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Tag: IPOB

  • IPOB crisis ‘bigger than Boko Haram’

    IPOB crisis ‘bigger than Boko Haram’

    •Shettima warns of grave danger

    The Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB separatist crisis being spearheaded by Nnamdi Kanu  is bigger than the activities of the deadly terrorist group Boko Haram, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has said.

    No fewer than 20, 000 people are believed to have been killed by Boko Haram since the Islamist sect started its attacks in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, especially and partly in Abuja and some other parts of the country about eight years ago.

    Thousands of others have been maimed by the sect that was also responsible for the infamous abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in April, 2014. More than 100 of the girls are still in the sect’s custody.

    Thousands of others abducted by the sect remain unaccounted for.

    Speaking in Owerri on Monday night during a meeting with Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, when he led a truce team of North’s governors to the state, Shettima said the threats posed by the Nnamdi Kanu-led secessionist IPOB to the nation’s survival are far bigger than those posed by Boko Haram.

    He said it was for this reason that he had to leave the killings going on in his state behind to join Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) Simon Lalong (Platueau) Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina) and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), on visits to Abia, Rivers and Imo, seeking peace.

    “Only this morning, 25 people were killed in my state via explosions carried out by three suicide bombers, but I have to be on this mission because of what it means to the nation,” he said.

    He noted that the huge population of Nigeria makes it imperative to avoid anything that could lead to war among its tribal groups, wondering which country would have the capacity to accommodate Nigerian refugees in the event of another civil war.

    He said: “What we wanted to forestall actually was a mass movement of Nigerians from one part of the country to another. It was a very dangerous signal.

    “We equally invite our brothers from the South East to visit some of the northern flash points like Kaduna, Kano and Jos, and together we can talk to our Igbo brothers and sisters there to assure them of the safety of their lives and properties.

    “Make or break, this country belongs to all of us. The population of Syria is a paltry 22 million. Only 2 million Syrian refugees are knocking on the doors of Europe and it is causing reverberation. How then do you perceive a situation where 35 million English-speaking Nigerians are knocking on the doors of Europe?

    “That is why we have a moral obligation as stakeholders to make things work in this country. We are all part of the leadership challenges we are facing in this country, and none of us can exonerate him or herself from blame.

    “Like I said earlier in Aba, the hope of the black man rests not with the hard-thinking South Africans or the obsequious Kenyans who are struggling to be more white than the white men, but with the people of this country.

    “If you see an African walking on the streets of London and would not leave the way obsequiously for the white man to pass, you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that that black man is a Nigerian.

    “If we allow this country to implode, up is the Sahara Desert, Niger is already a failed state. The population of Niger is only 11 million while Kano has a population of about 30 million. We can eat up the entire food reserve of Niger Republic within a week.

    “Down is the Atlantic Ocean and the tiny countries of Benin Republic, Togo and Senegal. Maybe some of us will migrate to Gambia. The entire food reserves of those tiny West African countries can be exhausted within two weeks.”

    Shettima thanked Governor Okorocha for the warm reception he accorded the delegation, saying that they were in the state principally as a delegation of Northern Nigeria governors’ forum to identify with the uncommon leadership exhibited by the governors of the South East sub-region in these trying moments of the nation’s contemporary political history.

    He said: “In politics, perception counts and symbolism matters. So we are here largely to identify with our governor colleagues; to visit the northern communities in their states and to reassure them that our governor colleagues are equal to the task.

    “In fact, I had to pay a visit to the governor of Rivers State where we were earlier on, and Chief Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and, of course, the merchant of peace in Imo State (Okorocha) for rapidly responding to the emergency situations in their respective states by declaring dusk to dawn curfews. They equally stopped the nation from reaching the boiling point.

    “While we were in Rivers, we were not opportune to address the northern community. But in Aba and Umuahia, we were able to do so and thank the governor, because the reports we got directly from the northerners residents in Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu had solved 70 per cent of their problems; that they had never had it so good of a governor that responded rapidly to the challenges they were facing in their communities.”

    Okorocha thanked the delegation on behalf of the people of Imo State for leaving their busy schedules to travel more than 1,000 km just to speak the language of peace.

    “Even between husband and wife, without communication, a break-up is inevitable. And we should not only communicate between ourselves as governors, we should also communicate with the ordinary citizens on the streets,” he said.

