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Tag: Ikpeazu

  • Abia makes N1.3b from Made-in-Aba campaign, says Ikpeazu

    Over N1.3b has been injected into Abia State’s economy since the campaign for purchase of made-in-Aba products, commenced, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has said.

    Ikpeazu, while speaking yesterday at the investiture of Rtn. Andy U. Obasi, as the 15th President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, said the money came from both direct order and expenditure into Aba economy.

    He said that his government was not relenting on its oars as efforts were already on ground to ensure that Aba made produce gain the international recognition and as well put food on the tables of Aba artisans who toiled to all day to make the wares.

    According to the Abia State Governor “Having served for at least, 24 months as the chief servant of Abia State, I will say that I have been able to change the timidity of the Aba business person from spending 18 hours and preparing shoes only to wake up and acknowledge somebody in Japan who did not do anything by just stamping on that shoes made in Japan.

    “It is for this reason that I took to begin to market from my first day all products that are made in Aba. And I thank God that that effort which many people didn’t see as a wise and worthwhile one has brought Mr. Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo twice to Aba in particular.

  • Ikpeazu seeks U.S partnership for Enyimba free zone

    Ikpeazu seeks U.S partnership for Enyimba free zone

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has solicited the partnership of the United States of America (U.S.A) in the proposed Enyimba Industrial Free Zone in the state.

    The governor spoke in umuahia, the state capital, when he hosted U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington.

    He said small scale manufacturing was one of the state’s strongpoints for sustaining its growing economy.

    Ikpeazu told the Ambassador that his administration had dedicated 9,000 hectares of land for the development of an industrial cluster.

    The governor said Abia State needed the U.S as one of the promoters of the industrial free zone.

    He said: “Small scale manufacturing is one of our strongpoints. This is why my administration has dedicated 9,000 hectares of land for the development of an industrial city where common facilities, security, power and all that is needed to perform the kinds of manufacturing functions would be put in place.”

    The governor noted that the industrial cluster is located in such a way that it “is about 40-minute drive from two seaports and one hour from two international airports – in Owerri (Imo State) and Port Harcourt (rivers State.

    He said: “Most importantly, Abia boasts most skilled labour and workforce in Nigeria. There’s no state that can boast of manpower like Abia. This is why we think having an industrial free zone would be the beautiful bride of industrial development in Nigeria.

    “We are looking for 500 companies that can take advantage of the facility in our offering. Our industrial free zone is backed by law so that we are sure it will outlive my administration. That is our way of securing the investments of those who will come. We want to enlist you to be one of the promoters of that industrial free zone.”

    Symington said his visit was to get insight into the governor’s vision and what he was doing for the state’s development.

    He said: “I came here for a very simple reason but a profound idea. I came here because every state in Nigeria is important to the government and people of the United States. If Nigeria does better, the entire Africa does better.

    “The ties between our countries are strong. We have a profound interest in the success of your country and each of your people. We are here to understand your vision and what you’re doing to move that vision forward.”

     

  • No automatic ticket for Ikpeazu, others in Abia says PDP

    The Abia State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says  it won’t give automatic ticket  to its members aspiring for any elective position in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The party said it would provide a level playing ground for all aspirants irrespective of the position involved. The state Chairman of the party, Chief Johnson Onuigbo made the decision of the party known at the end of the State Working Committee meeting held in Umuahia, the State capital. He pointed out that the state PDP has resolved to do away with all manner of impositions and impunity in the party. Onuigbo noted that the party also passed a vote of explicit confidence on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu based on his performance during the last two years and six months in office.    “We urge all our party faithful to remain loyal, steadfast and continue to have confidence in party leadership.”

