By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has debunked insinuations that the security outfit recently floated by the group; Eastern Security Network (ESN) is targeted at attacking and clamping down anyone that speaks against their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Comrade Emma Powerful stated the vigilante group which he said is akin to Amotekun in the South West is to eradicate terrorism and criminality in Biafra land over the inability of security agencies to effectively police the Southeast.

According to Powerful, the establishment of ESN is not targeted against law abiding citizens but only after criminal elements and terrorists in the Southeast.

Kanu who lambasted a group; Conference of Igbo Elders for Peace and Development (CIEPAD) for making derogatory comment about the formation of the security outfit said

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“Well-meaning individuals and groups like Afenifere, the leading socio-cultural organization in Nigeria have already hailed the formation of ESN. Easterners both home and in the diaspora have also continued to send goodwill messages over this uncommon feat. Even the usually frightened National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has grudgingly offered his support to the security outfit.

“This is the only reason the security agencies who are already jolted by the outpouring of commendations trailing the formation of ESN from across the world is making frantic but belated efforts to discredit ESN by using faceless groups. This lame strategy is not new to us.

“We wish to also remind the public of the Okwudili saga, another fictitious figure created in the minds of DSS operatives to usurp the leadership of IPOB, that failed spectacularly. How about fake groups like RENIPOB, REPOB, SEXIPOB floated at various times in the past in an attempt to deceive the public into thinking that the great IPOB family is factionalised. It all failed and so will this latest joke called IEPAD.”

By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

Ania State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Vincent Ogu has urged personnel of the agency to be professional in handling their weapons.

Ogu who was speaking at the end of a refresher course organized for arm bearing personnel of the NSCDC, Abia State Command while re-echoing the Commandant General’s; Abdulahi Gana Muhammed tolerance for “accidental discharge and other unacceptable conducts of the personnel with rifle, warned that the leadership of the agency would not tolerate any case of accidental discharge from the officers.

The NSCDC State Commandant sternly warned participants to desist from every form of unprofessional engagement, adding that they should leverage on the opportunity offered by the retraining exercise to serve their country better.

Ogu who stated that the refresher course was to ensure effective and efficient light weapons handling among arm bearing personnel of the command stated that henceforth, armed officers found brandishing riffles without proper certification, being improperly dressed in the corps’  approved uniforms or found firing to entertain audience shall be summarily dealt with in line with established “rules of engagement.”

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Mike Okoli, has suspended all casual leave and directed all officers of the command to be on red alert during the festive season.

He gave the directive to police officers on Friday at the Police Officers’ Mess the end of the year gathering of senior police officers.

He directed the Divisional Police Officers and Head of Departments to rejig their strategy of fighting crime and enhance the visibility of policemen to ensure a peaceful yuletide in Bayelsa State.

He reiterated the command’s ban on the use of knockouts and unauthorised fireworks during the festive season.

The CP further assured members of the public of a peaceful festive season and enjoined the cooperation of all to forestall any untoward incident.

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By Elo Edremoda, Warri

Governors of the South-south states have been tasked to establish a regional security outfit, like their counterpart in other parts of the country.

A rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, on Saturday.

The statement noted with the establishment of Amotekun and the Miyetti Allah in the South west and northern regions of the country, it was high time leaders in the oil-rich region create such a network for the “defense” of the zone.

According to the statement, “only the South-south still wallows in ignorance and feels the Nigerian state can protect them.

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“I want to thank the Delta State governor for creation of Operation Delta Hawk, but an indigenous security outfit is immediately needed not just for Delta State but the entire South-south.

“As it is right now, any region can overrun the South-south because we do not speak with one voice. The real deal is not security but the fact that every region fears the unknown and wishes to protect their region except the South-south that still feeds the entire nation.

“Our roads are not safe, our seaports are not working, oil companies relocated to Abuja, our crude is to be taken to Niger Republic or Dangote refinery, Lagos to be refined and brought back to us for higher sales, yet no Niger-Delta youth would be employed in those places.”

 Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

BAYELSA State Governor Douye Diri, his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, among other stakeholders, have stressed the need for synergy between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and state governments in the region.

They made the call over the weekend at the 4th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta which held at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The meeting with the theme, ‘Relieving Uncommon Development in the Niger Delta Region: Roadmap and Strategy,’ also had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Moses Ekpo, Special Adviser on Niger Delta, Senator Ita Enang and the newly appointed NDDC Sole Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa.

Speaking at the event, Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said effective collaboration between the intervention agency and its catchment states would enhance well-coordinated development in the Niger Delta.

On his part, Wike decried what he described as lack of legitimate governance structure in the NDDC which had subjected it to all forms of manipulation and corruption.

Read Also: NDDC: Court should void Akwa’s appointment

Represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Wike called on the Federal Government to draw from the Sovereign Wealth Fund to urgently fund and complete the East-West Road as it is doing for other regions of the country.

In his remarks, Senator Akpabio urged the leaders and people of Niger Delta to support the ongoing forensic audit of the NDDC and cautioned the political class against politicising development issues in the region.

In a communiqué, the stakeholders called on the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to properly coordinate all actors in the region to enhance the much-needed synergy to avoid duplication and abandonment of projects.

The meeting, which was adjourned until September 2021 in Delta State, also approved the establishment of a Transport and Mobility Programme as well as the new urban renewal and housing programme of the ministry.

 Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Chief George Moghalu has called on the leadership of the party to ensure credibility of the membership register ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.

Moghalu who gave the advice in Nnewi during a meeting with party faithful, expressed concern over what he described as ghost names in the register, wondering what those behind the inclusion of such names  stood to gain.

He stressed the negative consequences of such actions to the party, especially in securing victory in any election, warning those responsible to desist forthwith.

He said, “We must ensure the credibility of our membership register. You see thousands of names in the register, yet it doesn’t reflect in the number of votes cast during elections.

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“You gain nothing by injecting ghost names on the register. It’s either those names don’t exist, or they don’t believe in our party. Its better we have few existing names that we are sure to vote for us at every elections.”

Moghalu who is the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) said the meeting, called on his instance, was not for campaign, but to appreciate God for his numerous blessings upon him and the party.

He added, “We’re not here today for politics but to express gratitude to God for keeping all of us alive. At the appropriate time we’ll place our track records and accomplishments.

Responding, State Executive Chairman, Chief Sir Basil Ejidike assured that the credibility of the membership register remained a major responsibility of the party leadership.

“It’s not going to be business as usual because of the crop of leaders we have. We’re more determined to work in unity to deliver on our mandate. If we can get the governor, all other things will follow.

“We only need to work on our vehicle to enable it take us to government house. Let’s play down on aspirants and work as one.”

 Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

A WOMAN simply identified as Mrs. Chinagorom Frank and her son whose names could not be immediately ascertained have reportedly regained their freedom.

Mrs. Frank and her seven month’s old son were last week kidnapped by gunmen operating on a motorbike at Ozata in Etiti Asa community in Ukwa West Local government Area of Abia State, after an attempt to kidnap the husband, Mr. Chinagorom Frank failed.

Information has it that the gunmen, who started negotiation for the release of their victims with the family members barely 24hrs after kidnapping them, demanded N10m ransom and later released the victims after agreeing to collect the sum of N400, 000.

Read Also: How we paid ransom to rescue ABU students, by parents

A source in the community who spoke under condition of anonymity told our correspondent that the kidnappers warned Frank that he stands the chance of losing both his wife and son if he involves police or any of the security agencies during the negotiation process.

A security agent who spoke anonymously confirmed the release of the victims, but denied knowledge of payment of ransom.

The victims have reportedly rejoined their family members, The Nation gathered.