The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it is ready to submit itself to ”any public commission of inquiry or panel set up by the Senate” over the clash between its members and the Army.
A statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said the group would see any panel set up by the Senate as an opportunity to demonstrate that it is not an arm carrying group.
It said: ”We would cooperate with any public commission of inquiry or panel set up by the Senate to ascertain what truly happened before, during and in the aftermath of Operation Python Dance II.
”Without prejudicing the outcome of any this or any other Senate inquiry, we see this as a welcome opportunity to demonstrate to all and sundry that IPOB was never and can never and will never bear arms against anybody or state. This is a golden opportunity for Nigerian lawmakers to ascertain the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
”We strongly urge the National Assembly to investigate the activities of IPOB thoroughly because we have nothing to fear. They should also look into the recent killings of unarmed civilian populations in Afaraukwu Umuahia and Aba in the ongoing military occupation of Biafraland.
”We are also calling on United Nation UN, European Union EU, African Union AU, ECOWAS, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, USA, Israel, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and other relevant human rights groups to probe IPOB.”