    A group, World Igbo Youth Council, WIYC, yesterday called on the people of Abia State not to make the mistake of re-electing Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a second term in office. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Alex Okemiri,  the WIYC said Gov. Ikpeazu had done nothing to guarantee him a second term in office. According to them: “Civil servants in Abia State have never had it so hard since the return to democracy in 1999, and the man at the saddle at this point in history, appears not ready to bring to table any strategy to make their lives better. “Apart from civil servants, pensioners are also groaning with several months of pension arrears. All these are happening despite the several bail-out funds and Paris Club refund, as well as the monthly statutory allocation and internally generated revenue. “It only shows that the governor is either insensitive to the plight of workers or lacks the wherewithal to govern Abia State.” “It has taken Ikpeazu 28months to build drainage from Osisioma Junction to Aba Main Park, a two-kilome tre road,yet there’s no hope to complete it. This has continued because the current administration is not prepared for governance. As such, it will be a disservice to the people to think of re-electing the governor in 2019. The remark of the WIYC has been condemned by the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC). In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Engr Obinna Adibe , the OYC said it was high time faceless groups stopped stoking ember of crisis in Igbo land. While noting that it knew the people behind the media attack on Ikpeazu, the group described the discourse on 2019 Abia governorship election as premature.

    It said, “We have followed closely the World Igbo Youth Council and so we know those behind the mask; we know their paymasters. “However, we want to make it categorically clear that this is not time for any form of politicking, more so as the Independent National Electoral Commission  has �not lifted the ban on political campaigns. “In addition, the WIYC has no locu standi to decide the fate of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2019. Only the people of Abia reserve that right and nobody can take if from them. “It is then not just illegal but criminal for any group to start talking about who will occupy the Abia Government House in 2019.

    “We caution that we will not allow desperate politicians, who want power through the back-door, to destabilize this state. If they don’t stop forthwith, we shall in the next seven days publish names of all the people behind that media attack. “While the Ohanaeze Youth Council laud Ikpeazu for his effort at industrializing Abia State, we call for calm in the state. “We �also undertook a discreet investigation over the receipt of the intervention funds by Abia Government. Overall, Abia received a total sum of N16.3 billion  from the Paris Club refund and deployed N11.6billion to service workers/pensioners wage bill. This translates to a commitment of more than 71% of total receipt to service workers’ salaries and pension. “The transparency of the exercise was applauded by ICPC, who singled out Abia and two other states for their transparency in the disbursement and utilization of the fund. �So, we believe that Ikppeazu is on course. “At the appropriate time, we shall make our ratings public, not just on Ikpeazu but other governors in the South-East.”

  • Kanu’s whereabouts: Ohanaeze slams group over allegations against Ikpeazu, Abaribe

    Kanu’s whereabouts: Ohanaeze slams group over allegations against Ikpeazu, Abaribe

    THE Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, yesterday slammed a South- East based group, the World Igbo Youth Congress, WIYC, for blaming Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for the disappearance of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Ikpeazu had told State House correspondents, after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, that it was not his duty to locate Kanu. But the WIYC, through its Deputy National President, Dr. Fidelis Ugwu insisted that the duo of Ikpeazu and Senator Abaribe had answers to Kanu’s whereabouts.

    Reacting to the claims, the OYC said it was childish and trivial for anyone to associate Ikpeazu and Abaribe with Kanu’s sudden disappearance. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Obinna Adibe, the OYC warned the WIYC not to toy with the name of the Abia governor, who had taken pains to address all the issues thrown up by the Biafra agitation to the satisfaction of everybody.

    He said, “It is petty for anyone to link Governor Ikpeazu with the sudden disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu. It is very much on record that Nnamdi Kanu was last seen the very day the Nigerian Army took the Operation Python Dance to his door step.

    “So, we insist that security operatives are in a better position to tell the current location of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Neither the governor nor Abaribe is a soothsayer or a detective to actually say whether Kanu is alive or dead as well as his present location.

    “The governor and his colleagues in the South-East rose to the occasion and averted what could have been another major mayhem in this zone. We believe, just like other men of goodwill, that the governor should be commended not vilified.

    “We, therefore, warn that any further attempt to drag these our leaders into this matter will be stoutly resisted. The era where fifth columnists infiltrate some desperate political jobbers to cast aspersion on our people is over.

