By Chris Onuoha

A faction of pro-Biafran agitators called The Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE) has threatened that it will shut down Federal government offices in the southeast of Nigeria if the militarisation of the region continues.

The group also stated that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally, while referendum for Biafra acceptance should be complied by the federal government.

This was made known through its X account, where it stated that the IPOB leader who has been incarceration by the Nigerian government since 2021 deserves freedom, after the heightened call by Nigerian lawmakers and politicians for his release.

BRGIE in the statement noted that businesses, markets, banks and hospitals will be exempted from the lockdown, adding that only federal government establishments will remain barred.

“The Biafra government is notifying the intended lockdown of all Nigeria government offices within Biafra territory for a month. The details of the exercise will be communicated in a State of the Union address soon.

“Our demands are simple and include withdrawal of all Nigeria’s security forces and agencies from all Biafra land; acceptance of the Biafra self referendum that has recorded over 49million votes and last the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafra political prisoners held by the federal government.

“The lockdown does not apply to traders, markets, businesses, banks and hospitals”, BRGIE stated.

BRGIE noted that incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu was part of some reasons youth protested in #Endbadgovernance and hunger exercise.