The Nation Newspaper

Tag: abia

  • Nigerian Army investigates alleged attack in Abia

    Nigerian Army investigates alleged attack in Abia

    The Nigerian Army says it has commenced investigations into the alleged breach of human rights in the ongoing Operation Python Dance in the South-East.

    Col. Sagir Musa, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations in the 82 Division, made the disclosure in Enugu on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    NAN reports that videos of alleged tortures of some youth in some parts of Abia have gone viral in the social media.

    According to Musa, in line with the rules of engagement and code of conduct guiding internal security operations, those found wanting, if any, would be dealt with.

    “The Nigerian Army does not encourage or condone indiscipline and unprofessional conduct in any form,’’ he said.

    The army spokesman maintained that its troops did not kill anybody in Aba as insinuated in the social media.

    He explained that the Python Dance 11 was conducted every Ember month to check obvious criminal activities including kidnapping, armed robbery and the recent secession agitations in the zone.

    “Python Dance 1 was conducted in September 2016 in the zone and it was a huge success because rate of crime dropped drastically and people celebrated their yuletide peacefully.

    “Even road accident rates also dropped from reports by the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ),’’ he said.

    Musa regretted that the second exercise received high criticisms.

    He appealed to the general public to use the dedicated mobile phone numbers issued for credible and reasonable complaints about the conduct of the troops and the entire operations.

    In another development, the army spokesperson received the South-East Human Rights Situation Room led by Prof. Joy Ezeilo on the violence in the South-East.

    Ezeilo urged the military to adopt international human rights law and global best practices in carrying out the exercise in the zone.

    She solicited the partnership and cooperation of the Nigerian Army in sensitising the public to the operation, adding that the group had established a hotline, 09060002128 to receive reports of any infractions.

    The law professor appealed to residents of the zone to be law abiding and shun violence in any situation.

  • Photo news of Aba crisis

    Photo news of Aba crisis

    Following the current crisis in parts of Umuahia and Aba in Abia state betweenn the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and men of the Nigerian Army, pictures have emerged on the state of situation.

     

    IPOB - Army clash in Abia
    Photos of IPOB – Army clash in Aba
    IPOB - Army clash in Abia
    Photos from the IPOB – Army clash in Abia
    IPOB - Army clash in Abia
    Pictures from IPOB – Army crisis in Abia

    IPOB - Army clash in aba (1)
    Photos of IPOB – Army clash in aba (1)

     

     

  • Abia announces withdrawal of soldiers

    Abia announces withdrawal of soldiers

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has announced the withdrawal of soldiers from the streets of Aba and Umuahia, the state capital.

    Ikpeazu announcing this in a media chat with Journalists in Umuahia on Thursday said that the reason for the withdrawal was as a result of intervention from well-meaning Abians and Nigerians.

    The governor disclosed that he was going to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to urge him to suspend the planned Python Dance II exercise scheduled to commence later this month in the southeast and warned that the state wouldn’t entertain any form of agitation or protest on the streets of the state.

    Related: IPOB’s agitation a joke – Gov. Okorocha

    Ikpeazu who warned members and sympathizers of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to stop spreading false rumors urged residents to abide by the curfew throughout the period it would last. This is as he called for

    Part of his address read “Dear brothers and sisters, the security situation in the state in the past few days, which led to the deployment of soldiers into our state ahead of the Operation Python dance 11, has become of great concern to both the government and the citizenry.

    “After several interventions, I want to inform you that by tomorrow morning, there will be withdrawal of solders from the streets at Aba and Umuahia, apart from the pre-existing military checkpoints at various location in the state.

    “With the expected exit of soldiers from the streets, we must warn that we will not tolerate agitators and protesters taking over the streets for any reason at all.

    “I will also be meeting the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to discuss possible ways of relaxing the Operation Python dance 11 in the state for now.

    “Our attention have been drawn to ugly incidences of attacks on police stations and military posts at Aba and Umuahia and we hereby warn that we will no longer tolerate that, and all other acts that are capable of causing insecurity in the state.

    Also: Video: IPOB agitators begin stop, search for Northerners

     

    “We have also observed illegal acts of throwing petrol bombs and setting up of bonfires to obstruct free movements along some roads by suspected miscreants and wish to warn that such acts should stop forthwith.

    “To mischief makers who want to use Abia as their base, let me announce to you that henceforth, Abia will be too hot for you to carry out your wicked acts as the government will work with security agents to ensure the protection of lives and properties in the state without fear or favor. There will be no hiding place for you.

