Mr Hector Ukabiala, a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian military of burning down his house and poultry farm over alleged killing of a soldier by unknown gunmen in Awomama, Imo State.
He made the allegations from his hiding place against the backdrop of his inability to regain his business since the unfortunate incident happened.
He said most times, IPOB members come to his restaurant to eat and relax and sometimes had some of their meetings in his shop for strategy on how to actualize Biafra.
He said he also provides assistance during sensitisation with logistics by offering his buses to be used for easy transportation to the reach the public.
According to him, on November 21, 2021 a soldier was killed by unknown gunmen in Awomama in Oru local government in Imo state.
“Two days later, Army came in their numbers shooting in the area, they went to the extent of burning houses. In this process, my poultry that has about 2000 birds was burnt down.
He said his restaurant and buses were also burnt down, adding that When he inquired to know why such attack on his business and properties, he was told that it was because of his membership of IPOB.
Ukabiala said, he has never being involved in violence and has not in anyway supported violence, adding that he believed in peaceful agitation.
Recounting his experience, Ukabiala said, ” on December 31, 2021, I left my hiding place for a meeting in Anambra state that would last for 7 days.
“When the meeting was going on, there were some documents I was supposed to come with that I forgot at home.
“On January 5, 2022, I came home to collect it, I didn’t spend more than 5 minutes to collect the paper and went back to Anambra where we were having our meeting.
” In the mid night, the soldiers believing I was around came to my house around 12am looking for me, when they could not see me, they burnt my house and the whereabout of my family is unknown” he said.
