As the burial ceremony of late war veteran, Col. Joseph Achuzia begins, Biafran groups spread across the south eastern states of Nigeria have condemned the hard stance of the family members who categorically banned pro-Biafran groups from participating in the burial ceremony.
In a communiqué signed on behalf of the 24 groups by Uchenna Madu, representing MASSOB; Okechukwu Orji representing EPC and Eberechukwu Anigbogu representing MOBIN, the coalition “frowned at the reprehensive stance of the family and without fear of contradiction maintained that it’s a shame that such a position was taken in the burial of a great Biafran-who lived all his life defending Biafra and Biafrans.”
The group said in as much as Achuzia may have had a great many laurels to his name, he was best known for defending Biafra and all it stood for.
It said Achuzia was a warrior of the Biafran war and secretary general of the Supreme Council of Elders of the remnants of the Biafra territory, and remained in active service even in old age till death.
The communiqué further read: “We received with rude shock the position of the family and see it as a great insult to the collective intelligence of all Biafrans, especially war veterans and not just Biafrans, but every right thinking people in the world.
“It is an insult on late Achuzia who has also attended several Biafracentric burials in his lifetime and also wished to be buried as a Biafran.
“It is on record that our late leader had specifically stated during his lifetime, that three categories of people should be allowed to bury him, including Pro-Biafran groups.
“Therefore, the position of the family goes contrary to the wishes of their father and as such, could attract curses upon those who have thwarted the last wishes of “Air Raid.”
“We have waited patiently for a possible change of heart by the family, but they have vehemently decided to stand against the wishes of their late father for reasons best known to them.
“Consequently, we state here, without fear of contradiction that we will stay away from the said burial and allow the family do whatever they deem fit
“Like the Pontius Pilate, we are washing our hands from this calamitous act perpetrated by late Achuzia’s’ family.”
The 24 represented groups are listed below:
Biafra United Liberation Front (BULF)
Biafra Peace and Civil Defence Corps (BPCDC)
Eastern Peoples’ Congress (EPC)
Igbo Youth Cultural and Restoration Initiative (IYCRI)
Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI)
Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN)
Salvation People (SP)
World Union of Biafran Scientists (WUBS)
Shadow Government of Biafra (SGB)
Biafran National Liberation Council (BNLC)
Biafran Revolutionary Organisation (BRO)
Biafran Liberation Crusade (BLC)
Joint Revolutionary Council of Biafra (JRCB)
Biafra Revolutionary Force (BRF)
Customary Government of Biafra (CGB)
Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)
Biafrans in Diaspora (BD)
Biafran Intellectual Clergy Forum (BICF)
Biafran Movement for Sovereignty (BIAMOS)
Foundation for the Empowerment of the Victims of War and Next of Kins (FEVWNK)
Biafran Central Council (BCC)
Biafran United Liberation Council (BULCO
