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Tag: Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

  • Nnamdi Kanu: Court okays suit seeking trial of Fani-Kayode, Abaribe

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has given permission for the commencement of a suit seeking to compel the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to investigate and prosecute former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and others over their alleged involvement in how Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) escaped from the country.

    Justice John Tsoho gave the permission on Friday after listening to applicant’s lawyer, Oghenovo Otemu, who moved a motion ex-parte for leave to commence an action for order of mandamus.

    Read Also:Nnamdi Kanu: Lawyer confirms Jerusalem appearance

    The judge said he was convinced that the applicant, Isaiah Ayugu, could proceed to properly apply for the order sought.

    Justice Tsoho ordered Ayugu to file a motion on notice to that effect and serve the respondents before the next date of November 22 this year.

    Ayugu, in the ex-parte motion, said he was concerned about the turn of event and the damage the scandal about Kanu’s disappearance and the claim that the Nigerian sate was responsible have had on the nation’s image both at home and abroad.

    He listed the Director General of the SSS, the SSS, the Inspector general of Police (IGP) and the NPF as respondents in suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1254/18.

    Ayugu argued that by recently revelation that Kanu was in Israel, it was evident that Fani-Kayode, Abaribe, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and others, who had accused the Nigerian Army of being behind Kanu’s disappearance, knew about the IPOB leader’s escape from Nigeria.

    The plaintiff stated, in a supporting affidavit, “that the said Nnamdi Kanu, the so called self-acclaimed leader of IPOB, da group that has long been proscribed and designated a terrorist group, is alive and was seen in Israel from where he called a world press conference and made a live broadcast of his new and renewed agenda for his group.

    “In the broadcast, Kanu boasted that he will bring ‘hell to Nigeria.’ It is therefore clear that, whilst Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ifeanyi Ejiofor,  Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Uchechi Kanu, leaders of Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state, the different civil liberty organisations and media practitioners and so many others too numerous to mention were making several dangerous claims that Nnamdi Kanu has been killed, abducted or being held by the Army,  they were aware that he was actually out of the country, by their collective or respective assistance, from where he resurfaced in video clips of him praying in Israel and subsequent video broadcast.

    “Because Senator Abaribe took Nnamdi Kanu on bail, the case against Nnamdi Kanu has not seen the light of the day as Nnamdi Kanu has now jumped bail.”

    The plaintiff said he intend to apply for an order of mandamus, mandating the respondents “to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu from Nigeria when, in fact, the Nigerian Army was accused of abducting, arresting, kidnapping, killing and assassinating him.

    “An order mandating the respondents to prosecute all persons suspected or indicted of involvement in aiding Nnamdi Kanu to evade justice.”

    “An order mandating the respondents to investigate and prosecute Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and all those who worked together to propagate and spread the inciting lies and falsehood that Nnamdi Kanu was abducted, arrested, kidnapped, detained, killed and assassinated by the Nigerian military, when indeed they were well aware of Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts, because they played roles in helping Nnamdi Kanu disappear from Nigeria.”

  • Human rights report scores Nigerian Army Operation Python Dance 3 high

    …. enumerates peace and stability as gains
    Despite stern  criticism coming from some  quarters, a human rights  group has hailed the success of the Nigerian Army Operation code named “Python Dance 3.”
    After remarkable gains in the first two editions, the military launched the third exercise early this year on the heels of the uncontrollable surge in kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, human trafficking  and other crimes in the South-East and parts of the South-South.
    The emergence and fright of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) further gave rise to the exercise according to the report released by HRCMG in Port Harcourt as parts of activities by the group to mark the country’s independence celebrations .
    After an incredibly successful seven month spell by the 82 Division Nigerian Army, the Human Rights and Crime Monitoring Group has expressed optimum satisfaction with the exercise.
    The renowned group, a coalition of selfless Nigerian intellectuals and professionals that monitors human rights concerns and security issues majorly in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of Nigeria, is ecstatic with the peaceful atmosphere in the region as the country marks it’s 58th anniversary.
    The Monitoring group highlighted some obvious gains of the Nigerian Army from the recent operation in a statement by Executive Director, Werigbelegha Zinake, last week.
    “The training exercise was successfully concluded without any major unanticipated incident. The exercise included deployment of troops  to strategic locations in the zone,” they began.
    “The duration of the exercise saw the entire south-east witnessing fewer crimes, while the south-east based separatists were unable to prevent people from going about their legitimate businesses. A purported sit at home order made by the IPOB  within this period of time was rejected by the populace.

