BIAFRA: Let's maintain the Original Map rather than creating a new one - BNYL

Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has cautioned pro-Biafra agitators to stop including South South as part of the proposed republic.

This is contained in a statement on Saturday by BNYL Deputy Leader and Head of Operations, Biafra Broadcasting Service, Ebuta Ogar Takon.

He recalled the declaration by MASSOB on July 5, 2017 which sparked reaction by Ijaw Youth Council and the recent proclamation by spokespersons of IPOB, Emma Powerful and Clifford Iroanya, declaring South South and Middle Belt as Biafra territory.

Takon said the groups were acting childishly by repeatedly making territorial declarations.

He wrote: “What they keep saying is an insult to us. Are they to include us in Biafra, an ancient region with a bight that lies at our backyard.

“There are lot of people from South South in Biafra struggle that the media do not cover their participation, instead they focus on Igbo agitators.

“Some BNYL members who are from South South participated in most of the protest of which they are fully aware”.

Ebuta Takon, a Cross Riverian advised pro Biafra agitators of Igbo extraction to respect the opinion of the minorities.

“We know who we are, but due to misunderstanding some deny the fact they are Biafrans. Geographically, Cross River is more in the east than the Igbo and any part of Biafra.”

“Agitators ought to understand that in a multi ethnic region like the old Eastern region, ethnic tension and inferiority complex are expected. It is normal, it doesn’t mean we don’t know our relationship”.

He added that the minorities of the east fought and died for Biafra, and suffered loss alongside the Igbo after the war.

“We were victims of the 1966 Igbo massacre”.

BNYL further warned on the implications of involving any region that was not part of the east.

“The middle belt should be allowed to decide. I have not seen any notable activist talking about Biafra from that side. History never recorded we were together.

“I would advise that we face Biafra sovereignty and maintain the main map, than trying to create another conflict after independence, if there are Igbos in that part as some claim, it is round-table conclusion”.

Takon said the BNYL will not support autocratic individuals and drastic decisions, insisting that “all Biafrans especially the agitators from all sections must sit to agree”.