In a statement released on Saturday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on youths in the Southeast region of Nigeria to refrain from participating in the British army’s recruitment drive.
The pro-Biafran group has warned that this is a “deceptive” plot by the British government to “use and dump” the young Africans.
IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, pointed to the historical treatment of African soldiers who fought for the British during the World Wars. He noted that many of these soldiers who died defending Britain were never properly recognized, and those who survived were sent back to Africa without any compensation, while their British and European counterparts were duly rewarded.
The statement read, “IPOB is calling on Biafran youths to avoid being used as sacrificial lambs by the British government, which has no respect for you or your lives. The British government has commenced the recruitment of Africans to fight their wars as they did decades ago.”
IPOB argued that for Britain to become a superpower, thousands of Africans were exploited and “used as sacrificial lambs” during the two World Wars. The group warned that the ongoing plan to recruit Africans, especially Biafrans, will not be tolerated, as the people of Biafra will not be sacrificed for a nation that does not recognize them as human beings.
The statement concluded by urging Biafran parents to advise their children against joining the British military, and for the youths themselves to be wise and not become “sacrificial lambs” for their oppressors. Instead, IPOB called on the youths to join hands with the group in the quest to restore the Biafran nation.