    He said there was a feeling of abandonment among the people of the South East, especially with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari because they feared from day one that since they did not vote him, his government would forget them.

    “As untrue as that may be, it remains the general feeling of the people in this part of the world. So, you coming to bridge the gap is a right step in the right direction,” he said.

  • Govt to block IPOB funding sources

    Govt to block IPOB funding sources

    The Federal Government says it is aware of the sources of funding of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and is taking steps to block them.

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed disclosed yesterday when he appeared on a live TV programme “Good Morning Nigeria”, on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

    “Terrorists do not publish where their funding are coming from. But we know the countries that are supporting IPOB.

    “We know the sources of their funding, though I am not at liberty to disclose them here.

    “We are taking steps to block them and we are also taking a lot of diplomatic actions in respect of the countries that are supporting them.”

    The minister said that most of the countries supporting the group were doing so based on ignorance, hoodwinked to believing that “Nigeria is a country where Muslims persecute Christians” and a country where there is genocide.

    “As we speak today, IPOB has written letters to many governments outside Nigeria, international parliaments sending fake and cloned videos, claiming there is genocide in Nigeria.

    The minister charged the international community not to adopt double standard in dealing with IPOB and to be more diligent before making any pronouncements.

    He said what the countries would never accept in their territories, should not be condoned or encouraged in Nigeria.

    The minister justified the actions of the military for declaring IPOB a terrorist group as well as its proscription by the South-East governors.

    “There are a lot of arguments regarding the constitutionality of the action of the military and the South East governors.

    “People must realise that we are dealing with issue of national security and I do not think that the military and the governors should fold their arms while the country is set ablaze.

    “I have heard a lot of comments as to whether the military has the right to declare IPOB, a terrorist group.

    “What the military has done is to catalogue all the activities of IPOB, which are not different from that of terrorists groups,” he said.

    Mohammed said IPOB set up a para-military organisation, a parallel military group, Biafra Secret Service and Biafra National Guard.

    He said the group was attacking army installations and soldiers at check points, extorting money from innocent people.

    “IPOB activities are not jokes. If there have not been the proactive actions on the part of the military and the Southeast governors, there would have been retaliations from other regions and the entire country will be set on fire.

    “We cannot be talking of semantics or procedure when the nation is moving towards crises and precipices.

    It is only in a Banana Republic that you can see non-state actors doing what IPOB is doing.

    “The actions by the military and the governors should be seen from the perspective of ensuring internal security and averting chaos,” he said.

    The minister reiterated his position that IPOB was being sponsored by the association of disgruntled politicians and treasury looters to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari”s Administration.

    He admonished the media and opinion leaders to be circumspect in their publications and discussions on IPOB in order not to aggravate the crises the more.

    “The kind of comments and headlines in the media as well as comments from certain quarters are the types that give oxygen and confidence to the IPOB.

    “They must exercise restraint because the only reason we practice our profession or be a commentator is simply because there is peace in the country,” Muhammed said.

     

  • IPOB: PDP advises APC to look inward

    IPOB: PDP advises APC to look inward

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to look inward in resolving the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) crisis.

    The party gave the advice in a statement by its National Caretaker Committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeye yesterday in Abuja.

    It said it was constrained to react to statement credited to Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noting excuses and blame-game would not help in solving the problem.

    The party said the minister on Sunday, tried to shift blames of the poor handling of the agitations of IPOB by the current administration to an opposition.

    According to it, it is worrisome that government blamed opposition parties, which they have conveniently labelled looters, for the activities of IPOB.

    It urged the APC to look inward in locating the looters using their ill-gotten wealth to sponsor separatist agitation against the government of the day.

    It stated that no external enemy was working against the APC government and advised the party to do soul-searching and correct the anomaly.

    “We wish to put on record that agitation for actualisation of the State of Biafra was a total silent voice while the PDP was in power.

    “That was because of the Government of inclusiveness we provided for Nigerians who were made to experience what a genuine national government meant.

    “Finally, as a party, we had condemned and we are still condemning separatist movements tailored towards balkanising the nation.”

  • Presidency faults Saraki over comment on IPOB

    Presidency faults Saraki over comment on IPOB

    •’Legislature lacks the power to declare Executive’s decision illegal’ 

    THE Presidency has faulted the argument credited to Senate President Bukola Saraki that the Nigerian Army lacked the powers to declare the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a terrorist organisation.

    Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, argued that the Army’s decision was in order.

    He queried the legal right of the Senate President and the entire Legislature to declare as illegal, a decision or action by the Executive or any of its agencies.

    Obono-Obla, who drew a distinction between proscription and the declaration of an organsation as a terrorist group, said the Attorney General would soon apply to the court for IPOB’s proscription.

    The Presidential aide, in a statement yesterday, argued that the Army, being an agency of the Executive arm of government, acted within its powers in declaring IPOB a terrorist group for operational convenience.

    He said: “The military, as part of the Executive branch of government, has the right to declare that IPOB is a terrorist organisation for the purpose of quelling the threat posed to national security and corporate existence of the country by the unwholesome and nefarious activities of the organisation.

    “So, there is nothing absolutely wrong or unconstitutional for the military, for operational reason, to declare IPOB a terrorist organisation.

    “Declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organisation does not amount to proscription of IPOB. Proscription of IPOB will surely be in accordance with the procedure and processes underlined in the provisions of Section 2 (1) of the Terrorism ( Prevention) Act 2011.”

    He added: “The military never proscribed IPO, but only declared it a terrorist organisation, because of the way and manner it has been carrying out its activities.

    “These include pelting stones and cocktail Molotov bombs on convoys of military vehicles, burning of police stations, killings of police officers, attacking and threatening Nigerians living in Abia State, who do not subscribe to its separatist and militants ideology , creating the Biafra Security  Service and Biafra National Guard.”

  • Armed struggle won’t benefit Igbo, says Ikpeazu

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said yesterday that the Igbo won’t benefit anything from armed struggle as being pushed by the Indigenous People of Biafra.(IPOB).

    Ikpeazu spoke to reporters yesterday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after briefing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to brief him on the security situation in his state.

    Abia is the epicentre of the activities of the separatist group led by Nnamdi Kanu.

    Ikpeazu said: “If you are referring to what happened in the past one week. Nigerians know that for some time now that this group called IPOB, were agitating for a separate nation called Biafra and that the home state of the leader of that group happens to be Abia State.

    “As expected, when such things happen, there is an interface between some members of that group and the military, and the theatre was Abia State.

    “And some people attempted to hijack that event to conflagrate our country. To the glory of God, the rest is history, we are still working to stabilise the fragile peace in the region.

    “I thank God also for the instruments he used to be able to keep our country as one. We are humbled by the privileges,” he said

    On his meeting with northern governors on Monday, Ikpeazu said he assured them of safety of lives and property of everybody living in Abia.

    “I swore with the Bible to protect lives and property and because I take such things seriously, I will continue to protect the lives and property of my brothers and sisters irrespective of where they come from.

    “You know that the mainstay of our economy in Abia State is trade and commerce and I do not think it will augur well for our economy if we make our kitchen the theatre of Biafra.

    “A native wisdom in my place says you shouldn’t allow a fight to ensue from your mother’s kitchen. It is my responsibility also to grow prosperity from my state,” he said

    On the that the IPOB crisis was as a result of the failure of leadership in the South East, the governor said: “Allegations are supposed to be investigated by investigative officers and I’m not trying  to investigate such things, so it is just the masses, especially the press.

    “You know, we are perception builders, we should try to say things that are good about our country, not things that are bad. I think there are enough reasons to see that under our circumstance, that we may not be Eldorado yet, but there are concerted efforts, attempts to make our place a better place. I do not see how as an Ibo man boxing myself into a smaller geographic entity without recourse of the most widely travelled people in Nigeria.

    “There are Igbos in Sambisa, what are you expecting of them if I narrow their geography of coverage. But agitation, marginalization, infrastructural deficiencies, these are issues which are germane and they can be discussed, they can be spoken about, they can be addressed. But I do not know how in 21st century how carrying arms in my kitchen will grow the prosperity of my people.”

    Asked what his message to Igbos is, he said: “First and foremost, I think our relationship with our brothers from northern Nigeria the governors, they have assured that every part of Nigeria is safe for every Nigerian including Igbos to continue in their business and enterprise.

    “I want to announce that the population of Igbos outside Ibo enclave is about 11.6 million, you don’t play with the lives of 11.6 million. So we all have to be careful, the press, the leadership at the state level, the leadership at the Federal Government level, everybody.

