The Nigerian Embassy in Berlin has requested a thorough
investigation into the attack on the former deputy senate president, Mr. Ike
Ekweremadu in that country’s city of Nuremburg by members of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB).
The embassy said in a press statement yesterday that the investigation would reveal the perpetrators of the assault and bring them swiftly to justice in accordance with German laws.
It added that those who launched the offensive against the senator on August 17 will be prosecuted under German laws, which stipulate fine or imprisonment of up to 10 years for physical assaults, depending on the gravity.
The embassy the threat level of the event had been classified as “minimal” by the German police, hence the lack of security personnel at the event.
The statement reads: “The Embassy of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany, wishes to react to viral videos of a vicious physical attack on the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, by some members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in Nuremberg on August 17.
“The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany on the platform of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.
“The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event, but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.
“The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German laws.”
It would be recalled that Ekweremadu was physically assaulted in Nuremburg during the celebration of New Yam Festival by Igbo community in that country.
Justifying the attack, IPOB spokesman, Mr. Emma Powerful said in a statement that it was carried out in obedience to the long-standing command by the Biafran leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu to “hound all instigators of Operation Python Dance.”
He also said all the southeast governors, save the governor of Imo State, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, would be given the Ekweremadu treatment in any of the over 100 countries where he claimed “IPOB is strategically located.”
Those targeted for attack are the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, the governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi, his counterparts in Abia and Anambra states, Messrs Okezie Ikpeazu and Willie Obiano as well as some other Igbo leaders whenever they step out of Nigeria to any of those countries where the group has affiliates.
The statement reads: “Yesterday, being the 17th day of August 2019 the Nuremberg IPOB family in Germany in keeping with the long-standing directive from our leader to hound all instigators of Operation Python Dance, IPOB is glad to report that Ike Ekweremadu was confronted and duly hounded out of a so-called New Yam Festival event in Germany.
“Despite repeated warnings to the organisers of these jamborees that Enugu, Ebonyi and other parts of Biafraland is under siege by Fulani caliphate and their collaborators within, they went ahead to invite a known traitor, co-conspirator and one of those that worked with Igbo governors to proscribe and tag IPOB a terror organisation while they never raised any voice against murderous Fulani herdsmen.
“This should serve as a warning to Nnia Nwodo, Dave Umahi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Willie Obiano and co that any day we find them in a public event abroad, they will be humiliated. IPOB is strategically located in over 100 countries around the world. Anywhere we find them, they will be dealt with,” said IPOB spokesman.
Meanwhile, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force, (NDPSF), Mr. Asari Dokubo, has lashed out at Kanu describing him as an “ingrate.”
In a video, Dokubo condemned the attack, saying Ekweremadu spearheaded Kanu’s release from prison.
“Fellow Biafrans, I saw this coming: that a Frankenstein monster was being created. I saw the signal, I saw the red flag and I warned you that if something is not done about Nnamdi Kanu, he will consume the Igbo people. And you did not listen.
“Ekweremadu, who I know very well, was one of the people who made this ingrate, Nnamdi Kanu, to come out of prison.
“I am privy to most of the discussions and I feel very sad. I participated in those meetings. Ike Ekweremadu and Abaribe were the arrowheads that moved for the release of this ingrate.
“If this dangerous path is not stopped among Igbo Biafrans, where one man arrogates to himself the right to give life and to pronounce death, you will be in fire because others will fight him,” he said in the video.
But the All Progressives Congress (APC) differed with Dokubo by passing the buck to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the spokesman for the APC, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, the “monster” called IPOB was created by the PDP.
“All Progressives Congress, APC, strongly condemns the attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past Deputy Senate President and serving Senator by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in Nuremberg, Germany.
“Those involved in the despicable actions and the organisation they represent are unworthy in character. No Nigerian should be assaulted in the manner Senator Ekweremadu was.
“It would be recalled that the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its leaders chose to play politics over a matter that called for collective patriotic actions, when IPOB raised a terror group in the South-East.
“It is clear that PDP and its other short-sighted co-travellers, who were the main cheerleaders of IPOB, owe this country an apology. IPOB hid under regional identity to perpetrate criminality having recruited some misguided elements and miscreants,” said Issa-Onilu in a statement.