    “At about midnight yesterday, we received security reports that hoodlums and miscreants, some of whom were allegedly brought into the state by unscrupulous individuals, were mobilizing around Uratta road at Aba with a view to converging at Ariaria International Market to burn it down. Their aim was obviously to take advantage of the security situation in the state to cripple the economy of the state and cause widespread suffering.

    “It was this group that originated the rumors of attacks and counter attacks around the area and also tried to create panic to force people out of their homes to enable them execute their evil intentions under the cover of orchestrated crises.

    “Thankfully their plan was nipped in the bud by the combined team of soldiers and policemen that promptly moved to the area and later positioned around Ariaria market to protect the lives and properties of our people.

    “We have it on good authority that the same group of hoodlums attempted to burn down the police station at Ariaria market early today and security agents are currently on the hunt for them and those outside the state who are sponsoring their evil actions. Not even one of them will escape the full weight of the law.

    “Members and sympathizers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should henceforth desist from spreading false rumors capable of throwing our state into disorder. Those spreading such falsehood will be dealt with, according to the Law.

    “My fellow Abians, it is in the interest of all our citizens and residents for full and total peace and security to return to our state immediately. No meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere of violence and and anarchy.

    “Those at Aba are therefore advised to fully observe the current curfew in the city and ensure that they cooperate with security agents to maintain peace and order.

    “I swore to protect lives and properties of all Abians and residents and that I must do. I therefore call on all to support our efforts at making sure that lasting peace prevails in our dear state.”

  • Army investigates alleged Human Rights violation

    Army investigates alleged Human Rights violation

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Headquarters has said that they have commenced investigation of the video clip of alleged human rights violations by soldiers which has been trending on the social media.

    The stand of the army was contained in a statement signed by Col Sagir Musa Deputy Director Army Public Relation of the 82 Division Nigerian army saying that they are looking for the source and actors in the clip.

    The statement reads, “The attention of the Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a video clip trending on social media and other platforms purportedly showing troops humiliating some people at a check point in Abia State, Nigeria”.

    “The issue is being investigated with the view to ascertain the source and the actors in the clip. Our Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are quite clear and any officer or soldier that infringed on any of such directive if found guilty, will face full wrath of the military justice system”.

    “We would like inform the public that 82 Division is also aware of the planned misinformation and propaganda arrangement by the secessionists Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)”.

    “They intend to churn out prerecorded video clips aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army, causing disaffection among the citizens of this country. They will be using bogus, manipulated and photo-shopped photographs as well as video clips. The public should be wary of such mischief, scrutinize and report same to the Nigerian Army or any of security agencies”.

    “The Division wishes to reassure the public that it is determined to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in its area of operational responsibility, particularly the entire South East geo-political zone as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

    “We do not condone any act of indiscipline in the conduct of our operations and training exercises. Any claim of rights violation would be investigated and when confirmed, appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against the erring personnel”.

  • Police station attacked in Abia

    Police station attacked in Abia

    Unidentified persons have reportedly attacked the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters in the early hours of Friday.

    Information about the attack at the time of filing report is sketchy, though some sources said that there was no casualty.

    It was gathered that security have been beefed up at the Aba Area Command Headquarters and other Police Divisions in the commercial town when information about the attack filtered into the city.

    Detachment of policemen were seen at the road leading to the Area Command after it was cordoned off and Police rerouting cars heading towards that direction of the command.

    The Abia PPRO Geoffrey Ogbonna is yet to confirm the incident.

  • Ikpeazu extends curfew to Friday

    Ikpeazu extends curfew to Friday

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has extended the three-day dusk to dawn curfew he imposed on Aba to Friday, Sept. 15.

    Ikpeazu made this known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Enyinnaya Appolos, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Wednesday.

    He advised residents and visitors to cooperate with security agents in order to ensure the maintenance of law and order within the commercial city and its environs.

    Ikpeazu expressed displeasure that people were being compelled to raise their hands while passing through security checkpoints.

    He, therefore, urged security agents and all authorities concerned to ensure that such acts, and other forms of inhumane and barbaric treatment of people were discontinued immediately.

    NAN recalls that following security concerns the Abia Government on Tuesday clamped a three-day dusk to dawn curfew in the state’s commercial nerve centre beginning 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    The curfew has now been extended to Friday.

  • Abia extends curfew, summons traders, rulers to meeting

    The Abia State governmenment has exyended the dusk to dawn curfew it imposed on Aba, the commercial nerve centre till Friday.

    It also summoned traders, manufacturers and traditional rulers to a meeting with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the security situation in the state caused by the activities of separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the move by troops to keep the peace.

    A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Enyinnaya Appolos, announcing the curfew expension by one day, said: Governor Ikpeazu “wishes to advice residents and visitors to fully co-operate with security agents to ensure continuing maintenance of law and order within the commercial city and environs.

