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Tag: IPOB

  • We’ve checkmated IPOB, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, says Army

    We’ve checkmated IPOB, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, says Army

    The Nigerian Army yesterday said it has successfully curtailed the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in the South East while clashes between farmers and herdsmen within the region had been prevented by troops in the past two weeks.

    Providing an update on Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) the army further said the activities of kidnappers and other criminals had been checkmated in the region while scores of people had been arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

    The army was however silent on the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB who was alleged to be on the run after a siege laid on his compound in Aba, Abia State.

    A statement signed by Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, however reassured the public that the army was poised to maintain peace and orderliness in the entire South East.

    The statement reads: “Following the commencement of Exercise EGWU EKE II on Friday 15th September 2017 in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, simultaneous activities have started in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River states without hitch.

    “The essence of the exercise is to enhance troops’ preparedness and proficiency in dealing with emerging security challenges peculiar to the South-Eastern Region, such as kidnappings, armed robbery, communal crisis, farmers-herdsmen clashes, cultism, violent agitations and insurgency, amongst others.

    “One interesting aspect of the exercise is that it is multi-agency in nature and execution, thus enhancing synergy of efforts among the services, security and response agencies. Relevant para-military organisations such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Immigration Service are all synergising and collaborating in the exercise to ensure attainment of these objectives.

    “Similarly, there are elaborate humanitarian activities associated with it, hence, the 82 Division Nigerian Army embarked on free medical services.”

    He said that despite the initial opposition to Exercise EGWU EKE II by the outlawed IPOB members and their sympathisers, the general area of the South East, especially Aba in Abia State is now fully stabilised.

    He said: “The usual violent activities of the outlawed IPOB members and their symphatisers and unpatriotic elements, the general area of the South East, especially Aba in Abia State, is now fully stabilised.

    “The usual violent activities of the outlawed Biafra National Guards (manning check points and extorting money from traders and motorists) have now been checkmated.

    “Similarly the outlawed Biafra terrorists’ group presence is no longer visible and people go about their normal businesses without fear, let or hindrance.”

