I understand the struggle. The Biafran ideology existed before the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was formed and even before the emergence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB.

The Biafran ideology has been kept alive by the activities of IPOB. The Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Buhari has been at loggerheads with IPOB without evidence of due attention being paid to the basic ideas behind the Biafran agitation, such as the claim of marginalization and respect for human rights.

Proscribing IPOB as a terrorist organization was over the bar. Treating them “in the language they understand” is worse. Many are left wounded and scarred. Casualties seem to lie on both divides.

Whether provoked or unprovoked, members of IPOB have not been conducting themselves in quite a commendable manner, at least in recent times. This has led to several grave allegations being leveled against the Group.

Talking about misguided moves, for instance, IPOB had announced a weekly sit-at-home order in solidarity with the leader of the Group held in captivity – An order that seeks to grind activities to a halt every Monday in areas marked as Biafran regions, especially in the South East of Nigeria. There appears to be due compliance, borne out of willingness as well as compulsion (real and technical). Technical compulsion in terms of those who sat at home out of fear for IPOB “Law enforcement wing”; including business organizations like banks who shut down to avoid perceived danger.

We have read reports of vehicles destroyed and persons grievously attacked for disobeying the sit-at-home order – An order which IPOB leadership has now reportedly relaxed with a commitment to deal with any member or members still purporting to enforce it.

I personally tried to engage some persons fully identifying with IPOB, both as members or as merely Biafran agitators regarding the enforcement procedures. I raised issues bordering on what appeared to be human rights abuses. I was told that anyone who disobeys IPOB’s orders deserves to die. I was terrified. I tried to educate and re-educate them on the core mandates of Human Rights – Rights attaching to every human being which States and everyone must respect. When these rights find their way into written laws of States like we have in Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), they are called Fundamental Rights. We also have them in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These other international legal instruments are respected across Africa and the world.

Curiously, there appears to be doubt whether IPOB which laments that the Nigerian Government lacks respect for human rights respect human rights. To take actions capable of destroying lives and properties for failure to obey sit-at-home order is against the dictates of human rights.

Without due regard to human rights, IPOB’s dream of a land of the rising sun might be a land of the dying sun for those who will make it there.