The Nation Newspaper

Tag: (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

  • IPOB using fake videos to hoodwink international community – FG

    IPOB using fake videos to hoodwink international community – FG

    The Federal Government on Monday in Lagos accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of using fake videos of mass killings, to mislead the international community and win their support.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who stated this when he addressed Online Publishers, said that the fake videos were harvested from other parts of Africa and doctored to look current

    ”We must warn the nation against IPOB’s next line of action, which is to externalise 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 organisation 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.

    “IPOB is deceiving them into believing that the people of the South-East are being subjected to state-sponsored, ethno-religious violence,” he said.

    The Minister said that the videos, which had very high emotive quotient, are circulating on the Social Media.

    He said some ill-informed foreign individuals were already trumpeting IPOB’s lies and propaganda and even alleging genocide.

    ”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 said.

    Mohammed 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.

    “You must distinguish yourself from those who have no regard for the truth and who do not care whether their fake posts set the nation ablaze,” he said.

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

  • Why we proscribed IPOB – Umahi

    Why we proscribed IPOB – Umahi

    Chairman of the South East Governors forum and Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Dave Umahi Saturday said the governors of the zone had to proscribe activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop tension that was rising in the zone.

    Umahi who briefed journalists in his office in Abakaliki said the Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu was gradually losing control of the situation and the group prompting the governor’s to wade in to prevent further bloodshed.

    He said the proscription has achieved desired result.

    He said IPOB has lost its original ideal by causing unnecessary tension and killings in the south east which he said has affected investment drive in the region.

    The governor also stated that based on evidence before him, the Military did not attack IPOB on Sunday as claimed by Mr Kanu adding that it was the IPOB members who threw bottles and stones on Military officers who were passing.

    “When you put a small fire, it can go very far and become difficult to controll”.

    “The IPOB activities were gradually getting out of control of Nnamdi Kanu. Soldiers were passing on the way when IPOB members started throwing stones and other objects on them and it sparked off the clash between the group and the military.

    “It is a shame that when this thing happened, a man called Charles Ogbu had to send phone numbers of all South east governors, Senate President and others and all our people could do was calling us to insult us, talked to them anyhow. These are people that never experienced any war in their lives.

    He said the lives of Northerners and all non-indigenes in the state and zone must be guaranteed at all times warning that security agencies have been directed to deal decisively with anyone that tries to cause a breach of the peace.

    “Our focus is how to save lives of every Nigeria and we believe in a united Nigeria. Lives of people are involved and we must not play politics with that,” he said.

    “Anybody that wants to foment troubles must be crushed and I want security agencies to beef up security around all the non-indigenes in the state and to report to me of any problem because we must maintain the peace.

    The Governor called on youths to stop insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the country as according to him was very bad.

    He also noted that the Northern Governors will soon visit the South East, a visit which will also be replicated by the South East Governors to the North as a means of fostering unity in the country.

    He maintained that majority of Igbos do not want secession from Nigerian but to be treated fairly and justly in the county.

    “That is why we are all talking about restructuring, there is no part of this country that is not feeling marginalised somehow and that is why all the zones are setting up committees on restructuring”.

    Umahi however noted that injustice or marginalisation should not be a reason to talk about secession maintaining that dialogue should be the best way to resolve and redress all differences.

    On operation Egwu Eke II (Python dance II), the governor said the exercise was never targeted at IPOB but intended to curb rising incidents of crime especially kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

    He noted that no one including the Military expected that there will be violence as the Egwu Eke II that was staged last year was largely successful.

    Heads of security agencies in the state and some Principal Officers of the state government attended the briefing.

  • I don’t want to see another war, says Obasanjo

    I don’t want to see another war, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned against the present tension in the country degenerating into a war situation.

    Obasanjo spoke while responding to the wave of violent agitation in the Eastern part of the country for Biafra republic led by Nnamdi Kanu, Obasanjo in an interview with Newsweek Magazine in London.

