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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
A United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Chukwudi Emmanuel Onwuegbuke, has disclosed that though he is home-sick and desirous of returning to see his immediate family after close to two years outside Nigeria, he however, cannot do so because of certain peculiarities connected to his involvement in the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) while he was in Nigeria.
Speaking to Sunday Sun from his base in UK, Onwuegbuke, also claimed that his involvement in IPOB activities resulted in his leaving the country in February last year through Virgin Atlantic Airline (VS412) after securing a visa from the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.
How long have you been out of the country?
It has been over one year since I travelled out of Nigeria. I secured a visa from the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos and left the country precisely on February 10, 2024 through the Virgin Atlantic Airline (VS412). It was a memorable and historic breakthrough for me.
Can you describe the circumstances that led to your travelling out of Nigeria?
It was basically in connection with my involvement with the activities of IPOB, the umbrella association for the Indigenous People of Biafra, which I am a proud member. We are a harmless, non-political pressure group with a primary objective to seek self-determination of our gravely marginalised geopolitical zone.
I felt that since the Nigeria government was hunting our members with the security agencies, I was not wanted by the country I call my own, despite the fact that it is within my rights under the UN Charter to seek self determination.
During those days, we held a series of meetings and part of our decisions was to engage in civil disobedience to drive home our demands. I was one of the outspoken members and this clearly marked me out among the targets of the security agencies.
We were hunted for like common criminals, forcing many of us to go into hiding for our safety. So, I decided to leave the country since I was not wanted instead of resigning to fate and waiting for the government of my home country to arrest and hoard me into detention custody without trial, as they did to many of our members.
Unfortunately, I am still on the government’s wanted list till date, which has resulted in my avoiding my country, Nigeria. However, I don’t have any regret being a member of IPOB.
A lot happened while we were in the struggle, however, I was so lucky to escape with my life. Some of my friends in the trenches then were not that lucky to make it and I don’t even know whether they are still alive or dead.
Our precarious situation came to the head when the Nigerian government arbitrarily designated us a terrorist organisation for reason other than that we were demanding for our rights, even without weapons but in harmless protests.
As a member of IPOB, the Nigerian government did not only declare me wanted, but also sent armed police and armed military personnel to arrest me on several occasions.
I was lucky not to be at home the moment they came to effect the arrest. My life became seriously in danger because of police and military brutality in Nigeria particularly against the IPOB members and the hatred they have on my tribe (Igbo)
Having settled in the UK, what are those striking differences between living in Nigeria and living in the UK?
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The striking differences between living in the two countries are distinctly so much. The UK is a country where democracy works, it is a country where people enjoy a sound justice system, and a country that respects human rights and freedom of speech. It is a country that harmless agitations are treated with concerns and dignity.
The situation in UK is entirely different from that of Nigeria. There is no justice, no human rights, no rule of law and no freedom of speech in Nigeria. Most people, especially in the South East geopolitical zone, leave under fear of torture, intimidation and discrimination.
What are those things you are missing most about Nigeria having spent over year in the UK?
I am not missing anything with the kind of accommodating people living in the UK. Diaspora Nigerians in the UK are well behaved people, they respect each other and obey the rule of law.
Initially, it was my family in Nigeria and then the special kind of diet I had become used to while I was at home, but I have overcome them since.
When do you hope to visit your motherland again?
I am not planning to visit Nigeria any soon until the Nigeria government stops the hostilities, torture and killings of the members of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB). As you know, my situation is even more precarious because I am still on their wanted list.
What is the kind of relationship among Nigerians in the UK?
Nigerians in the UK have a very good or do I say perfect understanding among themselves. There is that fraternity, camaraderie and comradeship among Nigerians in the UK. There is no display of those ethnic fault lines like Nigerians deliberately do in the country.
Will you consider marrying another wife, perhaps a foreign wife since you are far from your Nigerian wife?
I am a happily married man with children. I love my wife and my children, so I don’t wish to marry again. It is not even crossing my mind for now.
Are you among those that would have loved to visit Nigeria due to the pressures from your families at home but stopped by Federal Government hunting them over their previous involvement in IPOB activities?
Of course, yes. I would have wished to see my family but I cannot because I was afraid to go back home in Nigeria due to the continued hostile attitude of the government in its brutalities and killings of our people, particularly the outspoken members of the IPOB.
What do you think of the hostilities of the Federal Government on the South East Security Network (ESN)?
The hostilities of the Nigerian government to the people of the South Eastern states (Igbo) as I mentioned earlier, are very terrible. The government has continued with the killings, destroying of property and torturing of peaceful agitators. And the way it is going, there may not be end to in the nearest future.