  • IPOB: How reprisal attacks were averted in Kaduna, Kano

    IPOB: How reprisal attacks were averted in Kaduna, Kano

    TENSION was high across the north last week after a face-off between soldiers and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) peaked with alleged killing of some Nigerians of northern extraction. In the past, the circulation of videos of the alleged selected killing of northerners in some South East and South South states would have led to vengeful bloodshed in some northern states, particularly Kaduna and Kano, but the reverse was the case last week. However, the unusual self-restraint exercised by norherners during the period did not happen by magic, some key stakeholders worked round the clock to ensure that the resultant tension did not boil over. On Wednesday last week, a fake story had gone viral on the social media claiming that an Igbo market had been attacked in Kaduna. As would be expected, relations of Kaduna residents outside the state began to make frantic phone calls to their loved ones to ascertain the true state of affairs. While there is no such market in Kaduna, the authorities left nothing to chance. The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, swung into action by calling a meeting with the Igbo and Yoruba communities in Kaduna, asking them to go about their normal businesses as there was no such incident in the state. “There is no crisis in Kaduna. The state is peaceful. I advise everybody to open their shops as usual and do their business. Don’t be apprehensive. The rumour is baseless and unfounded. Our men are at alert all the time to ensure peaceful atmospheres in the state,” he told the gathering. Igbo and Yoruba community leaders, Chris Nnoli and Yinka Olapade, who were at the meeting, thanked the police boss for assuring their kinsmen in Kaduna of their safety. The two community leaders blamed the social media for the unwarranted rumour and assured the police that they would take the message back to their people that Kaduna was peaceful. Nnoli said: “I want to say without bias that Igbo are peace loving people, and they like to bring development to anywhere they find themselves, even better than where they come from. It is unfortunate that this rumour emanated from the social media. But we want to tell our people that they should disregard such rumour, because Kaduna is peaceful and we are all law abiding citizens.” The state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, also assured all residents of the state of their safety, saying that the traditional institutions had been alerted and they were engaging the people in their domains to keep the peace. “Every resident must live up to their civic responsibilities and must shun and report anyone seeking or urging reprisals against innocent citizens,” El-Rufai said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan. He also assured that the state government and the security agencies had taken appropriate actions to protect life and property in the state. Aside the government and the police, community and religious leaders also played vital roles as the apex Islamic body in the north, Jama’atu Nasirl Islam (JNI), rose to the occasion by calling for calm in the face of the escalating tension. The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, quickly called on all imams across the region to preach peace during the Friday prayers and beyond in order to douse the tension in the country. The Sultan, who was represented by the secretary General of the JNI, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said what the country needed was for its citizens to unite and join hands with government to address the economic challenges facing the country. According to him, while every Nigerian has the right to protest, it must be done within the ambit of the law. Speaking on the rising incidents of hate speeches in the country, the Sultan urged the federal government to hasten the passage of the anti-hate speech law in order to bring perpetrators to book. On his part, the Chairman Council of Yoruba traditional Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Alhaji Muhammad Arigbabuwo, cautioned the Yoruba in the north and the remaining parts of Nigeria to desist from speeches that were capable of inflaming passion. Arigbabuwo said: “When, the rumour of reprisal attacks in the north started spreading, we quickly mobilised and cautioned our subjects across the north to be law abiding and respect the rule of law. We know that our people don’t look for trouble, but we had to still pass a message of peace to them in the face of that tension. We thank God that there was no single reprisal attack from the north. “I urge all community leaders, traditional institutions and religious leaders to let us maintain the tempo of being proactive instead of reactive in situations of tension like that of last week. If we can always do this, we can always avert crisis in our region and country.” Similarly, the President of Arewa Youths Forum (AYF), Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said that he and members of the national executive of the forum had a sleepless night on Thursday last week engaging other youth associations across the north to ensure that there was no reprisal attack anywhere in the region. According to Gujungu, “that Thursday, when tension was very high, we used our structures across the north, knowing full well that IPOB’s intention was to push us to the wall. They wanted us to start reprisal here in the north so that their agenda would go on as planned. “Secondly we had an emergency meeting with JNI to talk during Friday prayers. And finally, we used the social media in Hausa and English to sensitise our people on the danger of reprisals. In fact, that Thursday, my executive members and I had a sleepless night trying to ensure peace in our region and the country at large.” The Vice President Igbo Delegate Assembly in the North, Chris Nnoli said they sensitised their people to avoid any kind of altercation capable of leading to reprisal attacks. Nnoli, who doubles as the President of Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA) in Kaduna, commended Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the state’s Commissioner of Police for their proactive measures to forestall crisis. Nnoli, a lawyer, said in the face of tension last week, the Commissioner of Police met with the community on the need to sensitise their people. “So, we took the message to our people to eschew any form of altercation and unnecessary posting on the social media that are capable of increasing the tension that was already high.” “We condemn the violent agitation by the IPOB group. We are not in support of violent agitation and we are asking them to toe the path of dialogue”, he said. How Ganduje, Emir ensured peace in Kano The ancient city of Kano has over the years enjoyed a reputation as the hotbed of ethnoreligious violence, reprisal attacks and youth restiveness. It was, however, a pleasant surprise to many when residents of the state resisted reprisal attacks over the recent crisis in Abia and Rivers states where a Mosque was touched and some Hausa people were reportedly attacked or harassed, following bloody clashes between members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and soldiers. But the calm response