In response to a purported plot by the Federal Government to use witnesses in masks in the trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, two militant groups in the Niger Delta have vowed to confront the government if Kanu is not released unconditionally.
The groups, Concerned Militant Leaders (CML) and Niger Delta People’s Democratic Front (NDPDF), said in two separate statements in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday that they were ready for an uprising aimed at forcing the hand of the Federal Government, Sunday Sun reports.
While General Ben spoke on behalf of CML, NDPDF’s statement was signed by Precious Iyoyo (alias General Playboy).
General Ben said a 31-day ultimatum given for the release of Kanu would expire by Monday, February 22, after which his group would lead an uprising in Abia, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said: “We are ready for Federal Government, which said we would be treated as criminals and saboteurs. The 31-day ultimatum will expire on Monday. We are ready and will attack them in Abia, Anambra and Abuja, where they shed the blood of Biafran brothers and ssters.
“We are not going to attack the civilians per se; but we are going to attack the presence of the Federal Government in the areas. If President Buhari could not clear Boko Haram in six months, as he told Nigerians, why didn’t he focus attention on the North? Why did he waste the blood of Biafrans people?
“We are in solidarity with the Biafran struggle and there is no going back. We are taking our revenge. We are not going to spare them. We don’t believe in much talk. Enough is enough.”
In the same vein, General Playboy said it was unimaginable that the Nigerian government was planning to try someone for treason using witnesses in masks.
He appealed to the United Nations to prevail on the Nigerian government to free Kanu, a move which he said would guarantee peace in the country.
He said: “If this nonsense is allowed to go on, lives of innocent people, both Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and foreigners will go down.
Many countries parted for peace, why is the case of Nigeria and biafra too difficult? To be together is not by force.
“If they (UN) don’t intervene in this matter, and Nigerian government goes ahead to execute its plans to annihilate Biafrans, we will cripple the economy of this country. All eyes are on government not only Kanu but on Tompolo too. The government is treading on very rough and dangerous path.”