Nigeria Investigating Connection Between Niger Delta Militants And Indigenous People Of Biafra Activists
SaharaReporters has exclusively
obtained a leaked confidential memorandum of the Office of the National
Security Adviser (NSA) showing that the office is investigating what are
described as the “subversive activities” of the Movement for the Actualization
of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB), and their alleged alliance with some Niger Delta militants.
The memorandum, which underlines
that the operations are in line with the NSA's directives regarding the
confirmation of the alleged activities, references “Special Operations covering
the South-East (SE) and the South-South (SS) Geo-political zones” by the
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
It described conversations
between NSA officials and prominent militant leaders and stakeholders in the
Niger Delta area. Included in the discussions was King Dodo II of the Bilabiri
Mein Kingdom of Bayelsa State, who “acted as an intermediary between the NSA
Team and a Militant Group known as Die Bullet Proof,” and the “Ebiril Group.” The memo noted that these groups “control the
axis of Azagbene/Egbemo-Anagalbiri territory in Bayelsa State.”
The date of the special
operations, October 11-17, appears to correspond to the intensification of
pro-Biafra demonstrations throughout the Southern States, suggesting a growing
concern by security services over the threat posed by Biafran nationalist
movements.
The NSA memo also sought
authorization to negotiate a deal with these militant groups which included the
“release of their members arrested by OP PULO SHIELD and currently detained in
Okaka prison” and the rehabilitation of “78 members of the Group in a programme
to be mutually agreed on by both parties.”
This leaked memo comes at a time
when pro-Biafran protests and the arrest of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu have
created an intense climate. The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike,
yesterday banned pro-Biafra demonstrations in the State on account of
insecurity and fear of damage to property.
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