    “By this notice, the WIYC, and all the people behind the group, are warned to desist from further attempt to disparage the governor of Abia State. If they continue with this untoward business, we shall ensure that they are fished out and disn

  • How Abia managed bailout, Paris refunds, by Ikpeazu

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has explained how the state spent the bailout and Paris Club refunds.

    The governor said his administration spent the funds to settle the backlog of salaries he inherited and improve infrastructure.

    Ikpeazu spoke yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) media conference for chief press secretaries and commissioners for Information from the 36 states.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, said the state imbibed a culture of transparency in governance by giving quarterly update on the administration’s affairs to Abia State residents.

    Speaking on the topic, titled: Application of the Paris Club Refund to State, Ikpeazu said: “The receipt of the intervention funds has become a source of concern to some analysts, pundits, social critics and political commentators. Some comments have been made in the print and social media which were half-truths and sometimes outright lies.

    “May I use this opportunity to briefly state the facts. Interestingly, the Abia State government received the following intervention funds from Federal Government: Bailout fund of N14.2 billion, first tranche of Paris refund of N10.6 billion and the second tranche of he Paris refund of N5.7 billion.

    “In line with the transparency approach to governance of the current administration, after the receipt of the first intervention (bailout) fund, the Abia State government constituted a committee made up of the different labour union leaders, namely the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Joint Negotiating Council.

    “The committee took charge of the disbursement of the funds to various areas of greater needs and exigencies.

    “Indeed, the exercise was conducted devoid of government intervention as 100 per cent of funds received were expended in the services of workers’ payments. This exercise was (by all known standards) transparent and applauded by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Co0mmission (ICPC), which singled out Abia and two other states for their transparency in the disbursement and utilisation of the fund.

    “Fifty per cent of the first tranche of the Paris Refund was dedicated to the payment of workers’ salaries and wages. We also disbursed an additional N600 million to augment the payment of workers’ salaries and wages. Thus, a total of N5.9 billion was spent therein.

    “The second tranche of the Paris refund received by Abia State was 100 per cent spent on workers’ salaries and pensions. This has greatly curtailed the salary arrears and responsibilities of the government.

    “Overall, Abia received N16.3 billion from the Paris Club refund and deployed N11.6 billion to service workers’/pensioners’ wage bill. This translates to a commitment of more than 71 per cent of total receipt to service workers’ salaries and pension.”

    On challenge the state was facing, Ikpeazu said: “The challenge has remained that while trying to clear the backlog of salaries, they keep piling as most of us can testify. This is as a result of the fact that allocations from the centre and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) have not been enough to carry the monthly wage bill and other responsibilities.”

    The governor also spoke on the efforts by his administration to ensure that workers get their salaries as at when due by introducing the verification and biometric to curb ghost workers.

    He said: “With the introduction of the verification and biometric exercises, some issues, such as ghost worker’ salaries, padding of salaries, multiplicity of people receiving salaries from various units of the government have been addressed.

    “This has assisted the state greatly, as the monthly wage bill has been reduced from an average of N2.8 billion to N2.1 billion. Thus, from this alone, a savings of about N600 million monthly has been achieved. When extrapolated in 34 months, this amounts to about N16 billion, which would have ordinarily gone into some individuals’ accounts.”

    The governor’s Chief Press Secretary Enyinnaya Appolos said: “The state government has brought about transparency and decency in the system. We have built more confidence on the relationship between the labour unions and the government. This can be attested to by the trade unions leaders and their members in the state.

    “Currently, the Abia State government is up to date with the salaries of its ministries, department and agencies (MDAs). In essence, these are the painstaking reforms we have carried out since the inception of this administration.

    “This does not suggest that Abia is not owing some outstanding salaries.”

     

  • Ikpeazu slams soldiers for harassing Abia residents

    Ikpeazu slams soldiers for harassing Abia residents

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has frowned at what he called “illegal and extremely provocative” actions of the Army against residents of Aba and other parts of the state.

    Ikpeazu expressed dismay about “the unwholesome activities” of some soldiers, who he accused of subjecting the civil populace to corporal punishment and alleged extortion.

    The governor noted that the actions of the soldiers were more prevalent on Bende-Umuahia Road, Ohafia township and within Aba and its environs.