    “I think we should be guarded by the rule of law and grow confidence in the Nigerian citizens that under our laws that he is protected,” he said

    On his meeting with the Vice President, Ikpeazu said: “Well, naturally, I’m heading a subnational government when this kind of thing happens, which would have had dimension of national proportion; it’s right that you will come and brief the C-in-C or his vice and that is exactly what I have come to do.”

    Ikpeazu  said he would not dethrone the traditional ruler of Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia, Eze Isreal Kanu, who is Nnamdi Kanu’s father.

    He said: “I clearly separate Kanu from his father. The processes of handling traditional institutions are enshrined in the laws of our land. And traditional rulers who are members of our constituency have leadership they will do the needful at the appropriate time.

    “But, for me, I think there is a clear division between Nnamdi Kanu and his father.”

     

  • Biafra: The fire this time

    Aldous Huxley, a famous English writer and philosopher once said: “That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.” In the last few days, it has become increasingly clear that the group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Nnamdi Kanu, their “supreme leader”, are on a mission to justify these words by all means. The federal government is also not absolved in this regard – a history of over-reaction and high handedness on its part also looks set to repeat itself and tip the scales in favour of the carnage that IPOB group seeks.

    For a couple of years now, Kanu has been a thorn in the side of the Nigerian government. His hate speech and threat against the Nigerian state including ordinary Nigerians had compelled the government to order his arrest and prosecution for various offences, including treason. His arrest led to a protracted period of detention. When he was finally released on bail, it was on clear and stringent conditions that he apparently left behind in the courtroom.

    Now, having incited his supporters to one mindless act after another, the culmination of their incendiary actions and remarks and the high-handed response of agents of the government, have become a threat to the frail stability of multiple inter-ethnic locations across the country. One almost feels sorry for the government that has to check excessive reactions of its agents in the face of unbridled provocation by the IPOB cohort as it happened in Abia State last week.

    Though the skirmish in Abia State was regrettable, the crass disregard for civil decency that has been exhibited by Kanu and his followers from the onset has been astounding. All along, his message has veered so much off-course of the traditional Igbo marginalisation theory, to the extent that even Ralph Uwazuruike, the man who claimed to have recruited him into the original Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has repeatedly condemned and washed his hands off Kanu. It is also of great concern that the broadcasts that were personally made by Kanu on the platform of his foreign domiciled Radio Biafra, were, indeed, not seeking to promote Igbo interests but rather, pandered to ethnic division and hatred of the other tribes in Nigeria.

    While this balderdash was going on, surprisingly, seemingly moderate Igbos, including Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, had thought that they could ignore Kanu’s treasonable excesses by dismissing his actions as immature and eccentric. In the same vein, these moderate Igbos had been riding on the coat tails of IPOB’s message of hate, to reiterate the Igbo marginalisation mantra.

    For a people whose enterprising nature and economic dexterity is readily recognised anywhere in the land, and demonstrated through repeated appointments into sensitive areas of government including positions at the head of the military, in the recent past, the argument of marginalisation just cannot hold sway. That no Igbo president has emerged since the civil war, is directly traceable to the efforts to secure the position through strong-arm tactics and the same threats as we see today, instead of the politics of charm and alliances that everyone else is busy consummating.

    In an interview with Al Jazeera after his release on bail, Kanu was quoted as saying: “We have one thing in common, all of us that believe in Biafra, one thing we have in common, a pathological hatred for Nigeria. I cannot begin to put into words how much I hate Nigeria”. The question is: If Kanu detests the country so much, why has he not renounced his citizenship?

    Albert Einstein, arguably one of the most regarded scientists in history, a German-born Jew renounced his German citizenship at a time when German ideals were incompatible with his beliefs. That, surely, is the civilised thing to do instead of rousing vulnerable youths in the name of hatred to destabilise the peace of other Nigerians, including well-meaning Igbos who will be caught up in any fighting that might result from the irresponsibility of a few bigots.

    It is apparent that Kanu has constituted a law unto himself. Images of shabbily clad, desperate young men dubbed “Biafran Security Forces” being ‘inspected’ by Kanu are routine online. His supporters have attacked military checkpoints with crude tools, burnt a police station and hunted for northerners who were marked for death by them. Kanu is also seen in a separate video urging his supporters to “burn down” Nigeria if he gets re-arrested, and this, after brazenly breaching the terms of his bail. Right now, he does not seem like one who will report to court on the next date for hearing of his case.

