Biafra @ 50: S'East under siege?

Never in my entire stay in Umuahia, not even when the Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo paid a visit to Umuahia, the Abia State capital have I seen and witnessed the show of force as exhibited by the Nigerian Police Force,  The Army,  even the Nigerian Prisons service and the FRSC! Like in the movies as if the FBI was hunting a terrorist, the surveillance helicopter hovered around the Isi gate axis first, at about 11.30 am. The distance from the helicopter to the ground was quite close, enough not only for one to read the large inscription of "Police" in blue paint,  but also the terrifying breeze that came with it scared street traders who took their heels. Their wares well balanced on their head, they took to their heels in fear that the large bird was about to crash. 

But I got the hint when not quite far off I could hear a siren blaring.  I knew quite well that the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu did not go around with sirens. That was part of his routine and what made him unique among other things.  So I knew it was either some dazed government official from out of state or the police!

But I did not need to wonder for long for along came the very long fleet of 4x4 cars.  Two hilux vans started off filled with police men armed to the teeth. Then came the Nigerian prisons van. So I took a long hard look at the van to see if they were transporting a prisoner but the van was also empty.  The convoy continued while the FRSC car stood out with its white and blue colour.  The last in the line was that belonging to the army, for they were also well kitted as if they were hunting down a terrorist or an armed gang. 

All these was amidst the noise of the helicopter and the fear and panic it created in the minds of common street traders. 

It was not long before I started connecting the dots.  Tomorrow has been slated to be Biafra Day and even traders in major markets I visited have been gisting about it, insisting that they won't be around tomorrow.

I though aloud,  so this show of force is not even to catch either any well known kidnapper or armed robber or Fulani herdsman but to put fear into the minds of unarmed civilians who have done nothing wrong - nothing at all. 

If a combination of Osinbajo, IGP,  Buratai and Oyeyemi among others will use this amount of security force on unarmed civilians,  why not apply same to kidnappers,  armed robbers and royalists, especially in the south east.  

Recently,  the Acting President took the podium to speak on Biafra at 50. His eloquence and flair caught alot of people but unfortunately he missed the crux of the matter which Dr Nnia Nwodo pointed out to him - the killing of unarmed civilians in the south east protesting for an independent statehood by state security.  One would have thought that after missing some of his friends and neighbours in that bloody war,  he ought to have had a sober reflection, and maybe issue a very stern warning and directive to security agencies to allow protesters and Nigerians go about their business because they have the right to exercise their freedom of speech and association among others.  But he didn't. 
Most of our leaders suffer from selective amnesia. I recommend they take more honey.  Is this not the same thing that started the north east uprising that snowballed into a full scale war ? Could this be handled differently? Can there be a referendum so that all parties will keep their traps shut and get to work on project Nigeria? Can a restructured Nigeria help assuage the feeling of marginalisation in sections of the Country?

But nobody, including those in the corridors of power will talk about till it gets out of hand.  We are sitting on a time bomb.  The South East is under siege. 

This evening again another helicopter with yellow and blue stripes hovered across Umuahia.  What is happening?

Is it part of the non verbal communication telling the Igbos that it was a total victory and nobody should speak up again while our rights are deprived of us. 

The world is watching. 
I hope my brother journalists will report this to the world.

SunnyBlac'