The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Indigenous People of Biafra

  • Restructuring the way forward for Nigeria – Atiku

    The former Vice President and presidential aspirant under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that restructuring of the country is the only way forward which will guarantee equity.

    Abubakar said that the north which has been against restructuring has taken up the gullet to ensure that the country is restructured for the benefit of all and for the good of all.

    Speaking in Umuahia when he visited the PDP Abia state chapter, to seek their support during the upcoming national convention of the party, Abubakar said that restructuring was the way to go to keep the country intact and on the path of progress.

    Abubakar noted that the north has been doing all it can to ensure that restructuring takes place in the country which will go a long way to unify the diverse people  and also stop the continuos agitation going on across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

    He said, “The North has already announced that restructuring is acceptable to them.So it’s a question of what the northern leaders and southern leaders meeting together to agree on the issues”.

    The former Vice President said that the problem of agitations in the country like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) arose because of the lopsided nature of the federation which favors one section of the country against the others.

    Read Also: Secondus, Atiku deplore ‘police attack’

    Abubakar said that one of the ways to stop the several agitations goings on across the country is to ensure the equal distribution of both political and social appointment so that every section of the country will be satisfied.

    He explained that the agitations going on in the country such the IPOB and others like them arose because they are all children of disequilibrium in the political set of the country in recent time.

    Abubakar said, “When you restructure this country and you give more resources to empower the component units of this country you will not have the problem of IPOB and their likes”.

    “IPOB, Agenifere, Niger Delta groups and others like them are looking for self-determination and when you devolve more powers and resources the issue of self-determination will be a thing of the past”.

    On the issue of security, the former VP said, “Security is one of the fundamental challenges of the country, I have been an advocate of either local or community policing to deal with local issues”.

    “We have one single polices which is not good and also not working as I do not know of any country that practices a federation and have this kind of policing, a centralized, one single police, I don’t know”.

  • Restructuring will address IPOB agitation – Atiku

    Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has stated that true federalism and restructuring being clamored by different ethnic groups in the country would address secession threat by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

    Atiku stated this in a chat with journalists at the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Finbarrs road, Umuahia, the state capital at the end of a closed door meeting with national delegates of the PDP during his visit in the state.

    Atiku while debunking insinuations that the Northerners were averse to restructuring further stated that devolution of power and creation of state said that the all that was needed is for all the sections of the country to come to a roundtable to redefine how best to move the country forward.

    Atiku who was earlier received at the Exco chamber of the State by Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the watch of President Buhari of destroying the achievements of the 16 years of PDP leadership in the country within three years of being in power.

    Read Also: Secondus, Atiku deplore ‘police attack’

    Former vice president and presidential hopeful of the PDP informed his host that he was in the state to woo support of the national delegates ahead of the party’s national convention and presidential primary coming up later this year.

    He used the opportunity to commend the efforts of the Ikpeazu’s led administration in the state which he (Atiku) noted has brought transformation and development to the state. This is even as he described Aba, the commercial nerve of the state as a city with great economic potential which any serious government cannot overlook.

    “I believe that when you restructure this country and you give more resources and powers to component units of this country, you will not have the problem of IPOB. IPOB is looking for self-determination and when you devolve more powers and resources that will take care of the agitation.

    “Our great party is at the cross road as well as the country. We have never been so divided in all my life in this country the way that we are divided today between the North south and east and Christians and Muslims. It is a very serious issue.

    “We have the issue of insecurity. You are not secure in any part of the country. Of course, we have one of the greatest economic declines in the history of this country. There has never been a time when we recorded more than 11million people out of their jobs in this country; this is the first time that we are witnessing that. In every aspect of the country, we have gone back while other countries are forging ahead, we are declining. There is no unity, no security and the economy is bad as well.

    “Therefore, it has become imperative that we put our heads together and unite and make sure that we elect a leader that can reverse all these negative growth this party (APC) has brought to this country. It is on record that 16years of PDP administration in this country has improved the standard of living of this country.

    “During the PDP, Nigeria was declared debt free country but within three years, all the 16 years achievements of the PDP have been reversed completely by the APC led administration, so there is need for us to elect a leadership that can reverse all these negative growths that we have achieved in the last three years.

    “I have been an advocate of either local or community policing to deal with local issues. I do not know of a federation that has a Centralized Policing.”

    In his response, Dr. Ikpeazu described Atiku as a man that has great administrative and leadership experience who has been able to make his marks in both public and private sector and expressed hope that he (Atiku) uses his experience to bring transformation to all sectors of the country.

