Security agencies comprising of Soldiers and Police were said to have prevented members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, from embarking on street protest Tuesday in Aba.
The Nation learnt that the IPOB members were held up at the National High school along Port Harcourt road.
Details later….
•Protesters clash with security men
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday resumed the protest against the continued detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest in Aba, Abia State, turned bloody when protesters clashed with security men.
Unconfirmed reports said about 30 protesters sustained gunshot wounds and seven died. A man hit by a stray bullet died at the hospital.
A 20-year-old apprentice, Chidozie Okafor, the only son of his parents and a native of Omuohu, in Eziagu council of Enugu State, was hit by a stray bullet while returning from his lunch break. He died immediately.
Our reporter who monitored the protest reports that the fracas halted commercial activities as businesses were forced to close.
It was gathered that the protesters, after they were dispersed by security men from the National High School on Port Harcourt road, regrouped around Asa and Park road. Attempts to disperse them were resisted.
Eyewitnesses said soldiers started shooting sporadically when they realised they were being overpowered and in the process, some protesters were hit while others were arrested.
Checks within the Aba metropolis showed that security was tightened around military formations and police barracks.
In a telephone chat with MASSOB’s National Welfare Officer, Mr. Jude Chukwu, he condemned the killings, allegging that about five members of the group were reported dead while 30 others were receiving treatment in undisclosed hospitals.
Chukwu, who blamed the police and soldiers for the deaths, claimed that the protest was peaceful until the security men started to shoot at unarmed citizens.
He debunked insinuations that the pro-Biafra groups worked for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, stressing that their protest was part of their push for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
The police command, through its spokesman Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu warned that the ban on street protests and any form of procession was still in place. It directed its men and officers to resist any attempt by any group to march on the streets.
It was a bloody day in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State on Monday as members of two pro-Biafra groups; Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clashed while the groups were protesting the continued detention of their leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Unconfirmed reports have it that about 30 injured members of the two groups who sustained degrees of gunshots were being treated in different parts of the commercial city; a total number of 7persons were reported dead.
Report also has it that another person who was said to have been hit by a stray bullet died at a hospital within the city center where the victim was rushed for medical attention, but due to loss of blood and delay in getting medical attention, died in the hospital.
Our reporter who monitored the protest report that the fracas which ensued between the protesters and the security agencies forced commercial activities to a standstill as many shop owners in various markets and within the city center forcefully closed for business.
According to our reporter, a 20-year-old apprentice who was identified as Chidozie Okafor, the only son of his parents and a native of Omuohu, in Eziagu local government council of Enugu State died immediately along St. Michael’s road about 1.pm after a stray bullet allegedly fired by a soldier hit him on his way back to his master’s shop at Pound road after having his lunch.
It was gathered that the pro-biafra groups who had forewarned Aba residents last week of Monday’s protest, after being dispersed by a combined team of security agencies at National High School along Port-Harcourt road; there usual point of takeoff in the morning, later regrouped around Asa and Park road.
Sources said that while the protesters had regrouped, security agencies that were on their trail attempted to disperse them, but met stiff resistance by the groups.
According to the sources who claimed to have witnessed the incident said soldiers serving under 144 Battalion having seen that they were being overpowered by the protesters, started shooting sporadically in a bid to scare the crowd.
They said that the event however took another dimension when the live ammunition from the soldiers’ guns hit some of the protesters.
They also confirmed that some members of the protesters were arrested in the process.
Checks within Aba reveal that security was beefed up around various military formations and police barracks in Aba and its environs.
In a telephone chat with the National Welfare Officer of Uchenna Madu led MASSOB, Mr. Jude Chukwu, he condemned the killings, and alleged that about five members of the group were reported dead, while 30 members of the groups were currently receiving medical attention in undisclosed medical centers in Aba and its environs.
Chukwu while blaming police and soldiers for the loss of lives claimed that the protest was peaceful until the security agencies started firing live on unarmed citizens.
He also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuations making rounds that they; IPOB and MASSOB were working for the camp of Dr. Alex Otti the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, stressing that the reason for their protest was part of their push for the release of the detained leader of IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention since October last year.
It could be recalled that the State Police Command in a release signed by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu had warned that the ban on street protest and any form of procession as directed by the state government was still in place and directed its men and officers to resist any attempt by any group in the state to take to the streets.