    Read also: Army inflict heavy casualty on Boko Haram

    “There were attempts by separatist elements, mostly of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, and its affiliates to sabotage the exercise using propaganda intended to incite the populace against the Nigerian Army. This however failed to yield any meaningful impact unlike during Python Dance 2 and shows that the Nigerian Army has largely improved on its operation coordination and civil militray relations within the period.
    “The propaganda deployed by IPoB, including claims that troops were extorting motorists, failed to dent the integrity of Army personnel who had earlier been charged to adhere to the highest level of professionalism and the observance of the rules of engagement. This was further proven by our researchers who went out with security cameras to take photographs of the Nigerian Army personnel at the various locations whilst cartoon out their duties.
    “The preponderance of reactions in the zone is for the Army to not only sustain the exercise on an annual basis but to explore the possibility of increasing its frequency because of the latent threat posed by separatists and other criminal elements due to the econnomic viability of the region.
    “Even with these positive outcomes, an Abuja-based lawyer, Oleka Udenze, filed a suit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army and other parties to challenge the conduct of the exercise. This action is considered by our Coalition as an affront on the fundamental objective of any government to protect the life and properties of its citizens and hereby wish to unequivocally state that is against the rights of others in he society. We will therefore be making an official presentation to the curt and to defend the Nigerian Army without any financial cost to the military or the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
    The group further urged the Army to sustain the Python Dance as an annual exercise and even consider the prospect of holding it twice in that period.

  • IPOB: 19 persons held in Rivers

    …as 3 trucks burnt

    …Exercise received partial compliance

    The police in Rivers state on Friday said they have arrested 19 persons suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), in Oyigbo Local Government Area(LGA), of Rivers state.

    The arrest may not be unconnected with the attack and burning of trucks and other vehicles laden with goods at Komkom axis of Oyigbo while leaving the state for other parts of the country earlier hours of yesterday, Friday, September 14, 2018.

    The incident reportedly occurred about 2: am. The leadership of IPOB allegedly directed their members and supporters to observe a one day sit-at-home in remembarce of the alleged disappearance of their leader Nnamdi Kanu as well as to commemorate their day, instructing all shops,  businesses and markets either owned and operated by the south-Easterners across the country to be shutdown, even as vehicles owned by them be taken off all routes beginning from 12 midnight Friday.

    The attack on the vehicles apparently followed the directives.

    The spokesman of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Suprindentent of Police (DSP), in a telephone interview with the Nation Friday said the said group does not exist by law,  having been outlawed by the government, hence have no right to issue any order to Nigerian citizens.

    He said, “Three vehicles were destroyed and burnt down by the members of the outlawed IPOB at Oyigbo, following the said sit-at-home order.

    “We have arrested 19 of them and will definitely charge them to court the moment we are through with our investigations which they are really cooperating with us in.”

    Asked if the arrest was for the destruction done or the order given said,  “Because the group has been proscribed, it does not exist in the eyes of the law, therefore that their so called leaders gave them order to sit-at-home is in the first place illegal, and more worrisome is the fact that they came out to cause violent and destroy peoples’property is a bigger issue,  as far as Nigeria is concerned there is no association like IPOB.” he said.

    Read Also: Mixed feelings trail IPOB sit-at-home order

    Earlier the Executive chairman of Oyigbo LGA Gerald Oforji had confirmed the incident (attack),  and assures that men of the Nigeria Police Force were on the scene to restore normalcy and forestall further attacks.

    However sources around the area alleged that over 10 vehicles were burnt down and four drivers of the trucks involved are reportedly missing.