    According to Ikpeazu, it is important that Nigerians should take the right decisions in choosing who leads them if the country must move forward from its precarious state.

  • IPOB’s terrorists are regrouping ahead of 2019 elections – Group

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Independent Human Rights And Crime Monitoring Group, has disclosed that the proscribed terrorists of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are regrouping, ahead of the 2019 elections.

    It also hinted that in spite of the secession attempts and propaganda by IPOB, the people of the Southeast zone of Nigeria actually wanted a return of the military operation, codenamed Python Dance II, to the zone. 

    The NGO, through its Executive Director, Zineke Werigbelegha, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, revealed that the situation in the Southeast had grown into proportion that would require concerted efforts to neutralise the threats.

    It said: “The group commissioned an assessment of Operation Python Dance II, with a view to learning vital lessons that would help avoid identified shortcomings. The assessment was restricted to the Southeast geo-political zone of the country, where separatists of the defunct Biafra Republic are active.

    “The report confirmed that Operation Python Dance II was the most successful military operation in the Southeast till date.

    “The Nigerian Army conducted Operation Python Dance in September 2016 as a training drill for troops, at a time the entire Southeast was reeling from a wave of crimes like kidnap for ransom, banditry, extortion and illicit drugs related crimes that were proving to be beyond the civil police.

    “Separatist movements that were uncomfortable with what the operation could expose about their activities, mounted campaigns to discredit the exercise, with a strategy aimed at turning the populace against the army. It was later discovered that separatist groups like IPOB, Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) and their other variants were behind the mentioned crimes, with the proceeds used to finance their secessionist bid.

    Read Also: IPOB: Court grants Kanu’s co-defendants bail

    “The successful conduct of Operation Python Dance restored peace and sense of security to the states in the Southeast, with indigenes of the five states of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi being able to freely travel home without apprehension.

    “The Nigerian Army heeded the call by the populace with Operation Python Dance II, which came at a time when IPOB had become belligerent in its call for the break-up of Nigeria. However, Operation Python Dance II was able to dismantle the terror cells and infrastructure of IPOB and other groups that operated based on its ideology.

    “Residents of the Southeast are asking that Operation Python Dance be sustained and turned into an annual exercise that will provide avenue to root out the criminals.”

    The group also revealed that as a retaliation for proscribing IPOB, members of the terrorist group were shopping for justification to disrupt elections in the Southeast next year, which it said must not be allowed, in order not to threaten the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.

    It called on the Nigerian army and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to dismantle the propaganda arm of IPOB, led by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful.

  • Black Wednesday in Aba as residents accuse army of killings

    “We didn’t kill him”, says Army

    It was indeed a black Wednesday for residents of Chigbu Street off Uratta junction by Port Harcourt road in Aba South local government area of Abia State as a boy in his late twenties simply identified as Nnamdi was allegedly killed by yet-to-be identified soldiers.

    Nnamdi, an indigene of Mbano in Imo State according to some of the residents was said to have been killed by a stray bullet from the soldiers said to be on patrol in the area during the Wednesday sit-at-home protest by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in remembrance of their fallen heroes.

    The soldiers, it was learnt were chasing after some hoodlums believed to have wanted to take advantage of the sit-at-home to cause unrest in the commercial city as they were said to be harassing innocent passersby and motorists.

    The residents claimed that the soldiers after killing Nnmadi who they said to be in his late twenties dragged his body away and deposited it at a yet-to-be identified location.

    A resident of Chigbu Street who claimed to have witnessed the incident in a Press conference said “early this morning, some boys were like stopping vehicles asking them to go back. To me, they are more of touts and rough guys.

    Read Also: Court sentences ex-Taraba governor to 28 years imprisonment

    “Suddenly we started hearing gunshots and men on army uniform with their hilux van parked around Onyike were the ones shooting and coming down to Uratta Junction.

    “On getting here, we all were watching from our house when their bullet hit a boy called Nnamdi from Chigbu Street. When they saw he was down, they started shouting at everyone to run and sit at home.

    “Before you know it, they dragged the dead guy towards their van. We got the pictures, but we took it from afar. They later came back to harass people in the street which made most of the boys to run away.”

    Our reporter couldn’t reach the army spokesman in the state for comments, but senior army personnel in the command who spoke anonymously with our reporter denied the involvement of the military in the death of Nnamdi.