    A statement yesterday quoted the governor as saying the actions of the soldiers were not only illegal and extremely provocative, but that they were also capable of causing civil unrest.

    It said they could also distort the peaceful atmosphere “we have worked very hard to put in place in the state”.

    Ikpeazu, who said his administration had always indicated its preparedness to cooperate with security agencies in carrying out their lawful operations within the state, added that it would not condone a situation where the presence of the Army would become a platform to assault the basic rights of the people and subject them to inhuman and degrading treatments.

    The governor directed the Commander of the 14 Brigade at Ohafia and other heads of Army formations in the state to monitor the activities of their men and stop untoward practices.

    He said: “The Government of Abia State shall no longer condone this unwarranted assault on the people of the state. Our people, as law-abiding citizens, are fully entitled to their basic freedoms and fundamental rights to life, personal liberty and dignity of the human person.

    “These rights are guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the same law from which the Army derives its authority. These rights can only be tampered with in accordance with laid-down legal procedures and not according to the whims and caprices of individual Army officers.”

  • IPOB: I won’t dethrone Kanu’s father – Ikpeazu

    IPOB: I won’t dethrone Kanu’s father – Ikpeazu

    The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, said on Tuesday he would not dethrone the father of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over the group’s activities.

    Kanu’s father, Eze Israel, is the traditional ruler of Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia.

    The activities of IPOB in recent times had been threatening the lives and properties of residents in Abia and Igbos in other parts of the country.

    That had also led to the deployment of security personnel to Umuahia and proscription of IPOB.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the governor said he would separate the father from the son in handling the matter.

    He said: “I clearly separate Kanu from his father. The processes of handling traditional institutions are enshrined in the laws of our land. And traditional rulers who are members of our constituency have leadership and they will do the needful at the appropriate time.

    “But for me, I think there is a clear division between Nnamdi Kanu and his father.”

    On the activities of IPOB, Ikpeazu added: “But if you are referring to what happened in the past one week. Nigerians know that for some time now that this group called IPOB was agitating for a separate nation called Biafra and that the home state of the leader of that group is Abia State.

    “As expected, when such things happen there is an interface between some members of that group and the military, and the theater was Abia State.

    “And some people attempted to hijack that event to conflagrate our country. To the glory of God the rest is history, we are still working to stabilize the fragile peace in the region.

    “I thank God also for the instruments he used to keep our country as one. We are humbled by the privileges.”

     

  • Governors: We won’t allow agitators to divide Nigeria

    Governors: We won’t allow agitators to divide Nigeria

    • North’s governors visit Wike, Ikpeazu
    • Military leaving Aba

    Governors launched yesterday a peace move in the Southeast.

    Five from the North visited Rivers  and Abia states, preaching peace. They also addressed Northerners, telling them to remain calm, following the tension generated by the activities of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The governors were led by Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima. Others are Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu promised to defend Nigeria’s unity, despite the IPOB agitation.

    “We will not allow a few agitators to divide Nigeria,” Ikpeazu told the delegation.

    He thanked them for the visit and assured them of the safety of northerners in the Southeast.

    Shettima praised Southeast governors for their efforts in ensuring that the  clash of IPOB members with the military did not escalate.

    The Borno governor said the governors were in Abia to show solidarity with  Ikpeazu, adding that the governor refused to be drawn into ethnicity.

    Shettima said: “We the Northern Governors Forum and the entire country want to thank you for rising up to the challenges of leadership by declaring the curfew that brought a lot of sanity to the state during the clash between IPOB and the military.”

    Shettima said what Ikpeazu did during the crisis went a long way to bringing peace.

    He said: “We are here as Northern governors who respect and promote the unity of Nigeria, we are here to thank Governor Ikpeazu for his leadership role in the heat of the crisis, he rose to the occasion, he saved the nation from the precipice.

    “We the leaders of this country have a major role to play in bringing peace to this nation and leadership is about symbolism, we are here to show solidarity with the Abia governor.