that greeted the development in Kano did not come on a platter. It took the effort of the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who rallied all the stakeholders in the state, including community leaders, religious leaders, members of the civil society and security agencies, to ensure that the people were well orientated to resist the temptation of plunging the state into violence. Ganduje spread the message of peace and patriotism across the 44 local government areas of the state, making the people to understand that sacrifice and patience are the hallmark of peace. The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi 11, was also actively involved in sustaining peace in the ancient commercial city. He held several meetings with district heads, Imams, representatives of non-indigenes, Islamic scholars and other traditional title holders, telling them that no amount sacrifice was too much for peace. Also, the President-General of Igbo Community Association (ICA) in Kano, Chief Ebenezer Chima, assured the Igbo in the state of their safety, urging them not to entertain any fear from any quarters over the happenings in Abia and Rivers states. Chief Chima, in a joint press conference with the President of Ethnic Community Leaders Association (ECLAK), Dr. Jimpat Ayelangbe, said both the Kano State Governor and security chiefs in the state had given them assurance of adequate protection. The Igbo leader also seized the opportunity to disassociate the Igbo people resident in Kano from the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). According to him, efforts had been made by Igbo leaders in the North and other ethnic leaders to reach out to their kinsmen at home, informing them that non-indigenes in Kano were living in peace with their hosts. “We have heard the rumour that our Hausa brothers and sisters in the South-East are being harassed. We have reached out home and we have told them to stop it if at all it happened, and they have assured us that such a thing would not happen again. So, there is peace and we are committed to maintaining peace and order.” Chief Chima also advised his people not to engage in panic travels, insisting that there was no cause for alarm. He said: “I want you to discontinue antipeace plot rumours which seem to be causing apprehension. Today’s press conference in Igbo House is as a result of the happenings in Aba, Abia State in the last couple of days. We have received random calls from our kith and kin in the East in this regard. “As Igbo people residing in the North and Kano in particular, it is exigent that we hold this press briefing to make known our position on the situation. We want to use this medium to condemn in entirety the avoidable crisis happening in Abia State. I as much as we will not dwell on apportioning blames or asking for who is right or wrong. We are strongly advocating peace and unity in the land. “We also want to state categorically here that we the Igbo residing and doing business in Kano State unequivocally state that we disassociate ourselves from the activities of IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. “However, we join the South East governors, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other notable Igbo leaders to ask the Federal Government to address the issues of equality of states and even distribution of our common wealth. This we believe will bring to an end these agitations.” Also speaking ECLAK President, Dr. Ayelangbe, said: “ECLAK is interested in a united Nigeria because we believe that those who are not living in their states of origin should not contribute to disorganising the country. We as Nigerians are intricately linked together in faith and action of patriotism. “We call on security agencies to cooperate with the fourth estate of the realm by not repeating what happened in Abia State where the press centre was invaded by the army thereby obstructing the performance of duties by journalists in view of the bold attempt to build a good image with the populace.” The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) also played a major role in sustaining peace in Kano at the time. The group, during a press conference at Kano NUJ Press Centre, called on northerners to resist anything that would lead to unnecessary provocation in carrying out a reprisal attack from the unfolding events in the South-East. The spokesman of the Group, Abdul-azeez Suleiman, in company of the chairman and co-chairman Aashir Shariff and Shetima Yerima, said with the prevailing situation, the North and northerners should remain calm and law-abiding. According to him, “in this situation, it is essential that the North and the northerners remain restrained and refuse to be provoked into reprisals, which is the ultimate hope of the conflict instigators. As cultured people with a long history of tolerance and respect for constituted authorities, we call on northerners to resist the temptation of carrying out reprisals and playing to the gallery.” He added: “Northerners, in line with their disciplined nature, must refuse at this point to be dragged into taking the law into their hands through unnecessary and unproductive confrontation with members of any sectional, ethnic or religious group. We must remain peacefully focused, mutually respectful, trusting and tolerant as we repose confidence in the ability and committed willingness of the Nigerian security agencies to handle the situation as well as protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian anywhere.” The group said that their struggle would continue to remain intellectual-based, precautionary and essentially non-violent, pointing out that the agitation for separation and cry for Biafra in the South-East by the agitators supported by politicians in order for them to be heard louder shall be resisted. The group also said they were prepared to “set out an immediate circuit to all the 19 northern states to prepare and sensitise the northern people on the need for calm and peaceful approach to the various positions and scenarios as regards the unfolding situation in the country, and enabling the northern people to be less amenable to provocation by deliberate misinformation and incitement campaigns.” According to them, “the agitations and disturbances that have been ongoing ceaselessly since the coming to power of the Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo administration in 2015 are aimed at rendering the country practically ungovernable, and ushering in of anarchy and instability, thereby occasioning a change of government by whatever means and tactics. The targeting of President Buhari’s administration and singling him for attacks and irrelevant treatment is aimed at causing inter-regional crisis possibly leading to general unrest.” However, there is no gainsaying the fact that the peace enjoyed in the ancient city during the crisis was as a result of proactive measures taken by Governor Ganduje to ensure that lives and property were secured in the state. In fact, instead of engaging in violence, youths in the state stormed the streets clad in Igbo traditional attire, chanting songs of peace, unity and progress in Nigeria. They carried banners with inscriptions such as “Igbos are our friends,” “Igbos are our brothers” “We will protect Igbos in Kano” and “say no to reprisals.”