    Visiting parts of the state on Friday it was notices that the exercise witness partial compliance in parts of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    From Eleme junction area of the city through the mile one motor park where the Igbos operate most of the businesses, especially the oil mill computer village,  Artillary, Garrison  and even Parker flyover second hand clothes  market, where most of the traders comes from Aba,  in Abia state was open with majority of the traders at their umbrella shades attending to their customers.

    Also shops and business at artillary and garrison junctions also were beehive of activities, however some of the shops were noticed under lock and key.

    In the same vain at the popular Ikoku automobile spare parts markets operated by IPOB members equally witnessed partial compliance but the Iloabuchi electronic dealers axis of Diobu witnessed about 80 per cent compliance, this is also the same at Oginigba area of port Harcourt where there was total compliance.

    Also at Oyigbo mainly occupied by the south-Easterners, markets and businesses belonging to the Igbos were shut down.

    Also Some banks in Oyigbo and parts of Port Harcourt hurriedly shut down for fear of being attacked  by criminals.

    The sit at home order which supposed to be peaceful and optional but somehow turned violent in Oyigbo area.

  • Mixed feelings trail IPOB sit-at-home order

    …as Aba markets, banks witness large turn out

     

    Residents, visitors and shop owners in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State and Umuahia, the state capital have expressed mixed feelings over the planned sit-at-home directives by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is expected to be observed in parts of the Southeast Friday.

    Our reporter who visited some major markets in Aba, the Enyimba city and the State capital reports that economic and business activities were on the increase as many even until the time of filing this report were trying to make last minute shopping before the markets close for the day.

    Read Also:Sit-at-home: Ebonyi Police Commissioner, Ohaneze Youths warn IPOB

    Some branches of commercial banks in Aba witnessed high patronage as customers who said that they wouldn’t want to risk their lives and that of their staff came to carry out different transactions which they said would have taken place tomorrow.

    An official of one of the banks who spoke anonymously told our reporter at the time of the visit that they were yet to receive official memo from their headquarters in Lagos asking them not to come work Friday.

    According to the bank source, they would be open for business tomorrow in the morning where they would be running skeletal banking services to customers and if nothing happens thereafter, they would commence normal banking activities.

    Some of the respondents who spoke to our reporter in Umuahia and Aba expressed optimism that the presence of the police and other security agencies in the state who paraded the streets of Umuahia and Aba on Wednesday in a show of force would be capable of arrest any situation that could lead to unrest or breach of peace.

    According to the respondents including Mrs. Grace Okeke, a shopper at Cemetery market in Aba, said that they were in the market to shop ahead of the sit-at-home order.

    “Tomorrow is Friday and we can’t predict what will happen which could affect opening of market on Saturday. So, I am being pro-active so as not to be caught in the web of any eventuality.”

    An official of one of the markets in Aba disclosed that they would be opening the market for business tomorrow (Friday) despite the IPOB order, stressing that they would not force people to come to market.

    Meanwhile, the spokesman of the IPOB, Emma Powerful in a statement urged their members to remain at home in adherence to the directives, alleging that investigation gathered by the group has it that plots have been made by security agencies to kill people and hang it on IPOB.

  • Army, Police caution IPOB over sit-at-home order

    The Army, Police and other security Agencies in Imo state, Monday warned members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against disrupting public peace over the September 14 sit-at-home order.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General H.I Bature, and other Heads of Security Agencies, said they were ready to confront IPOB and other separatist groups.

    Read Also:Ohanaeze, Youth Group reacts to IPOB’s sit-at-home order

    Describing the secessionists as “miscreants”, the CP said that the proposed sit-at-home order was not in tandem with the laws of the land.

    He therefore advised the members of the public to ignore the call for the sit-at-home and go about their lawful businesses without fear of any attack.

    Galadanchi, informed that the security Agencies would from Tuesday begin what he called “operation show of force” across the state to sensitize the people on the need to ignore the IPOB order.

    He said, “The Heads of all the security in Imo state are working together. We are here to tell the world that we are saying no to the proposed sit-at-home order on September 14 by IPOP.

    “We want to tell members of the public that anyone who has any genuine business on that day should go about his or her business. We have resolved among ourselves to protect the citizens”.