    “He also wishes to express his displeasure with the situation where people are compelled to raise their hands while passing through security checkpoints and hereby call on security agents and all concerned to ensure that such acts, and other forms of inhumane and barbaric treatment of people, are discontinued immediately.”

    There have been total compliance with the curfew as major Aba junctions such as Brass, Okigwe road, Osisioma, Azikiwe, Umuocham by Living Word were manned by policemen and soldiers.

    Traditional rulers from the 17 local government areas of the state, market leaders of all market associations in Aba, including Umuehilegbu Shoe makers, Bakassi shoe makers, Ariaria shoe makers and leaders of all markets in Umuahia, are expected at today’s meeting.

     “Also invited are stakeholders of Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma, Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas of the state”. The meeting will hold by 10am at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House Umuahia,” the statement said.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other agitators to pursue their interest within the confines of the law.

    The forum made the call following an alleged clash between troops conducting operation python dance 11 and members of IPOB in Abia state.

    ACF National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim Biu in a stetment said: “The ACF commends the prompt intervention of the Abia State Gover nor Okezie Ikpeazu,who has imposed a three-day dusk to dawn curfew on Aba in order to douse the tension and bring the situation under control.

    “With the dusk to dawn curfew in place, the military and other security agencies should ensure that peace and harmony in the areas affected are not only restored but sustained.

    “ACF also commends the efforts of  South East Governors Forum for setting up a Probe Committee to investigate the clash in order to unravel its remote causes and to proffer an enduring solution to such problems. Identified perpetrators of the crisis should be made to face the wrath of the law in order to serve as deterrent to others.”

  • Abia government extends curfew till Friday

    Abia government extends curfew till Friday

    Abia State government on Wednesday evening announced extension of the curfew it imposed on Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.
    In a release signed by Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ikeazu extended the three days curfew imposed on Aba to Friday, 15th September 2017.
    Part of the release read “The Governor wishes to advice residents and visitors to fully co-operate with security agents to ensure continuing maintenance of law and order within the commercial city and environs.
    “He also wishes to express his displeasure with the situation where people are compelled to raise their hands while passing through security checkpoints and hereby call on security agents and all concerned to ensure that such acts, and other forms of inhumane and barbaric treatment of people, are discontinued immediately.
    “It will be recalled that following security concerns and potential for breakdown of law and order, the Governor had announced the imposition of three days dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew at Aba from Tuesday 12/09/2017 to Thursday 14/09/2017.”
    Our reporter who until the time of this report was monitoring compliance to the government directives reports that there was total compliance.
    According to our reporter, many busy spots and roads were without its usual hustling and bustling and traffic jam associated with them as a result of the curfew.
    Major junctions such as Brass, Okigwe road, Osisioma, Azikiwe, Umuocham by Living Word were manned by security personnel of Nigeria Police Force and soldiers respectively.
    Residents who were not able to catch up with public transport trekked home.
    Some respondents who spoke to our reporter lamented the suffering and stress that have undergone within the days the curfew has lasted and appealed to the governor to consider relapsing the curfew.
  • Governor imposes curfew in Abia after soldiers/IPOB clash

    Governor imposes curfew in Abia after soldiers/IPOB clash

    A THREE-DAY curfew has been imposed on Umuahia and Aba as the government of Abia State battles to stem a major security problem.

    There has been a clash between soldiers and members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the state, prompting Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to take the action.

    The stay-at-home will run betwem 6pm and 6am for the period, the governor said in a statement he personally signed yesterday.

    Abia has been under security focus because of the activities of the separatist group and its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

    Last week the Army deployed troops for “Operation Python Dance 2”. During a “show of force” on Sunday, Kanu alleged that troops shot and injured his men near his Umuahia home.

    But the military said its men only shot into the air to scare away a mob that threw stones at its convoy.

    There was tension in different parts of Aba, as soldiers reportedly clashed with members of IPOB.It could not be confirmed if anybody died in the fracas.

    Some members of IPOB who left Aba for Umuahia in solidarity with Kanu were alleged to have been stopped by soldiers at Isiala Ngwa junction on the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway.

    The IPOB members who escaped after being stopped by the soldiers were said to have met another set of soldiers at Osisioma Junction, a few kilometers away. A face-off reportedly ensued.

    The soldiers were said to have shot sporadically into the air while the IPOB members moved towards Ariaria International Market. There was confusion. People ran helter skelter.

    The chaos at Osisioma stretched beyond Ariaria market to the Flyover Junction, a distance of over eight kilometres. Some vehicles were destroyed. Many people were injured.

