Production Of Biafra International Passport: Printers In Somolu Lagos Panic

Commercial printers in the Somolu Area of Lagos State are living in fear over the report that the production of Biafra International Passport may have been allegedly carried out in the community.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Joe Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), had recently said:

“The command is looking in the direction of Somolu as the biggest community in the state where there is a large number of printing press regarding the alleged production of the Biafran passport.” He added: “We are looking in that area of the state for possible investigation.”

But in a swift reaction, the printers denied knowledge of the production of the passports in the community. A printer who identified himself simply as Adewunmi said: “when we read in the paper about the production of the Biafra international passports in the area, it came to me as a big surprise.

“We have different people involved in printing business in Somolu, but it is difficult for us to identify who are those who got the production business.” Another printer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “We are going to look inward, within our members and investigate the production; if any of our members is caught printing the passports such company would be dealt with according to the constitution of our association.

“To the best of my knowledge no member of our association is involved in that kind of illegal production, but if such company is discovered to be in our midst we will definitely deal with it.” He further said some of them had been in the businesses for about 30 years, and that they don’t involve themselves in shady deals, as they want their brand and business protected.

“I urge the federal government to resolve any differences they may have with the leadership of the movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to prevent the repeat of the first civil war.” Commenting on the development, Chairman of the Association of Professional Printers (APP), Somolu Chapter, Mr. John Prince, said the association had heard of the printing of such passports but reiterated that:

“We have educated our members not to engage in such an ‘illegal’ business.” He added: “Immediately we read about the production of the Biafra International Passport we held series of educative seminars and security trainings for our members about the dangers associated with such production.” The chairman also noted: “We are into legitimate business; some of the young generation printers who are in desperate need of quick money were those educated on the dangers associated with the business.
[National Mirror]