Category: Lead

•Govt aims for 18% tax to GDP ratio •Oyedele heads tax reforms, fiscal policy committee •The Economist hails Tinubu’s ‘impressive first moves’

The Federal Government yesterday launched an ambitious tax drive aimed at doubling revenue over the next three years.

The ways and means of the revenue generation initiative will be worked out by a panel constituted by President Bola Tinubu.

Heading the panel is Taiwo Oyedele, fiscal policy partner and Africa tax leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Oyedele, who was recently quoted as saying the federal government could generate N20 trillion revenue annually “if it is not lazy” will be assisted by experts from both the private and public sectors, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, said in a statement.

According to Alake, the panel will “enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting and promote the effective utilization of tax and other revenues.”

The objective, he said, was to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum tax to gross domestic product ratio of 18% within the next three years.

Nigeria’s Tax-to-GDP ratio in the last 12 years has hovered between 5 per cent and 6 per cent and rose to 10.86 per cent by the end of 2021.

In effect, the new initiative will allow government to generate revenue in relation to the size of the country’s GDP.

A tax-to-GDP ratio provides a useful look at a country’s tax revenue because it reveals potential taxation relative to the economy.

Nigeria’s GDP was worth $477.39 billion in 2022, according to official data from the World Bank.

Going by President Bola Tinubu’s projections, government is targeting around N32.9 trillion tax revenue as against the current N10.1 trillion recorded by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for 2022.

If realised, the federal government could comfortably service the country’s debts now heading to N80 trillion on account of the Naira devaluation.

The new administration has made it clear that it wants to harvest more revenue but in humane and attractive manner.

Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, Mr. Adelabu Adedeji, while speaking on the creation of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms said: “Our aim is to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum of 18 per cent Tax to GDP ratio within the next three years without stifling investment or economic growth.

Nigeria’s low Tax-to-GDP ratio, Adedeji said, “has led to an overreliance on borrowing to finance public spending which in turn limits the fiscal space as debt service costs consume a greater portion of government revenue, annually resulting in a vicious cycle of inadequate funding for socio-economic development.

He identified the key challenges confronting Nigeria’s tax system as “multiple taxes and revenue collection agencies, fragmented and complex tax system, low tax morale, high prevalence of tax evasion, high cost of revenue administration, lack of coordination between fiscal and economic policies, and poor accountability in the utilization of tax revenue.”

He said the establishment of this committee “reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing these challenges and bringing about transformative reforms in fiscal policy and taxation.”

He added:”The committee’s primary objective is to enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting, and promote the effective utilization of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.

These efforts will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally-competitive business environment.

The setting up of the panel came on the heels of the President’s signing of four executive orders on Thursday to boost economic activities and reduce hardship.

Speaking on the committee’s establishment, the immediate past President/ Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Adesina Adedayo, said Oyedele has the expertise and experience that qualify him to lead the committee.

He said Oyedele is conversant with private sector operations and how the companies are trying the cope with Nigeria’s operating environment, including tax matters.

He is equally conversant with government policies on tax administration and has the global expertise on tax taxation because of his position at PwC.

 He said: “Taiwo Oyedele is not an outsider to private sector and also to public sector. He is the right choice that will enhance tax policy decisions and stakeholders balancing because he has a clear understanding on tax matters.”

Adedayo said the advice from the committee should, when presented,  be given priority by the government as they have capacity to make Nigeria a country where businesses will thrive with ease.

Managing Director, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, said the appointment of Oyedele is commendable, and shows the President is serious about solving problems.

He said similar appointments should be made in other key segments of the economy, ensuring that experts who have distinguished themselves in different areas of endeavor make inputs on economic policies.

Teriba said the committee is to review and recommend to government the right policy directions on taxation.

He said the recommendations of the committee is what the business community will be waiting and reviewing when they are unveiled.

A profile of the new Committee Chairman provided in the statement described  Oyedele as  “a highly accomplished professional with extensive expertise in fiscal policy, taxation, and economic matters. He currently serves as PWC Africa tax leader.

“In addition to his role at PwC, Oyedele holds several important positions in prestigious organisations.

“He is the Thematic Lead for the Fiscal Policy & Planning Commission and serves as the Chairman of the West Africa Debt Management Roundtable of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

“Furthermore, he chairs the Taxation & Fiscal Policy Faculty Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and is a member of the Nigerian Taxation Standards Board.

“He also serves as a member of the Ministerial Committee on the implementation of Nigeria’s National Tax Policy.

