The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

  • IPOB slams Obasanjo over Fulanisation comment

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has flayed recent comment by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on fulanisation and islamisation of the country.

    The pro-Biafran group described the comment as belated.

    Obasanjo was reported to have bemoaned the high level of insecurity in the country, regretting that the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram and herdsmen were being treated with kids gloves.

    But IPOB in a statement on Sunday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, accused Obasanjo and other Nigerian leaders of conspiracy of silence in the trouble with Nigeria.

    It argued that the number of casualties would have been minimal if the former president had spoken out earlier against the so-called fulanisation and islamisation of the country.

    The group regretted that while its leader, Nnamdi Kanu was kicking against the misrule in the country, leaders like Obasanjo assumed an indifferent disposition.

    Read Also: Soyinka cautions govt on Obasanjo’s comments

    The statement read in part, “We say good morning to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is only now merely echoing what our leader, Nnamdi Kanu has been saying repeatedly for years.

    “The same way the high and mighty in Nigeria has now conceded to the inevitability of the destructive Fulanisation agenda championed by APC, one day they will swallow their pride and also concede that Nnamdi Kanu was also right about Jubril Al-Sudani all along.

    “Had the likes of Obasanjo spoken out earlier when our leader repeatedly warned of what was happening, many innocent victims of Fulani herdsmen would still be alive today, many ethnically cleansed communities in the Middle Belt would have been sparred also.”

  • Breaking: IPOB declares sit-at-home on May 30

    The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May, 30th sit-at-home in states under former Eastern and Middle Belt regions respectively.

    In a statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, the pro-biafra group said that the essence of the sit-at-home was in commemoration of Biafra fallen heroes.

    The IPOB leadership called on churches, mosques, synagogues and temples in Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa and other crisis areas to throw open their places of worship on the midnight of the 29th of May for special midnight prayers in remembrance of all that died as a result of violence and sponsored killings, adding that special vigil would be held at the homes of select Biafran heroes and heroines who were murdered in cold blood.

    It said: “We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) considers it imperative to use this great opportunity provided by the Most High God to announce the sit at home order throughout Biafra land and Nigeria in remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines whose sacrifice made it possible for this generation to be alive today.

    “We shall also remember all victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks, Boko Haram violence and those that died at the hands of Nigerian security agencies over the years that nobody remembers.

    “We are calling on all the people of Southern Kaduna, Middle Belt especially Benue, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, those affected by herdsmen terrorism in Ondo, Osun and other states in Yoruba land to join the great family of IPOB in observing a day of solemn prayer and sit at home to remember those that lost their lives unlawfully at the hands of Fulani terrorist herdsmen and security agencies even during the recently concluded fraudulent 2019 general elections.

    “This year’s remembrance and Sit-At-Home order will be special because it will present a unique moment of shared pains and misery for all the families that lost their loved ones to war, hunger, starvation, disease, terrorism and state sponsored killings going on now in the contraption called Nigeria.

    “We remember the heroic few that stood up against tyranny especially those that sacrificed their lives to defend the defenseless and those that lost their lives because there was no one to defend them.

    “There will be no human, vehicular or animal movement across Biafra land on the 30th May 2019. Biafra land will be in total lock down.

    “Middle Belt and Yoruba land brethren are advised to join this historic sit at home order to honour the memory of all that died unjustly in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Police allegedly kill IPOB member in Delta

    “Churches, Mosques, Synagogues and Temples are encouraged to open their places of worship on the midnight of the 29th of May for special midnight prayers in remembrance of all that died as a result of violence and sponsored killings.

    “Special vigil will be held at the homes of select Biafran heroes and heroines who were murdered in cold blood in Biafra land.

    “30th of May is now an annual remembrance event initiated by IPOB worldwide to honour our fallen Biafran soldiers without whom this generation of Biafrans would not have existed.

