By Emmanuel Nduka
Ahead of this year’s festive period, separatist group – the Indigenous People of Biafra, has issued security travelling advice to Igbos in Diaspora.
Simon Ekpa, its self-acclaimed leader who is a Finland-based lawyer on exile, issued the security travelling advice in a statement on Tuesday.
He warned his kinsmen to remain in whatever countries they are to celebrate this year’s Yuletide for security reasons.
According to him, kidnappers are looking for returnees to kidnap in exchange for ransom in Nigeria.
He added that those abroad should send their families money this festive period instead of returning to the southeastern part of Nigeria.
“Those telling you to come back for Christmas are kidnappers; they are out of cash, and their only hope is to kidnap you for ransom during Christmas.
“The Biafra government has warned all Biafrans in Diaspora to remain where they are during this Christmas for security reasons. Send your ticket money to your families back home; they need the money more than you risk your life going to Nigeria for Christmas.
“Terrorists will begin hunting for Biafra returnees.
“All the Nigeria terrorist forces will be hunting for Biafrans that will return home and possibly kill some of them.
“The Nigeria IPOB criminals will be ready to kidnap you since that has been their business.
“Staying In the Diaspora will help the Biafra Liberation Army and other Biafra forces tackle security challenges better as they will be less distracted”, he was quoted as saying.
Heritage Times HT reports that the Nigerian Government has proscribed the separatist group as a terrorist organization, and has since ordered several special military operations across Nigeria’s southeastern region.