The peaceful town of Aba in Abia State will come alive on Thursday, January 21 as it brings another opportunity for new winners to emerge in the ongoing Skye Bank’s “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Reward Scheme.
The “Reach for the Skye’’ millionaire reward scheme which started last year and has taken place in Ibadan, Onitsha, Benin, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Lagos, will hold at the Ariaria market, Aba.
A businessman and past winner of the scheme in the 1 million naira category, Kazeem Saheed Owolabi expressed how winning the large sum erased previous doubts he had for the promo. Owolabi explained that since his winning, he has become a stronger ambassador for Skye Bank.
Narrating his experience, he said that, “My phone rang that afternoon, and I was told I had won a million naira from the Skye Bank “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Reward Scheme. At first, I did not believe, until I was invited to receive my cheque. I am super excited and I really appreciate Skye Bank for this laudable initiative.”
According to the Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank, Nkolika Okoli, the Skye Bank Millionaire Reward Scheme would also afford traders and those present at the Ariaria Market during the draw an opportunity to open accounts with the bank or upgrade from other types of accounts to the Save Plus account to qualify for the next month’s draw while winning exciting instant prizes like generators, refrigerators, household appliances and other prizes.
Okoli added that, “At Skye Bank, we cherish and value our customers and we embarked on this journey as a bank that is committed to continuous reward of customers’ loyalty. This is our seventh edition. We are stepping out of the usual dynamics of rewarding qualified savings customers monthly by also giving instant gifts to customers who open new accounts on the spot.”
THE Abia State government will be hosting the Aba Urban Development Summit on January 15. COLLINS NWEZE speaks with a member of the Abia State Economic Advancement Team, Sam Hart, on its impact on the state’s socio-economic development and plans to secure bank chief executives, local and international investors that will be attending. Excerpts:
ABA, the commercial capital of Abia State, will be hosting its maiden development summit. What is driving the state to go for this summit
The reason for organising the Aba Urban Development Summit is straight forward. The state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu reckoned that over time, everyone has alluded to the enormous potential in a developed and structured Aba.
Now, instead of unilaterally tapping into the potential of Aba, the time has come to invite all the experts to come to Aba and brainstorm on the best approach to the development of city. He does not want haphazard or whimsical development but a properly planned and structured development, hence the summit.
The expected guests at the summit that already confirmed attendance, include heads of Development Partner Organisations like the Development Finance Institutions, USAID,United Nations HABITAT, Ford Foundation, The World Bank, African Development Bank, among others. Others are chief executives of financial Institutions, ambassadors of foreign missions in Nigeria, heads of Federal Agencies, state chambers of commerce, educationists, environmentalists, economists, entrepreneurs among others.
What efforts are you making to ensure that this is not another government jamboree?
This is not another jamboree. It will lead to the proposed inauguration of an AbaDevelopment Centre which will serve as a one-stop centre to implement the recommendations of the summit and coordinate all efforts towards the development of the city.
We will also source for all the data and numbers required by investors and policy developers to make informed investment and policy decisions as it concerns Aba. Also, all the recommendations at the summit will be documented for reference and implementation purposes.
But there are other cities that need economic boost, and so what informed the government’s decision to host this summit?
We have identified Aba as a catalyst. The potential inherent in Aba, if properly harnessed, can galvanise development in the rest of Abia State. The people, the enterprise, the industries, the proximity to key cities in neighbouring states, the commercial dexterity and the sheer resilience of the people are qualities I dare say that you cannot find in any other city in Nigeria.
Aba is a one-of-a-kind town where its qualities are completely patented to the city. Abia has other cities no doubt, from Umuahia to Ohafia to Isuikwuato to Omoba, but, the truth remains that none of these cities has the established potentials like Aba. In line with the maxim of using what you have to get what you want, we are using Aba that we have to get even development all round Abia State which is what we want.
What measures have been put in place to ensure participants safety?
Aba is very safe at the moment. Arrangements have been concluded with security agencies to ensure the safety of delegates. These arrangements include comprehensive policing of the Summit venue and hotels where delegates will be accommodated, attachment of security escorts to all vehicles conveying our delegates to and from the airport as well as a general security cordon of Aba for the duration of the summit. In other words, Abia State government is guaranteeing the safety and security of delegates to this summit.