  • IPOB urges court to set aside proscription order

    IPOB urges court to set aside proscription order

    The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja should set aside the order of injunction proscribing the activities of the group.

    Recall that the Chief Judge of the Federal High, Justice Abdu Kafarati, on Wednesday in Abuja, granted Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing activities of the group.

    Kafarati granted the injunction in chambers after the Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, had approached the court with an exparte motion urging the court to do so.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier given written approval for the proscription of the group, pending legal process.

    Governors of the Southeast states took the first step to ban the activities of the group after the military had declared it a militant terrorist group.

    NAN reports that Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to IPOB, led Maxwell Okpara, Chinwe Umeche, Habila Turshak, P. M. Umegborogu and Augustine Ezeokeke to file the process on behalf of the group.

    The motion, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/871/17 was brought pursuant to Section 6(6) (1) (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011.

    It was also brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

    The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was listed as respondent.

    The applicant averred that the grounds upon which the application was brought hinged on the fact that the Sept.20 exparte order made against it by the court was without jurisdiction.

    The lead counsel said the order granted against the entity was unknown to law.

    Ejiofor posited that there were clear suppression and misrepresentation of facts in the AGF’s affidavit evidence, pursuance to which the order was granted.

    “The order is unconstitutional, as it was made in clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed right of the Indigenous People of Biafra to self-determination.

    “It also violated Article 20(1) of the Africa Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, now domesticated into our law under (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

    “It ran against the right to fair hearing, right to freedom of expression and the press.

    “It further violated the right to peaceful assembly and association clearly provided for under sections 36, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (Amended) 2011,’’ Ejiofor said.

    According to him, a declaratory order cannot be made pursuant to an exparte application without hearing from the party against whom the order is made.

    He submitted that the Indigenous People of Biafra who were majorly of Igbo extraction had no history of violence in exercising their right to self-determination.

    “The Indigenous People of Biafra does not carry arms and has no history of arms struggle in the exercise of its constitutionally guaranteed right to self-determination.

    “Prior and during the military invasion of the South Eastern states, IPOB members had never at any time resorted to arm struggle or engage in acts of violence capable of threatening national security.

    Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High  Court No 4 had in her ruling delivered on March 1  held that the Indigenous People of Biafra was not an unlawful organisation.”

    Ejiofor further said that Justice Nyako’s decision still subsisted as it was not appealed against to be set aside by any appellate court.

    NAN reports that the matter is yet to be assigned to any judge of the court.

  • IPOB seeks reversal of court’s proscription order

    IPOB seeks reversal of court’s proscription order

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to vacate Wednesday’s court   order proscribing it.

    The Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Abdu Kafarati, in granting an ex-parte motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had said the activities of IPOB particularly in the South East or South South henceforth, constituted “an act of terrorism.”

    The motion was granted in chambers.

    However, IPOB in a counter application filed by its counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, branded the proscription order unconstitutional, and pleaded with the court to vacate the order because the group is non-violent.

    He also claimed IPOB was not given a fair hearing before the order was given.

    The IPOB application is based on the following grounds:

    “That the ex-parte order made on the 20th day of September 2017, by this honourable court was made without jurisdiction, as the order was granted against an entity unknown to law.

    “That there is a clear suppression and misrepresentation of facts in the attorney-general affidavit evidence, pursuance to which the order was granted.

    “That the order is unconstitutional,  as it was made in clear violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right of the Indigenous People of Biafra to self-determination, Article 20(1) of the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, now domesticated into our Law under (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, right to fair hearing, right to freedoms of expression, and the press and rights to peaceful assembly and association, clearly provided for under sections 36, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (Amended) 2011.

    “That a declaratory order cannot be made pursuant to an ex-parte application, without hearing from the party against whom the order was made.

    “The Indigenous People of Biafra who are majorly of Igbo extraction, have no history of violence in the exercise of their right to self- determination.

    “The Indigenous People of Biafra does not carry arms and has no history of arm struggle in the exercise of their constitutionally guarantee rights to self -determination.”

    The Defence Headquarters had declared IPOB a “militant terrorist” organisation and south-east governors had proscribed it before the court gave its own order.

