Asaba – Families of Civil War veteran and Biafran hero, Col. Joseph ‘Hannibal’ Achuzia has proscribed the activities of Biafra, MOSSOB, and anything making reference to such unregistered political movements at the burial ceremony of their father.
They warned that security agencies and others have been informed that the family does not want placards, uniforms, flags and others at the burial to stop reactions from any quarters at the burial, which must be crisis free.
Chairman of the Burial Committee, Ogbueshi Ejiofor Onyia, posited on Tuesday in a chat with journalists in Asaba, announced formally that their brother has passed away maintaining that since they are determined to give him a peaceful burial they have decided to stop any protest, demonstration, banners, uniforms and others.
Flanked by the children of the celebrated soldier, Onyia said different organisations such as Ohaneze Ndigbo which he served as its Secretary General, Churches, state governments from the South-South and South East, traditional institutions have been informed and have given their consent to the development so that he burial would not be hijacked for political reasons so that peace can reign.
According to him, everybody must abide by the family procedures as given by the family, and that the family will not entertain any unnecessary utterances from any quarter, group or individuals, warning that for him to live p to 90 years means he lied a good life and he needs peace.
“The whole world will have to honour him as he will be buried sitting down as a High Chief, traditional title holder and that there will not be lying in state except the Day of Tribute in Enugu’’
He continued: “We are guarded that people may take laws into their hands. We have briefed the Commissioner of Police, the Governor of the state of our procedures and the way we want them.
“They have assured us that they will use different means to secure the burial from being hijacked by anybody or group. We are aware of the plans of the groups and others and as such we are well guided. We shall make sure the burial is crisis free,’’ Onyia assured.
Prior to joining the Biafran army in May 1967, Achuzia had been a soldier in the Nigerian army. He fled to the South-East in fear of anti-Igbo sentiment among the Nigerian army the war. Achuzia was a traditional stakeholder in the affairs of Asaba as he held the title of Ikemba of Asaba till his death
Achuzia died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State after a brief illness, according to one of his sons, Mr. Benedict Onyeka Achuzia. The late Colonel Joseph Achuzia (rtd) was born in 1929. He was a major in the Biafran army during the Nigeria Civil War of 1967 to 1970.
The 21-gun salute was shot to traditionally announce the demise of the Ikemba of Asaba to indigenes of the town. At his residence at Idumujei Quarters of Asaba, it is an atmosphere of grief as Asaba natives continue to troop in to sympathize with the bereaved family.
Onyeke said: “My father was the best dad ever. I was so sad when he gave up, and I can’t help it. Even when he was entering the mortuary, I couldn’t believe,” Onyeka said.