    “We have a moral obligation as leaders and governors to ensure the country remains one indivisible entity. We are proud of the Igbo nation, they are our brothers. We have to make this country work

    “Nigeria is a unique nation, despite our challenges.   We don’t want any mass exodus of Nigerians from any part of the country.”

    On the quit notice for Igbo to leave the North by October 1, Shettima said nobody had the right to chase any Nigerian out of any part of the country. “Ndigbo are part of Nigerian economy. Those agitating for break-up don’t know much about this country.”

    Immediately after meeting with Ikpeazu, the governors addressed leaders of northern communities resident in the state in Hausa language at the Government House.

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike told the Shettima delegation that his state believes in Nigeria’s unity.

    Shettima said the governors were in Rivers State to identify  with  Wike and praised him  for nipping in the bud the unfortunate  conflict  that erupted in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

    The North’s delagation’s two-day vist to the Southeast and Southsouth is part of efforts to douse tension and promote peace and dialogue.

    According to a statement by Tambuwal’s spokesman Imam Imam, the visit got President Muhammadu Buhari’s blessing. Buhari met with the gopvernors in Abuja before departing for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

    Shettima said: “Governor Wike, we are mightily proud of you.  We are mightily associating ourselves  with you. Nigeria is greater than political differences. We belong to one political family and that is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    ”No interest should be bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You believe in the Nigerian Project. For that, we remain eternally grateful.”

    Shettima added that despite the unfortunate incidents in Abia, steps had been taken to ensure that there are no retaliatory attacks in different parts of the country.

    Wike said: “Rivers State believes in the unity of this country. Rivers State will not be a part of those calling for the disintegration of Nigeria. We owe it as a duty to protect every Nigerian living in the state.

    ”I will not allow any group to intimidate, harass or attack other Nigerians living in the state.  We are Rivers people and we belong to the Niger Delta.

    ”I am not against anyone who wants to protest any grievances, but there are channels for such protests.”

     

  • 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.

  • Gov. Ikpeazu declares 3-day curfew in Aba

    Gov. Ikpeazu declares 3-day curfew in Aba

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has declared a three-day curfew that will last between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the commercial city of Aba with immediate effect.

    Ikpeazu made the declaration in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Tuesday.

    He said that the measure was to calm tension occasioned by the proclamation of a military operation code-named ‘Operation Python Dance 2’ in the South-East.

    He said that his administration was committed to the protection of lives and property and had to take such measure to protect residents of the state.

    “Abia State has for the past few days been the focus of security searchlight.

    “This is occasioned by the reported skirmish between some groups in the state, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with men of the Nigerian Army.

    “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 South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria.”
    Ikpeazu said that the military operation was to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, among 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 governor said that the state is a component part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that he subscribed to the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution and all other extant laws.

    “The state government 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, however, 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.

    “Meanwhile, Aba residents are advised to observe a curfew from 6p.m to 6 a.m. from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14.

    “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.”

    Ikpeazu urged residents of the state to go about their normal legitimate businesses without fear or favour.

    Meanwhile, Dr Unya Okocha, a medical doctor with Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), has reacted to the development.
    Okocha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba that the curfew was necessary to stop possible bloodshed that could arise from confrontation with military men.

    He said that the cause of the trouble was that after Sunday’s clash with IPOB men in Umuahia, the army surrounded Nnamdi Kanu’s house with armoured cars.

    According to him, the anger of the IPOB people is rising and extending to Aba, hence the action by the state government to forestall clashes that can be bloody.

    He said that the curfew would take social and economic toll on the residents of the commercial city.

    However, in a reaction, Maj. Oyegoke Badamosi, the spokesman of 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, said that the army was quelling erupting unrest in Aba.
    Badamosi said that the army in Aba swung into action when it found that some miscreants were making bonfires on the roads to cause trouble in the city.

    Meanwhile, reliable police sources told NAN that some miscreants seeking opportunity to commit crimes had hijacked “IPOB sympathy protests” in Aba and turned it against the people.

    The source said that the action degenerated to breaking and looting of shops, resulting in the closure of Ariaria and other notable markets in the city, including roadside shops.