“He is a member of the Global Tax Forum and has previously served as a member of the Global Governing Council of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

“As an educator, Oyedele holds the position of Associate Professor at the Babcock University Business School.

“He is an alumnus of the London School of Economics & Political Science, Yale University and Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. He is a guest lecturer at the Lagos Business School and the Founder and President of Impact Africa Foundation.”

The Economist hails Tinubu’s “impressive first moves”

The influential international magazine, The Economist, in its latest edition brands Tinubu’s early moves as impressive.

The President, it says, “delighted reform-minded Nigerians by veering off-script to announce an end to subsidising petroleum products, which for decades has drained the treasury of revenues from the country’s most valuable natural resource.”

Continuing, it says Tinubu has not ceased to “shake the establishment with a string of night-time press statements which heralded the firing of his central bank governor, the top brass of the army and the heads of several key government agencies, including the police, the customs service and the financial crimes commission.”

To the magazine, Tinubu’s “biggest scalp” was that of Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele who was suspended on June 9 for what the president himself called the rotten financial system brought about by the CBN under Emefiele.

It adds: “Mr Tinubu’s speedy appointments on the security side are intended to help curb terrorism in the country’s northeast and the scourge of kidnapping in the northwest, as well as violence elsewhere. sbm, an intelligence outfit based in Lagos, the commercial capital, estimates that between July 2021 and June 2022, 3,420 people, including hundreds of schoolchildren, were kidnapped.

 “Nigerians are hoping for livelier yet safer leadership under their new man.”

Fear has enveloped communities in flood-prone states in the South-South following what residents perceive as lack of visible preparations by state governments for possible heavy flooding this year.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had warned in January that 14 states, including most of the states in the region, would face flash floods, and called on the governments and residents to make preparations in advance to avoid casualties.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) followed up with an alert that up to 626 local government areas or 80 per cent of the LGAs might be affected.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, quoting from the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), said 66 local government areas are at high flood risk between April and June; 148 LGAs in July to September and 100 LGAs in the months of October and November.

He said Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers in particular face a high risk of coastal flooding owing to expected rise in sea level and tidal surge that may negatively impact agriculture, human settlements and transportation.

Similar flooding last year in the region and other parts of the country had claimed many lives, wiped out domestic animals and destroyed many properties.

However, investigations by The Nation in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom showed that no serious efforts have been made to prepare for the flood.

In Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, residents complained that they were yet to see adequate preparations by the government.

Read Also: Flood alert: NEMA cautions 14 states, 31 communities

Residents of Cemetery Road in Azikoro Village, Yenagoa asked the relevant agencies to clear the canals that empty water into Azikoro Village from Cemetery Road.

A member of the recently inaugurated Committee on Flood and Erosion Control in the state told The Nation that the committee was yet to begin work because it had not been mobilised by the government.

A resident of Cemetery Road, Mr. Royal Egede, hoped government will “do something quickly this time around.”

He added: “We are urging the government to come and clear the drainage channels and provide some palliatives to the people.

“We suffered during the 2022 floods severely. The disaster really affected us so much here and up till now, we have not received any help.”

Another resident, who gave his name only as Timi, said much of the losses incurred last year would have been averted if the relevant authorities had done the needful.

An environmentalist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, claimed that successive administrations in the state have not given flooding the attention it requires since its creation in 1996.

He said while the establishment of the Flood and Erosion Control Directorate by Governor Douye Diri looks good on paper, it needs to be empowered to deliver on its mandate.

Another resident, who gave his name only as Timi, said much of the losses incurred last year would have been averted if the relevant authorities had done the needful.

An environmentalist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, claimed that successive administrations in the state have not given flooding the attention it requires since its creation in 1996.

He said while the establishment of the Flood and Erosion Control Directorate by Governor Douye Diri looks good on paper, it needs to be empowered to deliver on its mandate.

Morris, the Coordinator, Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Bayelsa State, said: “Flood is not new to the Bayelsa environment, especially the annual floods that come between July and November yearly.

“In 1969, we experienced the biggest flood in this area before that of 2012. And sadly, we have experienced about five other monster floods since 2012, leading to loss of lives and property. That of last year, 2022 happened to be the highest so far.

“Incidentally, the NiMet has been predicting about the flood since 2013, and the first prediction failed as that of 2013 was very low even though it was predicted that it would be high.