  • IPOB unrest takes toll on Abia

    IPOB unrest takes toll on Abia

    Residents count their losses as a week-long curfew imposed on Aba, Abia State’s commercial capital, following unrest in the state, is lifted. SUNNY NWANKWO reports 

    It was a nightmarish week marked by military invasion, protests, clashes between secessionist agitators and security forces, and a 12-hour curfew imposed on Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State. As members of the Independent Peoples of Biafra or IPOB spilled into the streets protesting the army’s incursion in the home of their leader Nnamdi Kanu, the atmosphere in Aba and other parts of the state changed. Transporters began to withdraw from the roads and commuters had a tough time getting around. A curfew on the commercial city followed and everything came to a standstill. Streets were deserted. Shops were slammed shut. For Abia residents, the losses were huge, though some insisted there were gains as well since the curfew imposed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu helped to prevent an escalation of the crisis.

    No one will forget that week in which the image of the IPOB leader Kanu loomed large. A few months to the 2015 general election, Kanu hit the air wave especially in the Southeast where IPOB’s pirate radio station was broadcasting on the FM band. Although the station had been running on the internet for several months, it was learnt that in order to reach a wider audience in the region and beyond, Kanu decided to bring in transmitters.

    In one of his visits to Nigeria, Kanu was arrested, tried and remanded at the Kuje Prison, Abuja with other members of his group. After many months in prison he was released after meeting his bail conditions. He soon started crisscrossing the Southeast where he held rallies to reassure his supporters of his commitment to the cause of ending what he described as the marginalisation of the people of the eastern states.

    Irked by Kanu’s conduct at most of his rallies and in videos that have gone viral on the internet showing Kanu flouting his bail conditions granted by Justice Binta Nyako, the federal government through the Attorney General of the Federation went to court in August seeking the revocation of the bail conditions.

    Before Kanu’s scheduled court appearance on October 17, IPOB members and Kanu’s supporters took to the streets of Umuahia and Aba and other parts of the Southeast protesting the invasion of his house and the killing of IPOB members, among others acts allegedly perpetrated by soldiers in the state.

    The clash between the army and IPOB which came on the heels of a planned military operation in the region called Operation Python Dance II, led to the deployment of military personnel and tanks to the state capital and other parts of the state.

    As part of measures to contain the crisis brewing in the state especially in Aba, Governor Ikpeazu, after due consultations with the State Security Council, imposed a curfew on the state’s commercial hub.

    The curfew, Ikpeazu said, would last from 6pm to 6am.

    Meanwhile, the losses of Aba residents were mounting. While some of the respondents who spoke to our reporter in the city thanked the state government for its proactive step to nip in the bud what could have turned Abia and other parts of the country into yet another ethnic and religious crisis capable of degenerating into a civil war, others described the curfew as counterproductive to the economic development of the state.

    They also lamented the devastating effect the curfew had on night life in Aba which the commercial city was noted for before the 2010 insecurity challenge of the state.

    Investigations by our reporter revealed that apart from the devastating effects of the curfew on business owners, most churches, corporate organisations and individuals who scheduled various programmes within the period had to call them off indefinitely to forestall nasty eventualities for parishioners and invited guests.

    On the third day of the curfew our reporter found that major markets including Ariaria International Market, Cemetery, Shopping Plaza, and Ahia Ohuru, among others, were on Thursday last week forced to close down amid rumours that there were killings and mob attacks in every part of the city.

    Major streets and roads such as St. Michaels, Azikiwe, Milverton, Okigwe, Asa, Aba-Owerri Expressway, and Faulks, among others, were deserted as early as 5pm. This, some of the residents said, was to avoid the usual gridlock on most Aba roads which could keep them on the road till the start of the curfew.

    Many people who were unable to close early had to trek home due to scarcity of commercial buses and tricycles.

    A trader, Festus Madu, described the loss to his business as overwhelming and unquantifiable, stressing that it would take him months to recover. He said that most of the customers who patronise him from other West African countries were yet to start coming to Ariaria International market because of the fear and apprehension that greeted Aba as a result of the unrest.

    Corroborating Mr. Madu, a director of a hospitality facility near Ariaria International Market, Mr. Gilbert where some of the traders of other African countries lodged whenever they were in Aba for business claimed that there was a sharp drop in patronage of his facility.

    Gilbert warned that a continuation of the curfew and faceoff between the army and IPOB members would continue to have negative effects on the lives and businesses of citizens of the state.