    The CP continued that, “IPOB members should remember that where one person’s right ends, the other person’s own Begins. Imo state must be great in our time. The sit-at-home order by IPOB is at variance with the law.

    “Anybody who tries to threaten law abiding citizens in the name of sit-at-home will have the security Agencies to contend with”.

    The CP said that during the joint operation show of force, all the security Agencies would exchange ideas, share intelligence in order to prevent IPOB members from fermenting troubles.

    The brigade Commander said that the security Agencies “have the capacity and ability to contend with the IPOP members.”

    The army chief urged the pro-Biafra group to explore lawful channels in pressing home their demands instead of threatening public peace.

  • Anxiety as IPOB resumes call for election boycott

    …naked female members protest in Owerri

     

     

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Friday resumed the call for election boycott in the Southeast ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The proscribed group insisted on a referendum and sovereign state of Biafra as part of conditions to end the renewed agitation.

    It also demanded for the immediate disclosure of the whereabouts of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu and his unconditional release.

    Read Also:IPOB’s terrorists are regrouping ahead of 2019 elections – Group

    During a protest in Owerri, the Imo state capital, Friday, by hundreds of half-naked female IPOB members’ cladded in black attire, the group derided Nigeria as “a failed country that does not hold any prospect for the Igbo”.

    The early morning protest grounded vehicular and human movement along major streets in Owerri, while stern looking soldiers and mobile policemen were drafted to strategic locations to forestall breakdown of law and order.

    The separatist group vowed to disrupt the 2019 elections across the Southeast, warning that severe punishments will be meted out on those who will betray the renewed struggle for the actualization of the state of Biafra by conniving with “Nigerian agents to conduct election in Igbo land”.

    They accused the Southeast governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo, Igbo apex socio-cultural organization of complicity in the unprovoked killing of unarmed Biafra agitators by supporting military operations in the Southeast.

    Some of the various placards displayed by the protesting women, had inscriptions such as, ‘no more election in Igbo land, we want Biafra’, ‘Nigeria is a fraud, we need Biafra’, ‘no more elections, we need a referendum’, ‘release Nnamdi Kanu now or face the wrath of God’, ‘we are tired of Nigeria’, among others.

    It would be recalled that leader of the group, Kanu, had called for the boycott of the Anambra governorship election in 2017 in defiance to pleas from Ohaneze Ndigbo, religious groups and other influential bodies in the Southeast.

     

     

  • IPOB sit-at-home: Police, others hold joint show of force

    Heads of various security agencies in Aba and its environs has assured residents and visitors of the city of their safety. This is as the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned residents and shop owners to close down business ahead of the planned sit-at-home of the group in the southeast.

    The sit-at-home protest which has become annual is used by the IPOB to honour their dead and to further push the agitation for the actualization for the Sovereign State of Biafra. This is even as the pro-Biafra group has ordered the closure of markets, schools, private and public offices especially in the southeast in solidarity of the group’s call.

    Speaking at the end of a joint show of force operation by police, army and other security agencies including Civil Defence and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday after patrolling round major roads and streets in Aba, the State Police Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi represented by Aba Area Commander, Peter Okpara urged residents and visitors to go about their lawful activities.

    Okpara who hinted that efforts have been made by the police and other security agencies to ensure there would be peace in Aba on Democracy Day, also warned that the police and its sister agencies would deal decisively with anyone or group of persons who would want to disrupt the peace in Aba.

    Also read : Tackle insecurity, Odedeji urges FG

    According to him, there would be deployment of its personnel at various strategic positions and places in Aba including markets to ensure that people move about without molestation from any person or group of persons.

    “Tomorrow is democracy day and as you know, IPOB and others are threatening the peace of our community. They said that there won’t be movement from tomorrow’s midnight till 30th of May.

    “They have perfected their plans to harass people who will come out on 30th. DPOs, tactical commanders and others should monitor their areas. We will have a response team here (Aba Area Command); mobile men and conventional policemen who will respond to any threat to peace in Aba area. So, you people should be vigilant even in your own private capacity. If you see anything going wrong, call your DPO, call the control room, I am sure that by the grace of God, we are on top of the situation,” Okpara stated while addressing the joint personnel at the end of the show of force.