    “Those who fought in the war in Biafra will not want to fight any other war,” he said adding that “I have fought one war too many in Nigeria; I don’t want to see another.”

    While noting that the army’s “heavy boot” response to pro-Biafra sentiment is “not the solution,” he also said that the secession craved by IPOB is not the way forward either.

    To resolve the crisis, Obasanjo said there was nothing wrong with President Muhammadu Buhari meeting with Kanu.

    “I don’t see anything wrong in that [Buhari meeting with Kanu]. I would not object to that; if anything, I would encourage it,” Obasanjo told Newsweek.

    “I would want to meet Kanu myself and talk to people like him, people of his age, [and ask:] ‘What are your worries?’ Not only from the southeast but from all parts of Nigeria.

    “We need to satisfy the youth in job creation, in wealth creation, in giving them a better, fulfilled life, in giving them hope for the future,” Obasanjo said adding that  “There’s no easy way out.”

  • Ohanaeze opposes re-arrest of Kanu, accuses AGF of bias

    Ohanaeze opposes re-arrest of Kanu, accuses AGF of bias

    The president of Igbo socio-political organization, the Ohanaeze,  Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has  rejected fresh moves by the Federal Government to re-arrest the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
    He said  Kanu was free  as a citizen to hold any point of view, no matter how displeasing to anyone,  provided it was not inciting or provoking any criminal activities.
    He accused the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), of bias by allegedly looking the other way when the Arewa Youths gave October 1 quit notice to Igbos in the North.
    Nwodo, who stated these in a statement in Abuja on Saturday,  warned the AGF against exacerbating the tension in the country.
    He said: “It has just been brought to my notice that the Attorney-General of the Federation has approached the courts to incarcerate Nnamdi Kanu for flouting his bail conditions.
    “I am amazed that the distinguished attorney is prepared to contest the superiority of the provisions of the constitution on freedom of movement and freedom of association over an erroneous judicial proclamation violating those rights.
    “ I am equally miffed by the audacity with which the Attorney-General displays his bias without regard to his oath of office.
    “A few hours ago under the watchful eyes of the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and in total defiance of the Head of State’s proclamation of the rights of a citizen of Nigeria to live anywhere in Nigeria and to do business anywhere in Nigeria, the Arewa Youths, pretending to withdraw their quit notice gave qualifications to the Head of State’s proclamation, issuing conditions for enjoyment of citizenship status.”
    He accused the AGF of allegedly  looking the other way when Arewa Youths issued quit notice to Igbo in the North.
    The Ohanaeze chief added: “These same Arewa Youths are supposed to have been arrested on the orders of the Governor of Kaduna State and the Inspector General of Police for acts of treason, conversion and sedition.
    “As the Chief Law officer of the Federation the Attorney-General looks the other way.  He does not go to court to seek an order of arrest or prosecution.”
    “Nnamdi, as a citizen of Nigeria, is free to hold any point of view no matter how displeasing to anyone so long as it is  not inciting or provoking any criminal activities.”
    Nwodo said although he and some Igbo leaders had disagreed with Kanu and Radio Biafra on a number of issues, they have upheld their right to differ in the spirit of democracy.
    He warned the AGF against aggravating the tension in the country by re-arresting the IPOB leader.
    He said:  “I and some Igbo leaders have differences of opinion with Nnamdi on a number of issues.  We have been insulted and abused by Radio Biafra but we concede them their right to differ from us.  We concede them their nature to be exuberant as youths but we cannot be judgmental about their rights.
    “This is a democracy.  In democracies leaders are abused, pelted with rotten eggs and booed at, as the former Edo State Governor was booed in Abuja a few days ago.  These acts are not necessarily criminal.
    “I urge the Attorney-General not to exacerbate our already tense nation by commencing a legal action which portrays him as biased, insensitive and misdirected.”
  • Police confirm arrest of IPOB, MASSOB members in Ebonyi

    Police confirm arrest of IPOB, MASSOB members in Ebonyi

    The Police in Ebonyi on Saturday confirmed the arrest of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in various part of the state for alleged unlawful sensitisation programme.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Jude Madu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the arrested suspects also included members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    Madu said that the suspects were arrested for unlawfully sensitising the public to stay at home on May 30, in observance of the group anniversary.