    A fast food shop owner along Milverton that simply gave his name as Pius, while speaking with our reporter on Tuesday night, said, “We are happy that the governor has extended the time of the curfew to 10pm, but that will still not be enough. My business is done at night. We start selling food by 8 0’clock in the night to close around 3 to 4am because most persons traveling in the night comes to eat here. Some of the tailors and even bus drivers who work in the night do come here to eat. Passengers whose cars arrived late in the night and may be leave very early in the morning also come here to buy what they eat. But with the curfew still in place, we only have 2 to 3 hours to do our business and since Monday that the curfew was extended, business has been dull. After today, I don’t think I am going to cook again until the curfew is over. But my worry is what I will be doing until the state government announces the end of the curfew because the little money I make from this is what I use to pay for my shop and house rents and to pay for my children’s school fees.”

    A man who gave his name as Clinton Uchenna narrating his experience during the curfew said that he nearly lost his wife to illness as there was no means of conveying his wife to the hospital, stating that even his neighbours who saw the conditions of his wife failed to yield to his appeal as they feared of being held by soldiers on their way back from the hospital.

    A petty trader said that she had to sleep in the park after they returned late from Oil Mill market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State because she couldn’t get a bus to her place, adding that she couldn’t trek home either because of the curfew.

    While commending the state governor and other southeastern governors for taking a proactive step to stop the spread of unrest to other parts of the east, they appealed for calm and urged the Abia State Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu to rescind his decision to impose curfew in the state now that they said it seems that peace have returned in Aba and other parts of the state.

  • Eastern Consultative Assembly to honour Nnamdi Kanu

    Eastern Consultative Assembly to honour Nnamdi Kanu

    The Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) will honour the leader of the IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on October, 2017 at the presentation of a book titled “HOW NNAMDI KANU RESTRUCTURED NIGERIA”.

    The book produced by the ECA, documents the travails, the journey and frustrations in the spirited attempt by good men and women to save Nigeria from collapse, through a holistic restructuring of the polity back to true federalism and regional autonomy.

    This was contained in a press statement signed by the deputy leader of the ECA, Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwo and issued in Enugu.

    The book reveals how Nigeria is crippled by an over-powerful center, prebendalism, unitary structure, ethnic divisions, corruption and ill-fitting military constitution. The book also recalls the struggles by Late Anthony Enahoro, Late Abraham Adesanya, Late Rotimi Williams, Late Tunji Braithwaite etc. to reconstruct and redesign Nigeria through a wholesome restructuring of the polity that will throw up a new people’s constitution that would be affirmed at a referendum.

    The book exposes the reasons why enemies of progress have consistently killed reports of past National Conferences, just so they could continue to hold Nigerians hostage and deny the people opportunity to take back their country from the vicious cabal that believes they are born to rule and dominate others forever.

    Kanu is being honoured for achieving under two years the restructuring of Nigeria, something that seemed impossible just two years ago.

    “As every group and government has set up their own committee on restructuring, going round organizing public hearings/sittings, the unborn generations of Nigeria will forever remain grateful to Nnamdi Kanu for moving the restructuring agenda from the realm of speculation into reality, something he achieved at great sacrifice,” says the statement.

  • IG promotes police officer killed by IPOB

    IG promotes police officer killed by IPOB

    A policeman killed when suspected members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked and burnt down the police post at the Ariaria market in Aba was yesterday promoted posthumously by Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris

    The IG announced the promotoion of the late Cyril Nwosu to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), during his visit to Abia State.

    Idris declared the IPOB crisis in the state as a trial for all of Nigerians, adding that the country had come out stronger. He urged Nigerians to uphod the unity of the country.

    The IG also lauded the role of the traditional institution in peace-building and fostering national unity

    He commended Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu saying: “We have seen a lot of changes in Abia. The crisis experienced in the state in the past few days is not new, where some misguided elements tried to achieve their dreams in a wrong way.

    “I believe Nigeria must be stronger, every part of Nigeria has its strength, if will we try to harness this strength together, we are going to make this country far better than we are now”.

    He hailed the role played by te governor during the crisis.

    Dr Ikpeazu reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and property of Nigerians living in the state irrespective of where they come from.

    He thanked God that peace had been restored to the state by the police and other security agencies.

