Customised Nnamdi Kanu, Biafra ‘Can Coke’ Hits S’East.

A new twist in the ongoing agitation by pro- Biafran group emerged on Thursday when the social media was awash with pictures purportedly claiming that soft drink giant, Coca- Cola, was supporting its cause with pictures of some Coca-Cola cans with the inscriptions “Nnamdi Kanu” and “Biafrans”. Kanu, who is the director of Radio Biafra and head of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested in Lagos in October 2015, a development which prompted widespread protests within and outside the country with pro-Biafra agitators calling for the independence of the Biafran territories.

Saturday Telegraph gathered that though Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) disassociated itself from the purported customised Coca-Cola can, the issue, however, elicited mixed reactions among Nigerians. Kalu, who is standing trial on six counts bordering on treasonable felony charges, was initially arrested for conspiracy and terrorism, which were later dropped.

However, it was gathered that some Biafran media outlets claimed that many shops across the country were now selling “specially customised” Coca-Cola drinks. An online news portal, Biafran Times, reported that:

“Many noted this as unprecedented as some also declared their interest in getting at least a few. Biafrans are exploring every available avenue to promulgate the gospel of the restoration of Biafra.”

Commenting on the development, the Head Legal Services, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, (NBC), Sade Morgan, said the management of the NBC was not aware of such customising of its products in the market or in the South-East.

She said though the company customises names on its can products, which is part of brand promotion in the “share open happiness” promo, such names, however, were duly scrutinised in accordance with the company’s ethical standard.

According to her, the company only uses one person’s name on each can bottle and any can with two names on it does not emanate from the NBC and is, therefore, illegal. The NBC Spokesperson said that the use of ‘Nnamdi Kanu’ and ‘Biafra’ to brand its products was unacceptable as it was not from the NBC.

Morgan stressed that because of the security risk in the country, the management of NBC would not be liable for any matter that could affect the peace and stability of the country, adding that the company will investigate the emergence of such can bottle products in circulation with a view to unravelling the truth. She added that the NBC as a responsible corporate organisation had contributed immensely to the development of Nigerian manufacturing sector for decades and would not do anytime that would incur the wrath of government and its agencies since it operates within the law of the land.

Morgan said: “We use this medium to distance ourselves as a corporate entity operating in Nigeria from the customised ‘Nnamdi Kanu’ and ‘Biafra’ can bottles branded in Coca-Cola’s products that are in circulation in the South East or wherever in Nigeria. “We don’t brand our Coca-Cola can bottle with two names, rather it’s one name we adopt. This illegal, customised can bottles do not come from us.

So, we wish to tell the general public that the NBC is a responsible corporate entity and will not be involved in any controversy that will disturb the peace and unity of Nigeria. “We are going to investigate this matter and we want relevant agencies to note that the customised can bottles in circulation are not from the NBC.”

Meanwhile, a pro-Biafran activist, Mr. Lotachukwu Okolie, has claimed that he is due to be “illegally deported” from Norway to Nigeria, where he fears his life will be in danger due to his activism.

Okolie, who claims to be one of the leaders of a movement calling for the independence of the Biafran territories, told International Business Times (IBTimes), United Kingdom, that he was currently being detained at the Trandum Detention Centre from where he would be deported to Nigeria anytime from now.

“I have been here at the deportation centre for more than one year and I already told them that instead of being deported, I will commit suicide here. “I am scared of going back to Nigeria because I am a Biafran leader here in Norway and Nigeria.

The Nigerian embassy [in Sweden] does not want to give me travel documents. I am tired of the politics, I am not a criminal, I am an activist. I am still suffering every day,” Okolie said. Justifying his fear with what had befallen Kanu, Okolie claimed he fled Nigeria in 2004 after being allegedly tortured in a prison.

Okolie’s friend, who spoke to IBTimes UK on condition of anonymity, said the activist was arrested in Nigeria due to his activities and escaped from the Oko Prison in Edo State in 2004. In 2013, he was made the leader of the IPOB in Norway.

He claimed that after Okolie met with the Norwegian parliament and organised a Biafran conference in Oslo in August 2014, he was contacted by some Nigerians living in Norway who asked him to stop advocating a breakaway.

“These individuals demanded Okolie should stop campaigning for Biafra restoration because the Nigerian embassy in Stockholm is aware that he escaped from Oko prison,” the source said and added that Okolie was then arrested.