    According to the source, “Our troops at Asa General Area got information that there is a shootout along Port Harcourt road of Aba South LGA. When the troops moved to ascertain the situation, on reaching there, a group of boys suspected to be hoodlums on seeing the soldiers took off and abandoned the body of the deceased.

    “The body of the deceased was recovered and handed over to the police for identification.”

  • Democracy day: South East being marginalized in Nigeria – Umahi

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday said the Southeast is being marginalised in the country.

    He however, emphasized the need for the zone to constructively engage the federal government on the issue.

    Umahi stated this at the Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki during his democracy day speech.

    He said though the zone is not happy with the way it was being marginalised, the Governors of the five states in the region believe constructive engagement as being championed by the Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo was the way to go.

    He condemned the method being deployed by pro Biafran groups in the county which he said is inimical to peace and development of the region.

    He further condemned the seat-at-home exercise called by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, for tomorrow in the zone.

    Read Also: I won’t castigate Buhari, says Umahi

    He warned that any trader in the state who fails to open his shop tomorrow in solidarity with the IPOB and MASSOB will be made to forfeit the shopsto government.

    “And so, any trader that closes shop will forfeit the shop forever. Anybody that flouts this order will be decidedly dealt with. I ask Ebonyians to go about their businesses freely and peacefully.

    “Let me say that when we the South East Governors say that we don’t want the activities of IPOB does not mean that we are very happy with the marginalization of the South East in the affairs of our nation.

    “But we are saying that the way IPOB is going to address the matter is not the right way. The right way is what the Ohanaeze Ndigbo did; which they did in the committee of Igbo people and that is what we believe.

    “We call on the federal government to look into the plights of the South East people and address the issue of marginalization. We believe in one Nigeria that is found in equity and fairness and fair play”.

  • Ebonyi warns IPOB, MASSOB over seat-at-home order

    Ebonyi state government Monday warned the Separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra, MASOB to steer away from the state or face the consequences.

    It also urged residents of the state to ignore the seat-at-home order issued by the pro biafran agitators for the 30th of May and go about their lawful businesses on the said date.

    IPOB and a faction of MASSOB had issued an order urging Igbos to seat-at-home on Wednesday, 30th of May, 2018, to commemorate the declaration of Independence of Biafra by late Biafra war lord, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.

    IPOB was last year declared a terrorist group by the federal government while its activities were proscribed in the South East by Governors of the Region under the leadership of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.

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

    During a press briefing on Monday, Senior Special Assistant to the governor David Umahi on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, said the state has adopted all necessary security measures and nothing of such would take place in the state.

    “You recall that in 2017, there was this idea of sit-at-home by those who call themselves Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and that brought some chaos in some big cities like Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo, but in Ebonyi here we have always been lucky. God has always being with us and with the proactive measures we adopted, we were able to handle the situation.

    “You could equally recall that the activities of IPOB have been proscribed by the southeast governor’s forum which our Governor, Engr. David Nweze UMAHI is the chairman.

    “Now, we have started gathering security information and reports that people are going to sit-at-home on 30th of May. But the governor has directed us to inform the public that there is nothing like sit-at-home on 30th May. We don’t allow it in Ebonyi state. It can never be observed here. We don’t recognise it and it has nothing to do with Ebonyi stats.

    “The activities of IPOB has been proscribed. As government, one of the responsibilities we owe the people is to ensure the protection of lives and property.

    “So, everybody is expected to go about their lawful businesses. The security agencies are already on alert and proper security measures have been put in place to ensure that every law abiding citizen of the state go about their normal business without interruption,” he said.

    Ugbala said Ebonyi state government would not tolerate any plot to sabotage its efforts in developing the state’s economy.

     

  • IPOB: Call your wards to order, ACF tells Igbo leaders, Governors

    Following threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to declare 30th of May as a sit-at-home day, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the governors and elders from the South-East to call their wards to order.

    ACF while reacting to the statement by IPOB, ordering people to sit at home, described it as destructive to national cohesion. It cautioned group to desist from making moves capable of causing chaos in the country.

    The forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu in a statement recalled that the sit-at-home order of last year by the IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of the country, but was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on non-indigenes.

    The statement reads in part that: “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to a press statement by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which was proscribed by the Federal Government last year, again declaring May 30th this year as a sit-at-home day in honour of not only for a Biafra state but also for those alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria.

    “The statement was issued by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB in the person of one Emma Powerful and widely published in the news media. ACF considers such press statement as destructive of our national cohesion. It is also a negation of our national unity comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three (3) years of civil war, 48 years ago with “no Victor no Vanquish”, and have been working hard through the 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divide us.