    It should be noted too that the Army itself has been caught on camera mistreating members of the group in an inexcusable act of ruthlessness. Although the military high command has launched investigation into this detestable act, it goes to show the excesses of some public officials in their behavioural pattern against the same public they are paid to protect. And as they say, two wrongs can never make a right.

    Now, the questions some need to ask themselves is: Is there any justification for supporting, in public or private, such a divisive figure as Kanu? And for those who will not openly condemn him for what he has become, what are they waiting for?

    Surely, there is no middle ground between hate and legitimate efforts to protect people’s interests within a civilised society. Right now, with his utterances, Kanu is not towing the path of Mandela or even Odumegwu Ojukwu, as he would want people to believe. Definitely, he is moving towards a warped Igbo supremacy quest modelled after Adolf Hitler, without the brains, wit or might, to execute it. The outrageous claims of possessing ‘nuclear weapons’ can only be an indication of a mentally challenged individual, which could spell greater doom for all those who follow his path.

    It is a big relief that the government has been able to douse the flames of reprisal attacks against Igbos in Jos for the hunting of northerners in the east by Kanu and his cohorts. However, this fragile peace is subject to puncture by even the slightest whim of these unstable young men who are unable to grasp the full consequences of their actions.

    It is worth a reminder that the horrors of the Nigerian Civil War or Biafra War, which are still etched in the sub-conscious of many of the leaders of the South-east, are real and should never be revisited. As for the government, the time has come for careful diplomacy in handling Kanu by gently coaxing him to talks with the Igbo leadership. This is so because his acts are fast crossing the threshold of decency and common sense.

    Already, the military has declared IPOB a militant terrorist organisation, while at the same time, the committee of South-east governors and the leadership of the Ohanaeze, the pan-Igbo socio-cultural group proscribed the group – all with good reasons. Illegal formation of parallel security forces not recognised by the state, attacking state security forces, and hunting down innocent people definitely justify these actions. It is sad, but the Igbo leaders’ action came a little too late because the leaders had all along been too reluctant to decide on what to do. Hopefully the greater interests of the Igbo people should now prevail.

    It is, however, unfortunate that there are claims of deaths from the hands of the military in Kanu’s camp. If it is true, it is should be properly investigated. While fighting hate and indecency, we should not descend into the same ugly depth as the defaulters. It is hoped that the right thing is done in all quarters, to avoid a repeat of past horrors. Nigeria needs peace, but surely, not the peace of the graveyard.

  • IPOB: Ohanaeze warns FG on frivolous court order

    IPOB: Ohanaeze warns FG on frivolous court order

    The Igbo socio-political organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Tuesday warned courts in Nigeria not to allow themselves be used to undermine democratic process by granting frivolous orders against the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    Ohanaeze, in a statement signed by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, said it has credible intelligence that the Attorney General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has secretly approached courts to obtain an order to designating IPOB a terrorist group.

    Nwodo said such move is not only illegal but aimed at furthering the harassment and intimidation of Igbo youths who have been pursuing their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.

     

  • IPOB denies burning Mosque in Enugu

    IPOB denies burning Mosque in Enugu

    The Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) has denied having any hand in the recent burning of a mosque at IgboEze north council area of Enugu state.
    The group in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful said that IPOB is known to be a peaceful group and has never been violent  in its effort to achieve a republic of their own.
    It alleged that in a situation such as it is happening in the South East geopolitical zone, some unscrupulous groups would want to use the situation to cause mayhem and put the blame on their group.
    The statement reads, “The attention of IPOB has been drawn to the burning of a mosque in Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State, we also saw a picture purporting the burning of the mosque and the caption blaming it on IPOB members”.
    “IPOB leadership would like to use this opportunity to disassociate the hallowed name of IPOB and its members from the alleged arson and any other concocted news of an attack or vandalism, especially on Muslims and their places of worship”.
    “IPOB is not unaware of the desperation of some unscrupulous groups to cause mayhem and blame it on IPOB as a way of instigating counter violence against Southerners in the North”.
    “The aim of these type of groups is to distract our focus and firm resolve to force a peaceful referendum within the law and no amount of violence visited on our family members will dissuade us from this historic and legitimate course”.
    “Biafrans in particular and Nigerians in general should therefore blame any of such attacks on criminal gangs who have been paid to cause disaffection between law abiding Biafrans and other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria”.
    “We wish to further state unequivocally that Muslims and other non-Biafrans living in South-East and South South have nothing to fear from IPOB, as our members are committed to a nonviolent, unarmed struggle for self determination, which is guaranteed in charters of the United Nations, international laws and other extant laws on fundamental human rights”.
    “IPOB does not need to remind Nigerians that it is the culture in Biafraland to protect our visitors and any of these alleged heinous acts are viewed by the great family of IPOB as abomination which our leadership and members condemn in its entirety”.
    “IPOB members should be vigilant and stay away from the provocative government- sponsored death squads whose main objective is to draw we Biafrans to another unplanned civil war but God forbid”.
  • ‎ Saraki wrong on IPOB’s comment – Presidency