  • Police arrest four IPOB members in Anambra 

     

     

    The Anambra State police command has arrested four alleged members of the proscribed indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) for disobedience.

    In a statement Friday by the police through the state police public relations officer PPRO princess Nkeiruka Nwode and made available to reporters,  said the group remained a terrorist group.

    Items according recovered according to Nwode, included; Biafran flags, two metal gongs, four motorcycles, one Suzuki bus among other things.

    According to the statement, “Following the declaration of IPOB as a terror organization by the Federal Government on 20th September, 2017 and as part of the concerted efforts of the Anambra State Police Command to rid the State of Criminal elements”

    “The Command today arrested Four (4) members of the group, while other members of the proscribed group fled to unknown destination”

    “The arrested persons confessed to be members of the IPOB and will be charged to court for prosecution”

    “The Anambra State Police Command condemns in the strongest term the heinous and the cowardly activities by this group and still calls on the members of the public to avoid associating themselves with such group as anybody caught will face a maximum jail term in accordance to the Law”

    “Therefore the Command wishes to let the general public know that Ipob activities is a treason offence (i.e) Treasonable Felony and also assures the Law abiding citizens in the State of adequate Security”

    “The Command, finally wishes to advice the parents to warn their children and wards to be mindful of their activities and report to the Police of their suspected activities, promptly,” the police said.

    Read Also: Court refuses to reverse IPOB’s proscription

     

  • IPOB: FG commences separate trial of Kanu’s co-defendants

    The Federal Government Tuesday commenced the trial of four men earlier charged with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on offence of treasonable felony.

    The four, some of who are IPOB members – Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwidiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi – were yesterday arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a three-count amended charge.

    Upon request by parties, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako agreed to a separate trial of the four owing to the sudden disappearance of Kanu, who was earlier listed as first defendant in the old charge.

    At their arraignment yesterday, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charge, following which the prosecution lawyer, Shuiabu Labaran sought a brief adjournment to enable him open his case.

    Defence lawyers objected to a brief adjournment. The lawyers said they were served with the amended charge the previous day and required sufficient time to consult with their clients.

    They also sought the transfer of the clients from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison, Abuja.

    Ruling, Justice Nyako allowed the defence lawyers one hour to discuss with the clients in court. She said the trial will not be secret one as being misinterpreted, but that it was only the identity of witnesses that will be protected from the public.

    The judge adjourned to Thursday for the prosecution to open its case.

    The three counts, to which Chimezie, Onwidiwe, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi pleaded, read:

    “That you, Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwidiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Nnamdi Kanu (at large),  in 2014 and 2015, in Nigeria and London, conspired to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of the court, for states in the South-East and South-South zones, and other communities in Kogi and Benue states, to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constitute same into a Republic of Biafra, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C77 of 2004.

    “That you, Bright Chimezie and one Nnamdi Kanu, now at large, between March and April, 2015, imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of the court, a radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L, concealed in a container of used household items, which you declared as used household items, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C77 of 2004.

    “That you, Benjamin Madubugwu sometimes in October 2015, had in your possession, in your house at Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, one Emerald Magnum Pump Action gun and one Delta Magnum Pump Action gun as well as 41 catridges/ammunition without lawful authority or license, an offence contrary to Section 27c (b) (1) of firearms Act, Act.  F28 of the laws of Nigeria.

    Read Also: IPOB appeals proscription order

  • Voting ongoing in most polling stations in Anambra

    Voting ongoing in most polling stations in Anambra

    Voting have started according to schedule across most polling stations in the Anambra state, irrespective of threat by proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Turnout at the various polling units visited by The Nation, was impressive contrary to anticipated low turnout.

    At Ofianta polling unit 11 in Anambra East Local Government Area,  where the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Dr. Tony Nwoye, accreditation and voting commenced at about 9.27 am,  as against the 8 o’clock takeoff time fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Meanwhile voting was going on simultaneously at the eight polling units in the ward.

    But the APC candidate was yet to arrive at the polling unit as at 11.10 am.