“In Ijaw land, there is a saying that the danger heard in time by the lame person cannot kill him or her, as he or she will make attempt to escape the death or danger. In this wise, even though there isn’t much our people can do, they are trying to adjust their lives

“While individuals are thinking of how to harvest their crops in time so as not to lose them to the flood, some are thinking of where to relocate to when the flood arrives, even as the government is urged to clear natural canals and do more in preventing heavy losses.

“The Bayelsa State Government has set up a Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, and this is a positive development as some of us have been advocating since 2018.

“What is left to be seen is whether the Directorate would be properly funded and effectively go about the terms of reference.”

Rivers sensitises residents

The Rivers State Flood Management Committee, which was set up to coordinate activities designed to mitigate the impact of the flood, has taken to the air waves to sensitise residents to the looming flood and asking  them to prepare to move to higher grounds.

The authorities of the Abua, Opobo, Emohua, Okirika, Ahoada and Ikwerre local government areas, all of which are prone to flood, have  also set up their own flood monitoring and intervention committees.

The committees were directed to carry out desiltation of drains and other water channels to allow free flow of water and to begin on time to procure relief materials to be distributed to victims.

The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, was said to have mobilised his team to undertake clearing of drains and bushes in the council.

It’s skeletal measures in Delta

Only skeletal measures have been put in place in the rural areas of Delta by the state government to check the impending flood.

An environmental activist in the Niger-Delta, Sheriff Mulade, said the state should not oncentrate all its efforts on the urban centres.

Read Also: Flood alert: NEMA cautions 14 states, 31 communities

He claimed that concrete measures for checking perennial flooding in the low lying areas of  Isoko North and South, Patani, Burutu, Bomadi, Ndokwa West and Ndokwa North and parts of Ughelli South LGA’s are  largely non-existent.

He feared that many flood prone communities would be sacked should the NIMET prediction come to pass.

He admonished the Delta State Government to set up a flood management committee to coordinate efforts at mitigating the effect of flooding on inhabitants living in flood prone areas.

Mulade called for the establishment of permanent camps for those that may be displaced from time to time by flooding.

He said measures such as land reclamation and dredging of canals will in no small measure alleviate the sufferings of Deltans in flood prone communities.

He said: “Delta government has done nothing towards alleviation of the suffering of inhabitants in rural areas. We expect proactive steps to be taken such as dredging of silted canals and building of dams to check flooding.

“I urge the state government to immediately set up permanent internally displaced persons’ camps instead of the ad-hoc approach where emergency camp without adequate facilities are set up.

“NIMET has predicted that the 2023 flood is expected to be the worst since 2012.Yet the state government has refused to do anything, especially in rural flood-prone communities, to mitigate its effect when it begins.”

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has already ordered the demolition of all buildings on waterways across the state.

He said there was no place in the world where people are allowed to build on water channels.

Oborevworu directed the state ministries of Housing, Works and Lands to identify and pull down all such buildings to allow for the free flow of water on natural waterways.

The governor spoke recently during an inspection tour of Phases I and 2 of the Warri/Effurun Storm Water Control Projects in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas of the state.

He said: “We started the inspection with Phase 2 of the storm water drainage project being handled by CCECC. They have five catchment areas. We have looked at their work and realised that they have done a lot as they have gone very far.

“They have some obstacles and we also looked at what is causing the obstacles and got to know that there are some buildings on natural waterways, which is causing obstructions and slowing down the spate of work being done by the construction firm.

“We also assured the contractors that all the buildings on the waterways, both in phase l and phase 2,  will be brought down by the state government to enable them to finish their work seamlessly.”

We’re taking pro-active measures, says Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Government said it was up and doing in tackling the looming flooding.

Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi said that since flood incidents are natural disasters that cannot be stopped, government has started making preparations.

This includes the building of IDP camps across the 31 local government areas of the state for victims of flood disasters.

Government, according to her, was also training some personnel in disaster management.

Her words: “Since we can’t wish natural disasters away, we are taking proactive steps that can mitigate the effects of the disaster in our state.

“Akwa Ibom State has experienced its fair share of natural disasters and we cannot afford to be caught off-guard in the future occurrences.

“In this regard, there is urgent need for capacity building of stakeholders in disaster management in the state and local government areas, since time is of essence.

“There should be availability of work tools to agencies, the frequencies of flood disaster calls for proactive action and solution such as establishment of IDP camps for flood victims in the state and training of staff in the 31 LGAs of the state.”

• …as MTN vows to mobilise other investors to bring $1.5tn to Nigeria

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday assured the business community that his administration will remove all bottlenecks to investment in the nation’s economy.

