'We're holding you responsible if anything happens" - Family of missing IPOB member tells FG to produce their son

 

Hundreds of pro-Biafra supporters wave flags and chant songs as they march through the streets of Aba, southeastern Nigeria, to call for the release of a key activist on November 18, 2015. The protesters support the creation of a breakaway state of Biafra in the southeast and want the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is believed to be a major sponsor of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and director of the pirate radio station Radio Biafra. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

The family of Clement Nwosu of Nnewi town in the Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State has asked the Federal Government to produce their son, Bartholomew.

Bartholomew has been missing since May 29, 2016, when the Indigenous People of Biafra commemorated the anniversary of Igbo fallen heroes and heroines during the 1967 Nigerian Civil War.

He was said to have gone to Nkpor junction in the Idemili North Local Government Area, near Onitsha, to join other members of the group to protest the perceived ill-treatment of the Igbo by the government.

It was learnt that the troops deployed in the area to quell the protest opened fire on the protesters, allegedly killing hundreds of them in the process.

Bartholomew’s brother, Ejike, told PUNCH Metro in Lagos that the family had been worried about the fate of their son because they were unsure if he was dead or alive.

According to him, the family reported the case of a missing person at the Onitsha Police Station, adding that each time they enquired, the police always asked them to wait since they were still investigating Bartholomew’s disappearance.

He said the family was tired of waiting, noting that it would be wrong to assume that Bartholomew was dead.

Ejike stated, “Since May 29, 2016, we have not seen our brother. He was part of the group that mourned the departed Biafran soldiers during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967. Along the line, the troops that were sent to monitor the event in case of a breakdown of law and order embarked on the killing of innocent Nigerians.

“He was in front that day; we don’t know whether he is dead or alive, that is why we are asking anyone who knows his whereabouts to contact the Nigeria Police Force or any of his relatives. We have exercised enough patience; we thought that he would return but up till now, we have not found him.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Haruna Mohammed, confirmed that the family had reported the case of a missing person.

He stated that the police had opened the case file, adding that the command was working on the case.

Mohammed said, “The family reported the case of a missing person to the police. The police will have to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. You cannot come through the back door and accuse the police of not being forthcoming on your brother’s whereabouts when you are the very person that reported the matter to the police.

“It is just like any other incident that you report to the police and the police will investigate it. Let him (Ejike) allow the police to investigate the matter. The police cannot hide his brother; we are not responsible for his disappearance. The police have been investigating it; the case file is still open; until the police have a clue or a link as to the circumstances surrounding the incident before we can come out and say what has happened to the missing person.”