There is the notion that Aba does not have good roads and the city is littered with refuse. Why are you bringing people to a city in that state?
Thank God you called it notion. It is not backed by facts on ground. Whoever still holds such a view of Aba has not visited Aba in recent times. Aba is not where it ought to be, but it is definitely not where it used to be. Since Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assumed duty on May 29, 2015, he has concentrated remarkable effort in getting Aba back on its feet.
At the moment, more than 45 road projects are going on simultaneously in Aba. All the drains that were hitherto blocked have been fixed for easy storm-water access and the environment is being given attention. The major drains on Aba-Owerri road have been opened up and expanded and key arterial roads have been rehabilitated so generally. There is now freer flow of traffic and increased commercial activities.
In light of the recent Appeal Court judgment on Abia elections, should participants have any scepticism; will the Summit still hold?
The summit will hold. Our Lawyers are handling that but in the meantime, the show must go on. Governance is not affected in any way and the focus of the governor remains unwavering.
What does an average businessman stand to gain from this summit?
For three days, the attention of key decision makers in various fields of endeavour will be onAba. For the savvy businessman, there must be somebody to be met at the summit that will boost his or her business. Some of the people they have been travelling to Abuja to meet overtime without success are coming to meet them in Aba.
How willing is the state government ready to work on the recommendations that will be proposed?
Thankfully, we have seasoned experts working with us to deliver this Summit. Ford Foundation is funding the summit while our technical partners providing support for documenting the summit outcome is Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta (PIND). These are very serious organisations with international funding. If we were not serious, they would not be committing huge resources towards supporting the Summit.
What is the summit admission requirements, logistic arrangements, objectives and expected outcome?
All those desirous of attending the summit have to pre-register. For security and other considerations, the summit is strictly by invitation. Access to the Summit Hall will only be for those wearing accreditation tags. For logistic, we have concluded arrangements to cater for the convenience of those who wish to come into Aba from Lagos or Abuja and depart same day.
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of banks, foreign government emissaries, captains of industry, development partner organisations and an array of stakeholders are expected to attend the forthcoming Aba Development Summit.
In a statement, Abia State government expressed its commitment to transforming the city of Aba to enable it realise its full potential. It said the development summit, holding in Aba, the state’s commercial nerve centre, will be taking place from January 13 to 15.
A letter signed by the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, explained that the summit is in line with one of the key cardinal development agendas of our administration which is to drive sustainable and all-inclusive development in Abia state. Aba, the commercial nerve of the state, when sustainably developed, will trigger development activities in other parts of the state.
The summit, being organised in partnership with the Ford Foundation, seeks to convey key policy makers, social, economic and technical experts and investors and entrepreneurs to discuss the key priorities and levers for unlocking the full potentials of Aba.
Ikpeazu said the summit is also expected to “showcase opportunities for the private sector and development community to partner Aba in particular and Abia more broadly to invest in the infrastructure, power, agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors.
Aside the expected participating stakeholders, the entire Abia State Executive Council and members of the Abia State House of Assembly, will make up the projected 300 participants, who must be invited guests.
Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State would, from January 4 to 9 2016 host renowned gospel preachers in Nigeria and Christian participants from over 50 countries in Africa and the world who would be coming into the town for a mega crusade.
The crusade, according to its organisers; Ministers Prayer Network International, would take place at their camp ground located on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway opposite 144, Army Battalion, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
Bishop Mossy Madugba, the convener in a press briefing with journalists at the Christian Pentecostal Mission Church, Rivers Lane, off Eziukwu Road said the event entitled “Global Mega Prayer Quake” would be attracting renowned preachers such as Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai, Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta Province, Ugochukwu Uwaoma Ezuoke and Anglican Bishop of Aba Ngwa Diocese, Nathan Kanu, among other great men of God that would be ministering.
Speaking on the effect of the revival on the participants, the city and Abia State, Madugba said: “It will bring reconciliations in homes. It will bring healings to the sick and the oppressed. Light will come into the midst of darkness and I am expecting all these things to begin to happen as a result of the gatherings that we will be having in January at Asa.”
Continuing, he added: “Hundred and two years ago, there were three different prophetic words from a man called William Seamore, Charles Parham and a woman called Maria Woodworth Eta; that there would be a great revival that will help transform society and prepare the church for what God wants her to do.
