by its Media and Publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, urged IPOB members and Igbo people in general I return home.
He assured such people who wished to return home this festive season that ESN operatives will provide a peaceful atmosphere during the period.
The group promised to protect the Igbo people residing in the Diaspora from insecurity if they return home for the xmas and new year festivities.
“IPOB will provide security for the land of Biafra. IPOB has called on Ndigbo to return their investments home to encourage more development for employment for Biafran youths. We are committed to making sure that the investments are secure.”
However, a statement by Chidiebere Irolewe, Kalu Oji Agu, Ndubuisi Uba and Igwe Obasi, said they can’t return home because they are afraid of arrest by the Nigerian security agents.
They said they would like to return, but due the present security challenges in the South East, coupled with the clampdown on IPOB members by security agents, they will find it difficult to return home.
Sources revealed the four were IPOB members and deeply involved in her activities in Nigeria and were detained and tortured on many occasions before they fled to Europe.
The sources further stated that the four IPOB members in the Diaspora, believed to be on the watchlist of security agents, and could risk being arrested should they come back home.