 The President gave the assurance when he hosted a delegation from MTN, led by the Group Chairman of the company, Mcebisi Jonas, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, the President also assured the manufacturing and service sectors that more reforms will be unfolded to enable efficiency and attract investments, saying the ongoing economic ‘‘revolution’’ will be deliberately steered to capture and favour teeming youths in the country. 

“We have a responsibility to revolutionise the economy so that our youths can share in the prosperity of the nation, otherwise we are only waiting for the dreams to be charted,” the President told the delegation.

 “If you have any problems or impediments do let us know. We are ready to remove bottlenecks to investments in the economy,’’ the President vowed while he acknowledged the sweeping changes across the world, largely driven by technology.

Read Also: Why Tinubu should prioritise security, economy, by group

 President Tinubu said the growing rural-urban migration can only be controlled with more investments in digital technology that will directly improve healthcare systems and education for the poor.  

“I am happy you are moving from Corporate Social Responsibility to be more incisive and inquisitive with technology so that we can see how we can partner structurally,’’ the President stated.

  “You can do a lot for the economy by partnering with us. We believe no one can succeed alone. The structural adjustments we are making are to ensure we face the right direction and arrive at a destination that caters for our people.

 “You and I will make sure that the people have a share of that prosperity. We will, together, build a well-informed society. We have to re-assess the journey. I am glad that the stock market is responding positively to the structural adjustments,’’ he added.

 The MTN Group Chairman said the company had a plan to invest $3.5 billion in the economy over the next five years, with a broader vision of becoming a pan-African company by moving investments from the Middle East and focusing more on Africa, especially Nigeria, where it gets the highest return on investment.

 Jonas congratulated the President for the upswing of interest in the country within a short period since he assumed office, May 29, 2023, promising to support in mobilisation of other investors with about $1.5 trillion to look towards Nigeria, where reforms had been styled to favour business and encourage inclusive development.

 “The message you have given us is that Nigeria is investible, and with your election, we are seeing decisive, prompt and keen interest in structural reforms,’’ the MTN Group Chairman noted. 

The Group President/CEO of MTN Ralph Mupita, Chairman of MTN Nigeria Ernest Ndukwe and Chief Executive Officer Olutokun Karl Toriola were part of the meeting.

• • Enugu tribunal fails to sit as residents stay off streets
• • Police arrest 15 suspects over shooting in Ebonyi; Abians shun protest
• • Ubah, Ekpa in war of words

The sit-at-home protest called by the Simon Ekpa faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was largely ignored by residents of Ebonyi and Abia and States yesterday.

But it was effective in Enugu State where it stopped the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal from sitting, and partly in Anambra State.

Some IPOB members yesterday staged a protest at the Finnish parliament in Helsinki, denouncing Ekpa as an impostor.

The IPOB factional leader resides in that country from where he has been exchanging hot words with the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Peter Cardinal Okpaleke and the Senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah, over his inciting statements.

Despite the deployment of security personnel in Enugu, residents ignored call by the state government to come out and transact their businesses.

Banks, schools, markets and shops in the state capital were shut as residents remained at home, a few days after some pupils and their teachers in Enugu West were flogged by those enforcing the sit at home.

Lawyers, members of the public, newsmen and security operatives who had gone to the tribunal yesterday for the continued hearing of the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga against the election of Governor Peter Mbah in the March 18 governorship election in the state, met the court room shut.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had, late on Thursday, said work, business, schooling and other legitimate endeavours would resume yesterday and that some of the hoodlums enforcing the illegal sit-at-home in the state had been arrested.

“It is noteworthy that many enemies of Enugu State and Igbo land, the hoodlums, anarchists, and criminal elements, who hide under freedom agitation to perpetrate destruction, violent crimes, as well as those who engage in scaremongering through fake videos and images, have been tracked down, apprehended and are being brought to book,” he said.

He added: “We are winning the war and therefore call on Ndi Enugu to volunteer information to the authorities on any suspicious person and movement as well as those who use the social media to spread rumours and instigate panic among the members of the public.

“The government directs offices, schools, business premises, and markets, including Ogbete Main Market, among others, to open for business.

“Failure to comply with this directive will be deemed as willful undermining of government’s policy and efforts to restore full working days, productivity, and entrepreneurship in the state, and will as such be met with appropriate sanctions.

“Government urges members of the public to disregard any scaremongers and go about their businesses, as security measures are fully in place to continue to enforce law and order and safeguard lives and property.”

Biafra agitators had relaxed the protest on Thursday to enable residents stock food items ahead of the continuation of the action yesterday.