    Read Also: IPOB threat to Ohaneze: JTF begins show of force in Anambra

     

    “Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria despite our moments of national instability and challenges, have continued to be reaffirmed by individuals and groups at different fora. We have also demonstrated it in words and deeds in our political sojourn. We cannot therefore jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.

    “The Nigerian components, like all developing nations, have challenges which can be overcome through collective hard work and due democratic process. Intimidation and threats are not viable means that give voice to people’s aspiration as it is unnecessary and unhelpful.

    “It would be recalled that the sit-at-home order of last year by IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of Nigeria, it was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on “non-indigenes”. We therefore cannot afford a repeat of such incidence.

    “Given the benefit of hindsight, ACF therefore calls on the South East Governors to prevail on their citizens to ignore such acts that seek to affect our sense of oneness and could also affect the economy and political stability of not only the South East but of Nigeria as a whole.

    “ACF further urges members of IPOB to listen to the wise counsel of their elders, States Chief Executives and elected political representatives at both the National and State Assemblies and opt for due democratic process. Our present democratic structure provides sufficient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns. Nigerians should therefore avail themselves to this opportunity rather than pander seek to heat up the polity.

    “ACF also calls on the Security Agencies to put in adequate measures that will ensure the safety of all citizens in every part of country.

    “ACF wishes Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day and as we approach the 2019 election year, we equally appeal to our political leaders to play the game by strictly obeying its rules to ensure a fair, peaceful and credible elections.” ACF said.

  • Biafra group knocks IPOB over threat to disrupt restructuring summit

    A pan Biafran group, the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN) has given knocks on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for its uncompromising stand on issues regarding the actualization of Biafra.

    The group expressed shock at the continual, incessant threats against reason and commonsense by the Nnamdi Kanu-led faction of Indigenous People of Biafra.

    In a statement by its director general, Nwada Eberechukwu Anigbogu, MOBIN wondered what actually is the intention of IPOB for threatening to disrupt the restructuring summit being organized by Ohanaeze Ndigbo at Awka.

    It states: “We are appalled that the organization, in its unbridled desire for popularity will always choose to attack every action taken to address our agitations, whether right or wrong. The latest is the repeated insults on the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, and this time in the form of threats against the proposed restructuring summit.

    The Press Release signed by Mr Emma Powerful, threatening fire and brimstone against Ohaneze Ndigbo is very distasteful.

    You cannot condemn every move made by our elders and insist it’s your opinion or nothing.

    Read Also: Biafra Day: IPOB issues sit-at-home order in South East

    The Summit for Restructuring is a move in the right direction and should be supported by all freedom fighters and comrades of the Biafran cause.

    We call on all Biafrans to be aware that Mr Emma Powerful has no better alternative to the Summit, given the current circumstances we find ourselves in.

    They should also be aware that the Summit is lawful, and any attempt to disrupt it is illegal and would be stopped by security agencies.

    Emma Powerful, Uche Mefor and all others urging you to come out and confront legal security agents will not join you during the confrontation as they would be safe in their homes, far away from Nigeria while you either get arrested, get injured or get killed.

    These manipulative directives of the IPOB leadership have brought nothing but violence and death across the South East. They have always urged our sons and daughters to stand against armed security forces. Without arms they have done this and each time, we lose our children. Yet not one of those asking for this violence ever comes out to lead the confrontation.

    Is it not time we resort to alternate, more friendly methods of agitations other than the ones that bring death, sorrow and tears? How long shall we keep burying our children when we have more pragmatic alternatives?

    We are asking you to stand down and resort to our political and diplomatic methods toward Biafra by being part of the unfolding political process.
    Do not endanger your lives for people who will not raise a finger to assist you when you run into trouble. They never have and never would.

    Instead of willfully inviting violence against our people, why don’t we sit and hear the alternatives Ohaneze shall bring to the table?

    The vision of MOBIN is the political and economic emancipation of Biafraland based on the philosophy that politics determines the economy of the nation.

    We are Biafrans by indigene and Nigerians by citizenship. As such, we have a right to participate in all social, political and economic activities of Nigeria.

    We therefore urge you to join the political, economic and diplomatic path to Biafra which is not only legal, but also the most credible alternative.”

  • IPOB challenges Court’s jurisdiction in trial of members

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High court, Abuja to continue the trial of four of her members over treasonable felony, saying her counsels have filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection in this regard.