    “We owe our heroes and heroines of the class of 67-70 an incalculable debt of gratitude and shall honor them annually until the end of time. We shall never forget them as long as this world exists.

    “In our usual tradition, all IPOB families in the Diaspora must rally on the streets of their respective countries with written petitions ready to be submitted to the nearest United Nation offices and embassies of foreign missions in that country.”

     

  • ‘Election boycott will not work’

    The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has said calls for election boycott by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would not work.

    Okechukwu spoke during a rally for President Muhammadu Buhari in Enugu.

    He said: “People saying we should not participate in the election are in the fringe. If we were listening to them, why are the people spending their money, their strength running up and down to become one thing or the other?

    “So, please, we should discountenance the fringe elements because they belong to every society, even in the churches.”

    He urged Ndigbo, especially the youths, to come out and declare their support for Buhari in order to reap the benefits in the future.

    Read also: Why there is no alternative to Buhari-Osinbajo, by forum

    He said: “It is the responsibility of the youths, more than any other cadre, to recognise that Mr. President is working for them. That’s why the social investment programme is aimed at pulling people out of poverty.

    “Mr. President does not share money, but all the money that comes into the coffers of the Federal Government, he prudently manages. The youths should look into what Mr. President is doing because if you don’t have adequate electricity supply in the long run, we cannot develop. If we do not have modern transport system, we cannot develop.

    “What Buhari is doing now, especially in agriculture, is to prepare us for tomorrow.”

     

  • Fire razes police station in Anambra

    A police station in Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been burnt by hoodlums suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    It was alleged that some detainees were freed while some vehicles were also burnt.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums beat up policemen on duty, shouting ‘no referendum, no election in Biafran territory”.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said there were no casualties.

    Read also: Police deploy 55 CPs in states

    He added that the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura, had visited the scene and investigation was on.

    “It’s a fire incident for now until otherwise proven through investigation. The Commissioner of police is presently at the scene for on-the-spot assessment. He has ordered the DC Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to conduct investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident,” he added.

  • Army: we didn’t abduct, kill IPOB members

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu has denied the accusation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that soldiers killed members of the secessionist group, and also captured and took away some other IPOB operatives in the southeast.

    The leadership of the pro-Biafra group through its spokesman, Emma Powerful in a statement alleged that soldiers in Imo and Abia State were abducting, manhandling, wounding and killing members of the group indiscriminately in the two states.

    But the military speaking through its spokesman, Sagir Musa, in a counter press statement made available to The Nation, stated that the military never manhandled, shot, wounded, abducted or killed any person including IPOB members in any part of the Southeast.

    Musa in the release stated that the military as a professional and responsible organisation under the leadership of Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai has often made it clear that it will not encourage or condone any form of professional misconduct among its personnel across the country especially as it concerns human rights abuses.

    The Army spokesman said the Nigerian Army would not ordinarily join issues with an “illegal organisation,” but decided to respond in order to set the record straight against what it described as divisive, selfish and wicked propaganda and misinformation being perpetrated by a proscribed group.

    Musa in the release maintained that the Nigerian Army in the Southeast under 82 Division, would not be deterred by the IPOB propaganda, but continue to ensure that they protect life and property in the zone.

    He further stated that the Nigerian Army under the 82 Division is poised to ensure peaceful and secured conduct of free, fair and credible 2019 general elections in the Southeast.

    While urging members of the public to disregard the rumours being peddled by IPOB, Musa disclosed that the military does not detain civilians in the conventional army detention camps except when someone is involved in terrorism act or any form of insurrection, among others.

    “For awareness and further clarification, civilians are not detained in conventional army detention centres except under exceptional situations such as on charges of terrorism, insurgency or any form of armed insurrection, among others. So, anyone arrested by the NA during the ongoing Exercise EGWU EKE III has been handed over to the civil police for further necessary action.

    “Members of the public are hereby requested to disregard any form of divisive and inciting propaganda particularly the ones coming from the likes of miscreants and outlawed organisations like IPOB,” the release read.