It was gathered that hoodlums stormed places like Emene, New Haven, Abakpa, Agbani Road and the NOWAS area, in Transekulu and Maryland to enforce the protest.

Nnamani: IPOB action, self annihilation of a people

A former governor of Enugu State, Dr.Chimaroke Nnamani, yesterday described the state of insecurity by IPOB in the South East as the final conquest of the Igbo ethnic nationality.

Writing on his Twitter handle @ChimarokeNamani, the former governor said: “The final conquest of the Igbo ethnic nationality of Nigeria. A self-annihilation of a people.

“The ultimate supremacy of ignorance, incompetence and foolery. Mass hypnosis induced by failed leadership. A shameful social implosion. So called leaders became mute while the people wept.

“Maybe the popular Gburus should affirm. Are we still in God’s hands? Or are the gods to blame? As mama says, ‘this too shall pass’”.

Anambra police dispute protest reports, threaten to go after ‘purveyors of fake news’

The Anambra State Police Command threatened, yesterday, to  go after those it accused of spreading fake news on social media about the security situation in the state following reports that hoodlums invaded the Onitsha Main market to enforce the IPOB sit at home.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that the command would put a stop to the evil mischief of such persons.

He said those to be targeted were persons who share false security alerts and messages affecting the peace and smooth flow of businesses in the state.

Read Also: Southeast govs, stakeholders sweat over strategy to end sit-at-home

Ikenga said the mischievous elements had been posting modified old videos of security incidents to cause panic in the state; a situation he said was unacceptable.

His words: “It is an attack on public safety which must be resisted.

 ”We are on top of our duties of protection of lives and property, and we will never take that for granted.”

The spokesman said that businesses were fully opened yesterday because of the confidence the people had in the security agencies.

“The police together with other security forces have intensified patrols in the event of any security challenge, and I can attest that business is ongoing in major markets in Anambra, business is also smoothly moving in Nnewi and its environs today July 7.”

It’s business as usual in Abia

Business was in full swing yesterday in Umuahia, the state capital and the commercial city of Aba, after residents shunned the sit at home.

Major markets, government institutions, schools and other private facilities including banks opened for operations despite a downpour.

Inter and intra-city transportation services also went on unhindered.

A trader, Mr. Fidelis Okere, said people  were ready to come out and do their business outside the usual Monday sit-at-home, adding that they would only stop observing the Monday sit-at-home when Nnamdi Kanu  is released by the federal government.

IPOB members protest at Finnish parliament

Some members of IPOB yesterday protested at the Finnish parliament in Helsinki, denouncing Simon Ekpa as an impostor.

IPOB unit4 Madrid, SPAIN in a tweet yesterday on the development said: “IPOB LEADERSHIP AT THE FINLAND PARLIAMENT.. WE R TELLING THE WORLD TO TELL GOVERNMENT TO OBEY COURT ORDER, & FREE MNK. ALSO LET THE GOVERNMENT BE AWARE THAT SIMON EKPA IS NOT AN IPOB MEMBER, NOT WORKING FOR MNK BUT RATHER DESTROYING BIAFRAN LAND…

Ekpa attacks Catholic bishop, engages Ifeanyi Uba in war of words

Ekpa, responding to the recent condemnation of his activities by the Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke during a church programme, issued tirades against the  bishop who he said had now met  ”his match” in him (Ekpa).

Okpaleke had said: ”My beloved people, there is a young Igbo man called Simon Ekpa. Have you people been hearing about him? He is living in Finland with his wife and his children and he is threatening that Nigeria will not be fine. 

“Money is being contributed for him in the name of fighting the course of Biafra. He should come home so that we can be in this together.”

Ekpa also took on Senator Ubah who had warned the IPOB factional leader to desist from his action or face his wrath.

Ubah said: “For about two years now, we have observed every Monday as sit at home. We are losing our economic base and most importantly, we are losing jobs and business opportunities.

“As the representative of Anambra South, Nnewi North being the political capital of Nnewi South, we deem it fit to say that we will not continue to have sit-at-home on Mondays.

“From this Monday, every business in Nnewi will open for business. We have our men and we have our system. We are resolute to fight any aggression that will come.

“I have heard from one Simon Ekpa. For 17 good times you have mentioned Ifeanyi Uba and I did not reply you. You have been seeking for my attention 17 good times and I am replying you today.

“Never ever mention Ifeanyi Uba or Nnewi again.  You have your parents in Ebonyi there. Your state is APC state and you never for one day mentioned your state Ebonyi. Ebonyi does not observe sit at home. 

