How Sen. Ike Ekweremadu was attacked with stones, yam in Germany by IPOB members (Video)
Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was at the receiving end of angry members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), when they pounced on him in Löwensaal am Tier Garten, Nuremberg, venue for the annual New Yam Festival of the Igbo.
Reports have it that the action of the IPOB members were in obedience to the directives given to them by their leader, Nnamdi Kanu who have directed the members to attack prominent Igbo leaders who have ‘sold out’ on their dream of creating the Biafran Republic.
In a video that captured the incidence, the lawmaker who has served in the Senate since 2003, was seen being pelted with stones, yam, sticks and water packs.
Ekweremadu who appeared at the event dressed in a native attire with the Nigerian coat of arms all over it, was supposed to give a keynote address at the event but the angry IPOB youths would not allow him into the venue as they began to harass him before pouncing on him.
The New Yam Festival holds at the end of the rainy season in August and symbolizes the conclusion of the harvest and the beginning of a new planting season.
The age-long festival is celebrated across Nigeria and the world wherever the Igbo people live.
While attending the event at Nuremberg, Ekweremadu was seen being attacked by a mob who tore his cloth and dragged him out of the event.
In the video clips, the angry mob was seen preventing the lawmaker from escaping, but he was later whisked away in a Mercedes-Benz car, even as the mob continued to beat him.
As the scene played out, some onlookers, dressed in traditional Igbo attire, were heard condemning the assault meted to the former deputy senate president.
One of the onlookers was heard saying, “This is wicked; why now? It’s not good.”
Watch the video here:
Confirming the attack on him, Ekweremadu had this to say:
Senator Ike Ekweremadu Speaks.
“I Was Attacked by IPOB in Germany
I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nurnberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however could not make it eventually.
I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.
I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue.
Much as I am disappointed in their conduct, especially as I am one of the persons, who have spoken up on justice for Ndigbo, the Python Dance, judicial killings in Igbo land and elsewhere both on the floor of the Senate and in my written and personal engagements with the Presidency as well as rallied the South East Senate Caucus to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe taking him on bail to douse tension in the South East, I nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.
I have received thousands of solidarity calls and messages from well-meaning Ndigbo and Nigerians. I want to assure them that I am hale and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.”
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