    A statement by comrade Emma Powerful, Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB said the pro Biafra group instructed her lawyers to challenge the court’s jurisdiction and prayed it to strike out the charge of ‘Treasonable Felony’ against the defendants on the grounds of what a prosecution witness said that “agitating for self-determination or secession is not a crime known to any Nigerian Law.”

    Powerful said the Witness, simply identified as AB to hide his true identity, as directed by the presiding judge, is a DSS officer that claimed that he “investigated” Bright Chimezie, one of the defendants, after he was arrested by the DSS at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    He said led in evidence by prosecution counsel, the witness also testified that Mr. Chimezie was an IPOB ‘Welfare Officer in charge of giving money donated by IPOB members to assist widows of IPOB members killed by security agents during their demonstrations on self-determination’, adding that “IPOB was not an illegal group and belonging to it was not illegal when Chimezie was arrested”.

    The IPOB publicity secretary said it was as a result of the testimony of the prosecution witness that the group’s lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the court and the striking out of the case since what the defendants were arrested for and are being tried is not a crime known to any Nigerian Law.

    “If according to the government witness, IPOB was not an illegal group when Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in October 2015, why then is the trial going ahead?  Or is it because of the irrational fear of the success that Biafra will become or the morbid Hausa/Fulani hatred for IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu. Justice Binta Nyako must as a matter of public decency dismiss the frivolous charges, acquit the defendants and apologise to IPOB on behalf of the Nigerian judiciary.

    We the worldwide family of the Indigenous People of Biafra wishes to draw the attention of the civilized world to what transpired at Justice Binta Nyako’s court in Abuja on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the commencement of the trial of four innocent Biafrans. The world must know that they are standing trial for offences not known to any law in Nigeria.

    The four IPOB family members standing trial have been in illegal detention for nearly three years, with proper trial only commencing now on March 22, 2018. Thankfully and for the first time in public, the key witness for the Federal Government of Nigeria admitted in court that being a member of IPOB was not a crime when the defendants were arrested”, the statement said.

    It will be recalled that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB who has been missing since the Nigeria army attacked his home, was also arrested for the same offence as the others who are being presently tried.

  • FG Accuses IPOB of Using Fake Videos To Hoodwink International Community

    FG Accuses IPOB of Using Fake Videos To Hoodwink International Community

     

    The Federal Government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) of using fake videos of mass killings, harvested from other parts of Africa and doctored to look current, to mislead the international community and win their support.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this when he addressed Online Publishers in Lagos on Monday.

    ”We must warn the nation against IPOB’s next line of action, which is to externalize their lies and propaganda. Now they are writing to the governments and the national parliaments of some Western nations to give the impression that they are victims of an ethno-sectarian violence orchestrated by the government, hence they need protection.

    ”Some of the tools that have been employed by IPOB include blatant lies and cheap propaganda, and the medium of choice for the organization is the Social Media. IPOB has harvested gory videos and pictures from other lands and the distant past, which they are now circulating via the Social Media, to deceive the international community into believing that the people of the South-east are being subjected to state-sponsored, ethno-religious violence.

    ”Such videos, which have very high emotive quotient, are circulating on the Social Media as we speak. These videos are doctored to make them look current. They are fake!” he said.

    Read Also:  IPOB  warn against Benue recurrence in Abia

    Alhaji Mohammed said some ill-informed foreign individuals are already trumpeting IPOB’s lies and propaganda and even alleging genocide, adding: ”It is either they do not understand the meaning of genocide or are being mischievous. Either way, there is nothing like genocide anywhere in our country today. What we have in the South-east is a clampdown on a band of lawless people who have no regard for the laws of the land.”

    He appealed to the Online Publishers to help counter the fake narrative on the Social Media on the situation in the South-east

    ”In the interest of the nation and your own interest, you must counter this fake narrative, report the issues responsibly and without sensationalism and present the truth to the public. If the Social Media, your platform, is discredited because of the activities of quacks and Internet Trollers, you too will be discredited and your publications will simply go down.

    ”That is why you must distinguish yourselves, as trained and tested

    professionals, from the charlatans who have seized the Social Media by the jugular, those who have no regard for the truth and who do not care whether their fake posts set the nation ablaze,” the Minister said.

    He reiterated his earlier statement that IPOB is being sponsored by a coalition of politically-disgruntled and treasury looters, and that the organization is a contraption against the Buhari Administration.