“You are in Finland contesting for councillorship or whatever.  You go to your job on Mondays but you want to deprive us because you have communication gadgets. You have internet to run propaganda.

“I am an elected officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I represent the people of Anambra South.

“To you Simon Ekpa and your co-travellers for anyone of you to mention sit- at-home again, you will start preaching sit at home from Ebonyi before you continue to mention Anambra State and Nnewi.

“I am telling you Simon Ekpa, be careful, be careful, be careful. I won’t say more than this. You have mentioned me 17 times and I have only replied you once. Try me and you will see. Go and observe sit-at-home in Ebonyi.”  

Ekpa in his response said: ”Biafrans, look at the dilapidated state of Nnewi Market. You can’t fight Biafra and win. Biafra is bigger than your entire life.

“We need to remind you that you were rejected by Biafrans at Alaba International Market, Lagos State.

“Ifeanyi Uba, I will end your impunity in Igboland and it starts today. You can never rise again against Biafra freedom and succeed.

“After this episode, you can’t stand in the public and talk. I am more on ground in Nnewi than you.”

And speaking on the sit at home he called, Ekpa said: “We thank Biafra people! The week-long sit-at-home has been peaceful (Biafrans voluntaritary observed it, due to their desire for Biafra referendum). We are calling on @officialABAT to take note that over 70m Biafrans are now in high hope that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be released.

“I remain Simon Ekpa, The PM-BRGIE of over 70million people. Biafra government is the only government that is recognised by the Biafra people and the evidence is in this video. Today is 7.7.2023 & Biafrans are sitting @ home for their freedom.”

Reacting to the protest staged against him in Finland by Southeasterners who are not in support of his activities, Epka said: “I am on ground, this is my country and here is my city.

“These less than 20 criminals were sponsored by Nigeria government. They came from different parts of the world to Finland to front the interest of Nigeria, shouting Biafra, Biafra.

“In few days to come, Simon Ekpa, the Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In Exile, will officially address Biafrans in Finland and Biafrans in Finland will come and show their faces to the world; not some imported criminals by the Nigeria state.

“Finally, confession has started! One of the protesters today in Lahti Finland is confessing that they were paid to come here but his conscience can’t allow him!”

Poor compliance with sit at home in Ebonyi

The week long sit at home recorded poor compliance in Ebonyi State despite attempts by gun men to enforce it.

Residents of the state have long stopped observing the protest.

However, on Sunday gunmen invaded a police station in Ohaukwu Local Government Area and burnt a patrol vehicle.

On Tuesday, gunmen clad in black overall and wielding AK 47 rifles invaded Ishieke and Ahiaofu suburbs of the state capital and dispersed traders in the area.

They also set ablaze a tricycle and destroyed wares of some traders.

The situation led to businesses hurriedly closing early in some parts of Abakaliki, capital of the city.

Some businesses failed to open on Wednesday as a result of the development.

While some banks opened at noon, some did not open while others ran skeletal services.

The situation improved on Thursday and Friday as more businesses opened for business.

There has been strong deployment of security personnel across the city to forestall a reoccurrence of the attack.    

The police in the state said yesterday they had arrested 15 persons suspected to be involved in the attacks on traders and residents.

The men, described as IPOB members, were alleged to be the brains behind the Tuesday attack in  the state.

Police Commissioner Faleye Olayele told reporters in Abakaliki that the suspects, including two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali were picked from their hideouts.

He said: “They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorising the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday.

“I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds.”

Olayele said the suspects were preparing for another attack yesterday when they were arrested.

“This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got.

One of the herbalists arrested claimed he was forced to join the gang.

“I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi. They came to me and requested medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them in the bush for further preparations.

“Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” claimed Otozi.

Normalcy returns in Imo

Normalcy returned to Imo State yesterday as some residents came out for their daily activities. 

Unlike the previous days, business activities picked up as companies, restaurants and markets opened to customers. 

Passengers were seen at bus stops in the Owerri metropolis boarding vehicles to their various destinations. 

Workers were seen at the state secretariat on Port Harcourt Road at their duty posts. 

Some of them said they came to the office as early as 8am but amid fear of attack by the hoodlums. 

It was learnt that many of them were still nursing fear of the shoot out of last Tuesday at the secretariat where it was gathered many people sustained injuries scampering for safety.  

However, at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede offices were closed as some workers who braved it could not gain access to their various offices which were under lock and key. The situation also forced the management to postpone the first semester which was to begin last Monday but has been shifted to next week.