  • Call for election boycott in South East won’t work – VON DG

    The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu has declared that calls for election boycott by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), would not be a threat to Saturday’s general elections.

    Okechukwu spoke in Enugu during a South-East rally for President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The rally was packed by a coalition of Igbo Youth Organizations in support of Buhari’s re-election.

    Okechukwu said: “People who are saying we should not participate in the election are in the fringe.

    Read Also: IPOB and futility of election boycott

    “If we were listening to them, why are the people spending their money, their strength running up and down to become one thing or the other.

    “So, please, we should discountenance the fringe elements, they belong to every society, even in the churches.”

    He urged Ndigbo, especially the youths, to come out and declare their support for Buhari in order to reap the benefits in the future.

    He said: “The youth more than any other cadre, it is their responsibility to recognize that Mr. President is working for them. That’s why the social investment programme is aimed at pulling people out of poverty.

    “Mr. President does not share money, but all the money that comes into the coffers of the Federal Government, he makes sure that they are prudently managed. And the youths should look into what Mr. President is doing because if you don’t have adequate electricity supply in the long run, we cannot develop. If we do not have modern transport system, we cannot develop.

    “What Buhari is doing now, especially in the area of agriculture, is to prepare us for tomorrow.”

    The chairman of the local organizing committee of the event, Mazi Alex Okemiri said Ndigbo stand to benefit so much from Buhari’s re-election.

    “We have settled for President Buhari because it is the shortest way to Igbo presidency. He is als a President that is accessible; so we are calling on all the youths to key into this project,” Okemiri said.

    Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Youth Organizations, Alhaji Abubakar Abdulahi urged Igbo youths to key into Buhari’s re-election agenda, noting that Buhari remained a man of integrity who had never embezzled resources even as a young military governor.

    “If he did not squander money as a young man, he cannot start doing so at over 70”, he stated.

     

  • Soldiers arrest IPOB members, rescue kidnapped lawyers

    Soldiers attached to Goodluck Jonathan Army Barracks, 14Brigade Ohafia, Abia State have reportedly arrested five members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

    Information gathered by our reporter has it that the IPOB members were said to be part of the pro-Biafra group that disrupted church service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abayi, Ariaria in Osisioma Local Government Area on Sunday, January 27.

    Investigation by our reporter has it that the atmosphere in the church got charged when some of the IPOB members who were also at the church prevented a politician from the ruling PDP in the state from addressing the church.

    Sources at the venue stated that attempts by the presiding priest, Reverend Father Nathaniel Oyedike failed as members of the group and some parishioners joined in signing and chanting pro-IPOB songs which brought the service to close abruptly.

    It was gathered that the parishioners and IPOB members who insisted that they would rather have a referendum than being part of the 2019 election in the state and other Southeast states stormed outside the church and in the process, damaging all the glasses of a PDP branded Sienna bearing the picture of the incumbent senator representing Abia Central and former Governor of the State, Theodore Ahamefule Orji.

    Confirming the arrest of the IPOB members, a source from 14Brigade disclosed that the pro-Biafra members were arrested by troops of Sub sector Bravo in conjunction with the personnel of Nigerian police, Abia State Command that moved to the area and effectively salvaged the situation.

    “At the scene, it was reported that IPOB members were shouting no elections in Biafra land and also attempted to beat the pastor; Reverend Father Nathaniel Oyedike. A vehicle and some chairs were reportedly damaged in/within the church premises.”

    The source who spoke anonymously also stated that as part of the gains of the ongoing Egwueke III, personnel of Sector 2, Sub sector Charlie stationed at Ubakala junction in Umuahia South LGA based on a distressed call rescued two lawyers; Barrister Loveth Nonye Ofoegbu and Barrister Kaodi Onuoha who were reportedly kidnapped along Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government of the state.