    ‎ Saraki wrong on IPOB’s comment – Presidency

    The Presidency has faulted the statement credited to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, that the Nigerian Army lacked the powers to declare the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation.

    The Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, said the army’s decision was in order.

    He queried the legal right of the Senate president and the entire legislature to declare as illegal, any action taken by the executive or any of its agencies.

    Obono-Obla, who drew a distinction between proscription and declaration, said the Attorney General of the Federation would soon apply for IPOB’s proscription in court.

    The presidential aide, in a statement on Tuesday, argued that the army, being an agency of the executive arm of government, acted within its powers by declaring IPOB a terrorist group for operational convenience.

    He said: “The military, as part of the executive branch of government, has the right to declare that IPOB is a terrorist organization for the purpose of quelling the threat posed to national security and corporate existence of the country by the unwholesome and nefarious activities of the organization.

    “So, there is nothing absolutely wrong or unconstitutional for the military, for operational reason, to declare IPOB a terrorist organization.

    “Declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization does not amount to proscription of IPOB. Proscription of IPOB will surely be in accordance with the procedure and processes underlined in the provisions of Section 2 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011.

    “It provides thus: ‘Where two or more persons associate for the purpose of or where an organization engages in:

    *(a) participating or collaborating in an act of terrorism;

    *(b) promoting , encouraging or exhorting others to commit an act of terrorism ; or (c) setting or pursuing acts of terrorism, the judge in chambers may, on application made by the Attorney General, the National Security Adviser or Inspector- General of Police,  on the approval of the President, declare any entity to be a proscribed organization and the notice should be published in official gazette.’

    “The military never proscribed IPO, but only declared it a terrorist organization, because of the way and manner it has been carrying out its activities.

    “These include pelting stones and cocktail Molotov bombs on convoys of military vehicles, burning of police stations, killing of police officers, attacking and threatening Nigerians living in Abia State, who do not subscribe to its separatist and militants ideology, creating the Biafra Security Service and Biafra National Guard.

  • IPOB: I won’t dethrone Kanu’s father – Ikpeazu

    IPOB: I won’t dethrone Kanu’s father – Ikpeazu

    The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, said on Tuesday he would not dethrone the father of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over the group’s activities.

    Kanu’s father, Eze Israel, is the traditional ruler of Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia.

    The activities of IPOB in recent times had been threatening the lives and properties of residents in Abia and Igbos in other parts of the country.

    That had also led to the deployment of security personnel to Umuahia and proscription of IPOB.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the governor said he would separate the father from the son in handling the matter.

    He said: “I clearly separate Kanu from his father. The processes of handling traditional institutions are enshrined in the laws of our land. And traditional rulers who are members of our constituency have leadership and they will do the needful at the appropriate time.

    “But for me, I think there is a clear division between Nnamdi Kanu and his father.”

    On the activities of IPOB, Ikpeazu added: “But if you are referring to what happened in the past one week. Nigerians know that for some time now that this group called IPOB was agitating for a separate nation called Biafra and that the home state of the leader of that group is Abia State.

    “As expected, when such things happen there is an interface between some members of that group and the military, and the theater was Abia State.

    “And some people attempted to hijack that event to conflagrate our country. To the glory of God the rest is history, we are still working to stabilize the fragile peace in the region.

    “I thank God also for the instruments he used to keep our country as one. We are humbled by the privileges.”