    There was pandemonium within the city centre as soldiers cordoned off roads leading to the Aba Central Mosque to prevent hoodlums from vandalising the facility.

    They shot into the air to ward off intruders, and people ran for their lives. Traders hurriedly closed their business.

    Ikpeazu said: “Government notes and has observed the frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara – Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now.

    “Government is equally aware of the recent proclamation by the Nigerian Army of Operation Python Dance II within the Southeast geopolitical region of Nigeria.

    “The operation as declared by the Army is intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities.

    “The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB on Sunday, 10th September, 2017, could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.

    “The Abia State government unequivocally states that Abia is a component State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subscribes to the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other extant laws.

    “While the government of Abia State recognises the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives.

    “The Abia State government is committed to the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens and others residing and doing business within the geographical entity called Abia State.

    “Abians and others living within Abia are advised to remain law abiding and carry on their lawful business without fear, as efforts by government will be made to reduce friction between the civil populace and military personnel in the State.

    “Abia residents are advised to observe a curfew from 6pm to 6amfrom today 12/09/2017 to 14/09/2017.

    “Persons residing within the State are strongly advised to remain law abiding, while going about their lawful business without fear of molestation, and, not engage in any form of confrontation with military personnel or other security agents.

    “The government recognises the constitutional Right to Freedom of Movement for all Nigerians, but objects to the influx of people into Abia State for purposes of unsettling the enduring peace in the State.

    “Abia State will co–operate with security agencies to maintain the rule of law and order in the State.”

    The Southeast Governors’ Forum set up a seven-man committee to probe the Sunday clash between the Army and IPOB members in Umuahia.

    Mr Michael Udah, the forum’s Director of Media and Communications, in a statement, said the committee was expected to submit its report during the forum’s meeting on Friday.

    Udah did not mention the leader of the committee, but said that it was set-up to proffer lasting solutions to such problems and forestall future occurrences.

    Udah said the governors were consulting with stakeholders in the zone, including the military, to ensure clarity of positions.

  • Army apologises for invasion of Abia journalists centre

    Army apologises for invasion of Abia journalists centre

    The Commander of the 14 Brigade Nigeria Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Abdul Kalifah Ibrahim has condemned the military invasion of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Umuahia on Tuesday.

    The Army Chief who visited the Press Centre in company of the Naval Command and School of Finance Logistics Owerrinta Capt Abdulahi Aminu apologised for the attack, describing it as a disaster of unimaginable proportion.

    General Ibrahim promised to fish out the soldiers who carried out the unauthorised operation with a view to sanctioning them and called on journalists not to allow the invasion of their office to cause any bad blood between the army and them.

    While commending the journalists for their comportment and maturity during the invasion, the General promised to pay for the gadgets damaged by his men.

    He also promised to pay for the cell phone belonging to one of the journalists which went missing after the attack and warned soldiers to respect the rights of civilians during the operation python dance.

    After his visit, the deputy Director of Army Information, Col Musa Sagay  in Enugu came on behalf of the officer in charge of 82 division of the Nigerian Army, Major Gen Adamu Abubakar and condemned the action of the soldiers.

    Col Sagay said immediately his boss heard what happened, he was detailed to go to Umuahia to meet with journalists and appeal to them for calm as the Army is on top of the situation.

    “It is regrettable that this ugly incident happened to a group of people I have known and worked with since 2010-2011 when kidnapping was at its peak in the state and I would not want that cordial relationship to be spoiled.

    “I am in Umuahia on behalf of my boss Gen Abubakar who is the commander of 82 Div Enugu to express our concern over what happened on Tuesday which is not the normal way we operate.

    “I want to assure you that all those who took part in the action against journalists will be fished out and dealt accordingly, the Operation Egwu Eke (Python Dance) will commence from 15th of September to 14th of October and the exercise is not targeted at any group.

    “The exercise is targeted at all security flash points in the entire South East geopolitical zone which is the reason behind the army show of force but it is targeted at kidnappings, armed robbery, cultism, insurgency and session agitators,” Sagay stated.

    Col Sagay insisted that there is no military siege at the home of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu as being reported in some sections of the media, adding that the issue of insurgency starts in a small way which the soldiers will not allow.

    In his response Ezeogo Bonny Okoro said that it was a shame that the military would invade the NUJ state secretariat over the flimsy excuse that journalists were taking their pictures.

    Okoro wondered why the soldiers will not want their pictures taken as journalists would have been doing their job if such action occurred on the side of newsmen which never took place.

    He said that he was slapped, gun cocked at him while his IPad and the phones of his colleagues were smashed by the soldiers and called on the military hierarchy to fish out those behind the dastardly act and deal with them accordingly.