“We haven’t seen the revival and we have read from the books that revivals don’t just happen. They happen when people come together and begin to seek God. So, I came here to meet with the church in Aba to encourage them to seek God. Who knows whether we can have that prophesied revival start in Aba?
“Aba is in the East and people from the East are forerunners. When Jesus was born, the three wise men came from the East. The three men that came with gold, frankincense and myrrh were from the East. And the totality of the leadership of the church in Aba seems to have embraced the idea and have decided to host a major revival event, trusting God that that prophecy will be fulfilled in our day and in the city of Aba.
“Aba has had a history of revival in the 70s immediately after the civil war. There was this awakening in Aba where people really came to God with pure hearts to serve God and missionaries. Evangelists and gospel crusaders went out from Aba to every part of Nigeria. Periodically, we need meetings such as this to revive and restore the spirit of those that have backslidden.
“But we have not had awakening for so long; so the spiritual man has grown weak. That is why it seems as if sin reigns even in the church which is more like just a meeting place. But we believe that when a revival breaks out, there is going to be awakening of the spirit man and which will over power the influence and insinuations of the flesh. Nobody will have appetite for sin and evil doing.”
While assuring that arrangements have been concluded to take care of participants’ accommodation and security of lives, he appealed to the state and the Federal Government to fix the dilapidated Enugu-Aba, Aba-Port Harcourt and Ikot-Ekpene-Aba expressways, stressing that if the roads where not properly fixed before the crusade begins, it would create bad impression about the state and the country in general.
Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State would, from January 4 to 9 2016 host renowned gospel preachers in Nigeria and Christian participants from over 50 countries in Africa and the world who would be coming into the town for a mega crusade.
The crusade, according to its organisers; Ministers Prayer Network International, would take place at their camp ground located on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway opposite 144, Army Battalion, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
Bishop Mossy Madugba, the convener in a press briefing with journalists at the Christian Pentecostal Mission Church, Rivers Lane, off Eziukwu Road said the event entitled “Global Mega Prayer Quake” would be attracting renowned preachers such as Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai, Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta Province, Ugochukwu Uwaoma Ezuoke and Anglican Bishop of Aba Ngwa Diocese, Nathan Kanu, among other great men of God that would be ministering.
Speaking on the effect of the revival on the participants, the city and Abia State, Madugba said: “It will bring reconciliations in homes. It will bring healings to the sick and the oppressed. Light will come into the midst of darkness and I am expecting all these things to begin to happen as a result of the gatherings that we will be having in January at Asa.”
Continuing, he added: “Hundred and two years ago, there were three different prophetic words from a man called William Seamore, Charles Parham and a woman called Maria Woodworth Eta; that there would be a great revival that will help transform society and prepare the church for what God wants her to do.
“We haven’t seen the revival and we have read from the books that revivals don’t just happen. They happen when people come together and begin to seek God. So, I came here to meet with the church in Aba to encourage them to seek God. Who knows whether we can have that prophesied revival start in Aba?
“Aba is in the East and people from the East are forerunners. When Jesus was born, the three wise men came from the East. The three men that came with gold, frankincense and myrrh were from the East. And the totality of the leadership of the church in Aba seems to have embraced the idea and have decided to host a major revival event, trusting God that that prophecy will be fulfilled in our day and in the city of Aba.
“Aba has had a history of revival in the 70s immediately after the civil war. There was this awakening in Aba where people really came to God with pure hearts to serve God and missionaries. Evangelists and gospel crusaders went out from Aba to every part of Nigeria. Periodically, we need meetings such as this to revive and restore the spirit of those that have backslidden.
“But we have not had awakening for so long; so the spiritual man has grown weak. That is why it seems as if sin reigns even in the church which is more like just a meeting place. But we believe that when a revival breaks out, there is going to be awakening of the spirit man and which will over power the influence and insinuations of the flesh. Nobody will have appetite for sin and evil doing.”
While assuring that arrangements have been concluded to take care of participants’ accommodation and security of lives, he appealed to the state and the Federal Government to fix the dilapidated Enugu-Aba, Aba-Port Harcourt and Ikot-Ekpene-Aba expressways, stressing that if the roads where not properly fixed before the crusade begins, it would create bad impression about the state and the country in general.