    “They would be charged to court and the command would ensure that they are duly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “IPOB and MASSOB are illegal groups and did not get permission from the police to embark on such exercise which threatens the peace and security of the state.

    “The command with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Titus Lamorde, has commenced intensive sensitisation of the populace to disregard the sit-at-home directive and go about their lawful businesses,” he said.

    Madu warned members of the group not to carry out outlawed activities within the state before, during and after May 30, as the full weight of the law would be brought on any defaulter.

    “Any person or group found culpable would be arrested and duly prosecuted as the groups’ activities amount to mutiny or fighting a sitting and legally recognised government.

    “IPOB and MASSOB are techniques developed by some individuals to gain public interest and recognition as the former is even a breakaway organ of the latter.

    “These groups have not provided amenities or other forms of social security for the people they are directing to stay at home; it shows that their intentions are not sincere and must be rejected by all,” he said.

    He advised the groups that not everybody was interested in issues concerning secession as people still remember the horrors of the civil war and other upheavals in the country after then.

    According to him, they should realise that most people are not interested in their preaching, therefore, they should not force anybody to be involved in their illegal and unlawful practices.

    Madu called on traditional rulers and town unions across the state to assist the police in sensitising the people and provide relevant information about the group’s activities.

    “The command has distributed various call contacts (numbers) to the public to report activities of these groups within this period, especially molestation, if they refuse heeding to the stay-at home order.

    “Any gathering of two or more people propagating the IPOB/MASSOB messages or executing related activities should be promptly reported to the police for immediate actions,” he said.

    A NAN Correspondent who visited the state police command reports that the arrested IPOB members were upbeat and chanting solidarity songs.

  • Nnamdi Kanu meets MASSOB leaders

    Nnamdi Kanu meets MASSOB leaders

    The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has met with the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu and commended his group for its tenacity and uprightness in the struggle for Biafra.

    Speaking at his Afara Ukwa Umuahia North country home, Umuahia, when MASSOB leadership under Madu visited to rejoice with him over his freedom secured in the court, Kanu said that the struggle requires sincerity, consistency and selflessness.

    Kanu commended MASSOB for working in tandem with the principles and course which IOPB is pursing, namely fighting for the good of the people of Biafra without being violent thereby saving lives of Biafrans.

    He said that he was not in the struggle to be seen as the number one but believed in the collective effort and struggle for the emancipation of the people of Biafra, adding that he supports all platforms that genuinely pursue the course of Biafra.

    The IPOB leader recalled that all of them were in MASSOB for the struggle until their former leader derailed and commended Uchenna Madu for re-channeling MASSOB to the original course it was founded for and pledged the continued cooperation and collaboration of the two groups for the good of Biafra.

    Kanu said, “You can recall that we were all in MASSOB together with the aim of emancipation our people until the former leader Ralph Uwazurike derailed and thanked Madu for redirecting the group to its original course”.

    The IPOB leader thanked God that he was lucky not to have stayed as many years in Kuje Prison as Uchenna Madu who spent over five years in various Prisons in the course of the struggle.

    In his remarks, the MASSOB leader, Madu thanked God for granting Kanu freedom and commended him for his “consistency and selflessness in the struggle for the realization of Biafra the country of their dream.

    Madu also lauded him, on the way he pilots the affairs of IPOB and assured him that the synergy between IPOB and MASSOB would continue in the struggle for the emancipation of people of Biafra.

    The MASOB leader however, advised him to remain focused as the leader and not to make the mistake made by Uwazuruike, saying that “God raised him to lead the struggle after Uwazurike derailed”.

    Madu said, “MASSOB will continue to support you with prayers. MASSOB will continue to identify with IPOB for the good of the struggle”, Madu said.

    Madu was accompanied to the visit by some members of executive committee.