    Read Also: Pray for soldiers in theatres of war — Ambode

    The soldiers were said to have started stop and search operation on the road when they got information of the kidnap and on sensing danger, abandoned their victims and made away to a nearby bush.

    The source who noted that the military have recorded successes since the inception of the Egwueke III disclosed that said that the troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector Alfa raided a hideout of suspected armed robbers in Ahaba, Imenyi community of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State where an armed robbery suspect, one Mr. Chidiebere Orji was arrested while other members of his gang are said to be at large.

    Investigation however indicated that the gang members were alleged to be behind the robbery of Mr. and Mrs. Kelechi Orji at their residence in Ahaba Imenyi community where they carted away Four Million Naira.

    Items reportedly recovered from the residence of the suspects include a locally made pistol, two unexploded cartridges and 2 handsets. This is as the suspect and the items would be handed over to the Abia State Police Command for possible prosecution.

    “Communal conflict between Azoruike autonomous community and Amanator autonomous community of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State was averted by troops of Sector 2, Sub sector Alfa in 14 Brigade Area of Responsibility in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Abia State command. The incident happened on the 27th of January 2019, and has led to the destruction of few houses, cars and motorcycles.

    “In order to ensure a lasting peace, security agencies led by the Nigerian police, convened a peace meeting with the traditional rulers, youth leaders and presidents general of the communities in order to forestall future occurrence. Normalcy has since been restored in the two communities.

    “Troops on the Exercise, on routine mobile patrol at Ozuabam axis were alerted of  farmers-herders clash at Ndi Okereke community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, where some herdsmen were alleged to have allowed a flock of cows to destroy some farm crops. The incident led to the killing of five cows.

    “Consequently, the area commander of Ohafia police Division and his team, Personal Assistant to Abia State Governor on Mobilization Mr. Chukwuma Ndika conveyed a peace meeting at the community hall between the two factions with the view to finding a lasting solution to the crisis. Situation has been normalized at the moment,” the source hinted

     

     

  • Avoid violence, support the Army – Igbo group charges

    Igbos in Nigeria Movement has urged the people of the south-east states to be discerning in their choices in the general elections saying that strategies that have failed the region in the past must not be repeated again since they will yield the exact same results.
    The movement, which spoke through its President, Maxi Ifeanyi Igwe in Abuja on Friday also urged Igbos to cooperate with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in ensuring that the elections are not hijacked by thugs that hide under agitation to foment trouble.
    Igwe called on Igbos to disregard the call by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu for the boycott of the elections even as he noted that such demand can only be made by someone that is interested in getting the Igbos to be labelled as anti-democratic elements that did not support the entrenchment of democracy.
    He stressed that “The Igbo states, being peaceful, would not have needed the Army’s nationwide Operation Python Dance had IPOB and other divisive elements not engaged in a needless sabre-rattling that created the impression that war is afoot. But this is not who we are in Igboland, we are pro-democracy any day and we will not allow history to misjudge us as a people because of a few recalcitrant renegades.
    “Every other geo-political zone has been agitating for restructuring and what we have seen them doing is getting candidates across the spectrum to commit to pursuing this agenda. The people of these other geo-political zones have in essence made a strong statement that the agitation for true fiscal federalism will pick up pace once they have elected candidates that are favourably disposed to restructuring.
    “The south-east cannot, in this sense, be different by trying to achieve the same objective through violence and calling for the disintegration of the country as IPOB and Kanu are doing. The region must also not make itself unnecessary enemies by being abusive of other ethnic nationals and directing hate speech against them as we have seen from Kanu since he resurfaced from hiding,” he noted.
    Igbos in Nigeria Movement’s president counselled against bloc support while asking that Igbos should freely
    vote for candidates of their choice without feeling coerced. According to him, “Past experience has shown that Igbos are singled out for undesirable special treatment each time they vote as a bloc for a candidate, something that the other ethnic nationalities do not do. Other geo-political zones allow their people to vote for candidates of their choice, which ensures that whoever emerges the winner will not feel than an entire geo-political zone or ethnic group voted against them.