     “We see the police force as enablers that can help us drive growth in all aspects of our economic growth in Nigeria. We believe firmly that unless there is security, we cannot grow our prosperity,” he said

  • IPOB/Army clash: IGP promotes slain officer

    IPOB/Army clash: IGP promotes slain officer

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has conferred a post-humous promotion on the late Assistant Superintendent of Police, Cyril Nwosu who was killed when suspected members of IPOB attacked and burnt down the police post in Ariaria Aba.
    The dead police officer who was yet to be confirmed as a substantive  as a ASP, was confirmed by the IGP during his visit to Abia state to see things for himself and also assess the security situation in the state after the clash.
    Idris said that the recent crisis in the state was a trial to all of Nigerians, adding that the country has come out stronger and appealed to all stakeholders to take the unity of Nigeria as a priority.
    The IGP lauded the role of the traditional institutiona in peace-building and fostering national unity especially during the crisis that engulfed the state recently and thanked them for their role in ensuring that peace reign supreme in the state.
    The Nigerian police boss spoke during a courtesy call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Umuahia while on his official visit to the state to show solidarity with the state government over the recent crises.
    Idris said that there has been many security challenges in the state in recent time and thanked the security agencies for raising to the occasion.
    “We have seen a lot of changes in Abia, the crises experienced in the state in the past few days are events that are not new, where some misguided elements tried to achieve their dreams in a wrong way.
    “I believe Nigeria must be stronger, every part of Nigeria has its strength, if will we try to harness this strength together, we are going to make this country far better than we are now”.
    The IGP commended the Governor Ikpeazu for his role in dousing the tension, stressing that his timely imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew went a long way to bring peace and sanity within the state and its people.
    Responding, the Abia Governorreaffirmed his commitment to ensure protection of lives and property of Nigerians living in the state irrespective of where they may come from so long as they reside in the state.
    Ikpeazu maintained that Abia will continue to harbor and take all Nigerians residing in the state as brothers and thanked the Inspector General of police for responding to the needs of all parts of Nigeria.
  • France, UK deny support for IPOB

    France, UK deny support for IPOB

    France and United Kingdom have denied granting any form of support to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Both countries in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday said they are strongly in support of Nigeria’s unity.

    The French government denied any knowledge of IPOB presence in its country, saying it is strongly in support of Nigeria’s unity.

    In apparent reaction to the statement made by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the bulk of IPOB funding from diaspora supporters came through France, the Political Counsellor, Embassy of France in Nigeria, Mr. Claude Abily, said the statement was shocking to the French government.

    Abily said his country has been cooperating with Nigeria in the area of security.

    The statement reads: “The Embassy of France was surprised by the statement made yesterday (Wednesday) by the Minister of Information and Culture indicating that the ‘financial headquarters’ of IPOB was in France.

    “We don’t have any knowledge of a particular presence of IPOB in France and the Nigerian authorities never got in touch with the Embassy on this point.

    “We stand ready to examine any information which could support this statement.

    “Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that France actively cooperates with Nigeria in the field of security and that we strongly support the unity of the country.”

    On its part, the British government said it was not aware of any representation from its Nigerian counterpart about Radio Biafra.

    The statement reads: “The UK is not aware of any representation from the Nigerian government about Radio Biafra. Were we to receive any such request, we would of course consider it carefully on the basis of the available evidence, recognising that freedom of speech and expression carries responsibilities.”

  • Court proscribes IPOB

    Court proscribes IPOB

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order proscribing the pro-separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The court has also declared illegal all activities of the group, particularly in the South-east and Southsouth.

    It restrained “any person or group of persons from participating in any of the group’s activities”.

    The Acting Chief Judge of the court, Justice Adamu Kafarati, granted the orders after hearing an ex-parte application filed and argued yesterday by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.

    Justice Kafarati directed the AGF to ensure the publication of the IPOB proscription order in the official gazette and two national dailies.

    With Malami in the court were the Solicitor-General of the Federation (SGF), Tayo Apata; Acting Director, Civil Litigation, Mrs. Maimuna Shiru; and other lawyers in the Federal Ministry of Justice, including T. A. Gazali and Oyin Koleosho.

    Specifically, the judge said: “That an order, declaring the activities of the respondent – Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) – in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria amount to acts of terrorism and illegallity, is granted.

    “That an order proscribing the existence of the respondent (IPOB) in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-east and South-South regions of Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazette and two national dailies, is granted.

    “That an order restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the respondent (IPOB) under any other name or platform, however called or described, is granted.”