Activities in the commercial city of Aba in Abia State were yesterday stalled as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) continued its protest for the release of its leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Though the protest was peaceful, vehicular movement was grounded as the group marched on double lanes of major roads. The Aba-Owerri Road, Azikiwe Road, Faulks Road, Tonimas, Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway and other entry and exit routes were blocked.
It was gathered that the group, yesterday, went round major markets in Aba and warned traders against opening for business. The order was obeyed except for shop owners within streets who though opened, closed down upon sighting the crowd.
Most public and private schools opened for business though they said it was a risky gamble owing to the tension in town. Most proproetors said they could not close as they were preparing for the December break.
Banks witnessed low patronage as only few customers came for business.
Sources said the protesters blocked the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and prevented vehicles from entering Aba.
The protesters said they would not relent in their quest to get freedom for Kanu. 65- year-old Jude Iheme, a pastor, said the actualisation of Biafra was revealed to him in a dream and so he would not relent until Biafra was realised.
“I don’t believe in violence or arms bandying because I am a pastor. Since I got a revelation about Biafra, I have been preaching about it everywhere I go and always joined any pro-Biafra protest because we need to be free.”
Another protester said the protest would continue so far the Federal Government refuses to release Nnamdi Kanu, saying that there would be another protest on the next adjourned date of his trial.
“Nnamdi Kanu is our leader, there is no way we will remain quiet while he is facing trial unjustly. How many of the Boko Haram leaders have they arrested and tried?”
The protest ,which started at about 7am went on till about 5pm as members of the group were seen on the streets of Aba still protesting.
Residents have however lamented their loss since the protest started. They said continuing the protest in December, a period regarded as the peak of economic activities would not be in the interest of business owners.
They urged President Muhammadu Buhari and authorities concerned to seek ways of ending the agitations.
There is no going back on the relocation of illegal street traders in Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State.
Enyimba City bustles with business but not all of that enhances its aesthetics or vehicular movement, the government reckons, which explains why the Okezie Ikpeazu administration set about relocating illegal street traders.
Some of the affected traders have expressed their discomforts, while some others criticised the state government’s action, but the administration has said the operation will continue until the city is sanitised and decorum brought to bear on it.
The government also said after the relocation of the traders to the Goodmorning Market, in Ngwa Road, the train will move down to the Abattoir Market at Waterside and from there to other locations where street trading constitutes an environmental nuisance.
The government explained that the Abattoir Market traders will have to be relocated to another place because of the dredging and expansion of the Aba River which will recommence very soon.
The entire exercise is part of the large-scale programme of infrastructural renewal and environmental restoration of the city of Aba for which the government created the Aba Urban Renewal Office and which is aimed at sanitising the city and restoring its original map, said Mr Godwin Adindu, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary.
He added that the broad-based programme of restructuring Aba is a cardinal policy thrust of the Ikpeazu administration and one it is pursuing with passion, dedication and every sense of duty.
The restructuring programme involves a general review of the state of the open markets and a general overhauling of the leadership of the markets including the associations and the different caretaker committees appointed by government to oversee issues and matters of the markets.
It is for this reason that the government has had to dissolve many of the committees and leadership of the many market associations in Aba, and also had to appoint a Market Review and Development Committee headed by Mr. Solomon Nwaigwe with the brief to conduct a general review of the state of the markets and proffer solutions for charting a new course for the markets.
The government said street trading and street hawking cause a lot of menace both to traffic flow and environmental decency and poses a great risk to the life of the traders and that is why government has provided alternative market places for these illegal street traders.
“Nowhere in the world is the culture of street trading tolerated anymore and therefore Aba traders and residents must cooperate with government agents in the efforts to sanitise Aba and bring decorum to the city and its markets and desist from actions that could lead to confrontation with constituted authority,” Adindu said.
“Therefore, political jobbers and enemies of the state who are cashing in on this sanitation exercise to generate crisis and foment trouble are well advised to rethink their mischief. They must desist from acts and statements capable of inciting Aba residents against one another and causing the breach of the prevailing peace in the land.
“Government recognises that the mandate to rebuild Aba and other major Abia cities would certainly come with sacrifices and requires the cooperation of all Abians and this is in the overall interest of us all.”