    Read Also:Army deploy 95 percent troops for polls

    “This is why we advise those creating the false impression that the entire Igbo nation has endorsed any one particular candidate to desist from the unwholesome act as it would be unfair for them to set up the entire south-east for victimization when a wrongly endorsed candidate loses the election as happened in the past.
    “We also urge our people to shun violence and other political actions that inimical to the growth and development of Nigeria.
    This appeal becomes necessary given the worsening instances of threats and counter threats that politicians are issuing against each other. Our people need to read between the lines and appreciate that the ancestral homes of these candidates and cities where they have huge business investments will at no time record political violence even if we allow impassioned support for the them to ignite Igboland.
    “Not only must the people refrain from violence we urge our people in Igboland to support the Nigerian Army and all security agencies that have deployed to maintain the peace during the elections. The support to the army and other agencies is to ensure that thugs that have been hired to unleash violence on the political opponents of their paymasters do not succeed. The people must also be careful of the incitement from IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is now clearly acting out a script that does not accommodate the interest of the Igbos,” Igwe charged.

  • 34 suspected IPOB members arrested

    The Police Command in Anambra has arrested 34 suspected members  of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in connection with the killing of a police Inspector in Nnewi.

    SP Haruna Mohammed , spokesman of the command made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

    Haruna said that some personnel and a Divisional Police Officer ( DPO ) were  also wounded while  a police patrol van was set ablaze.

    The spokesman said that anti-riot Police Mobile Force ( PMF ),Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), EOD and Special Anti-Cult Unit Personnel and conventional police have been deployed to Nnewi and environs.

    Haruna said that on Nov. 23 at about 11: 55 am, there was intelligence report that  members of IPOB were gathering  near  the Teaching Hospital, Owerri Road, Nnewi with intent to cause a breach of public peace.

    He said  following the report, the police patrol  teams led by the Area Commander, Nnewi, ACP Nnanna Ama, mobilized to the scene to disperse and prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.

    The spokesman explained that as soon as the team arrived, the IPOB members descended on them, set ablaze one patrol vehicle and attacked them with machetes and stones.

    Read Also: Two feared dead as IPOB, Police clash in Anambra

    “They  marched towards the Agbaedo Market shouting “No Elections without referendum.

    “The injured personnel were rushed to the hospital for medical attention; where the Inspector was certified dead by a medical doctor while the DPO and the ASP are presently receiving treatment,”he said.

    He said that the police joint team have commenced search operations for the recovery of two AK47 rifles and one Beretta Pistol with ammunition snatched from the slain Police Inspector and police officers.

    Haruna said that efforts were on to arrest other fleeing members of the group and bring them to justice.

    The police spokesman  urged  members of the public to go about their lawful businesses and reminded them that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation and its’ activities  illegal.

    NAN

  • Kanu’s disappearance: Sen Abaribe, two others to forfeit N100m each

    …Judge orders payment into court’s account

     

    Senator Eyinnnya Abaribe and two others, who stood surety for the fleeing leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu are to forfeit N100million over their inability to produce Kanu in court.

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja gave the order for temporary forfeiture of the N100m bail bond, which each of the sureties signed when they took Kanu on bail in April last year.

    Read Also:Nnamdi Kanu: Abaribe writes Nigeria’s ambassador to Israel

    Kanu, who is being tried for treasonable felony offence, was granted bail last year, with Abaribe, a Jewish leaders, Emmanuel Shallon and Tochukwu Uchendu standing as his sureties.

    At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, Abaribe and Uchendu were abent in court. They were also unable to produce Kanu, as earlier ordered by the court.

    In view of the development, Justice Nyako, who had threatened to order the arrest of the two sureties, who were absent in court, later changed her mind and directed the conversion of the bail bond, signed by each of the sureties, to cash and paid into the court.

     

    Details later…