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Tag: IPOB

  • Classification of IPOB as terrorist organisation unconstitutional – Saraki

    Classification of IPOB as terrorist organisation unconstitutional – Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday faulted the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation.

    Saraki also disagreed with the proscription of IPOB by South East governors.

    In a statement he personally signed, the Senate President said both the classification of IPOB as a terrorist organisation and the proscription of the body by Southeast governors did not follow due process.

    ”Following the clash between the military and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), I hereby call for calm and restraint by all Nigerians so that we would all jointly find the right solution to the current problem rather than worsening the crisis,” Saraki said.

    He said the National Assembly on resumption on September 26, would investigate the crisis rocking the South east with the aim of apportioning blames where necessary.

    Saraki insisted that the categorisation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation and its proscription by the governors were unconstitutional, especially with the laws stating clearly on how to go about such a situation.

    The Senate President said because of the unconstitutionality of the categorisation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation and its proscription did not follow due process the action cannot take effect.

    Saraki said: “Our brothers and sisters in the Southeast, in particular, should continue to maintain peace and tranquility and go about their lawful business. This crisis will not benefit anybody but would only expose innocent people to unwarranted danger.

    ”At this point, Nigerians outside the South-East who have worked to ensure that the crisis does not spread to other parts of the country deserve our commendation. I therefore call for continued efforts to sustain peace, unity and stability in all our communities so as to ensure that all residents, no matter their religion, tribe and creed, remain protected and safe under the law.

    ”It is also important that commentators and purveyors of information on all media platforms should be conscious of the need, at all times, to maintain the unity of the country. Therefore, they must refrain from circulating information that has the potential for aggravating the crisis. We should all realise, as individuals and as a collective, that Nigeria is all we have and it is in our individual and collective  interests that we  do not stoke the fire of crisis and fan the ember of discord through the message we are spreading. We must all protect and strengthen our country rather than contribute to her collapse and disintegration.

    ” I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by governors of the Southeast states and the categorisation of the group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and do not follow due process. Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process. This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a country that operates by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool.

    “We must commend the military for their efforts in restoring peace to different parts of the country and sustaining the unity of the country. However, in the face of provocation, the military should allow themselves to be guided by their training, which emphasises respect for human rights, even in war. Also, given the nature of this particular situation, the military has every reason to be hesitant in the use of force.

    “Also, it is my view that we should not over-stretch the military. We need to protect our military against dissipation of their fighting strength. And this means we need to strengthen the police and equip them with the capacity to deal with civil crisis. That is why we, in the National Assembly, are already reviewing the Police Act and also looking at the possibility of enabling other para-military agencies to help in curbing civil unrest and maintenance of law and order.

    ”I want to also make it clear that the National Assembly intends to embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed at determining what actually happened during the period of the military exercise in the South-east. We want to be able to sift the facts from the fiction and determine who did what. It is quite clear that all the facts are not yet known. We assure Nigerians that there will be no cover-up. We intend to lay the facts bare.

    ”On a long term, we want to remind Nigerians that the reason for embarking on constitution review by the National Assembly was to enable us look into issues that are agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension among us. We have promised that the exercise would be continuous. We intend to keep that promise by further taking decisions that would strengthen and improve on our structures. The Eighth National Assembly, on resumption, will play its constitutional role by addressing all those issues that are agitating the minds of our people and over which they feel so strong. I appeal to all our people to always direct their grievances to the right channels.

    ” Let me further reiterate the need for all leaders of thought – political, religious and traditional – to continue to engage with our people on the need to maintain peace and be our brothers’ keepers.”

     

  • IPOB: We can’t be intimidated

    IPOB: We can’t be intimidated

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday declared that no intimidation or harassment from any quarter will make it retreat.

    The group described its proscription by the Southeast governors and the declaration of it as a terrorist organisation by the Defence Headquarters as actions that could not stand.

    IPOB said a referendum to determine a sovereign state of Biafra would compensate the people.

    In a statement yesterday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, said it wondered why herdsmen that had several times caused havoc in various parts of the country had not been declared a terrorist organisation.

    IPOB said: “It is also on record that till date, no police commissioner or governor in the South East or South South has dared to rise up against the fourth deadliest  terrorist group in the world we know as Fulani herdsmen.

    “When Fulani herdsmen attacked Enugu, Anambra,  Ebonyi and Abia states, none of the police commissioners in these various states or any of these governors now supporting genocide against their people ever uttered a word in opposition.

    “82 Division of the Nigerian Army at Enugu,  a mere 13 kilometers from where  Fulani herdsmen armed with sophisticated weaponry attacked innocent villagers, did not rise up to aid Enugu people.

    “They did not storm the hideout or known settlements of Fulani herdsmen in Enugu. There was no stop and search of Fulani people. There were no arbitrary arrests of Fulani men. Fulani women were not carted off to be raped and dehumanised by Nigerian soldiers.

    “Fulani leaders and Arewa North never rose up in condemnation of Fulani herdsmen.

    “We must not stop to let the police and Nigeria DHQ know that Biafra restoration project, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, cannot be moved or deterred by any threats or killing of unarmed innocent civilian populations.

    “We also want to let them understand that they don’t have the power to declare the peaceful and nonviolent IPOB a terrorist organisation.

    “It is unfortunate that the Nigerian police and DHQ cannot differentiate between freedom fighting and terrorism yet most of them claim they are graduates.”

    “Every right thinking person must continue to ask South East governors why they allowed envy and jealousy to overwhelm them to the point of inviting an entirely foreign army full of Hausa Fulani men to come to our land to kill us because they lost the masses to IPOB”

    “The ranting of some of the cowardly governors of South East zone, especially Willie Obiano and Okezie Ikpeazu, to the effect that they will continue to kill innocent unarmed people fighting for their freedom in a peaceful manner but swore to protect the children of his slave masters in the North, is meaningless to us.”

    “IPOB is not in the habit of attacking anybody or group of persons and will never do anything to bring harm to non-indigenous Biafrans residing in Biafraland. We are civilised people and not as blood thirsty as the Arewa North.”

    “We will not fail to remind the Southeast governors that they have lost the battle with IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, especially Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

    “IPOB cannot and will not succumb to pressure resulting from intimidation, arrest and brutal murders going on now all over Abia, Anambra and Rivers states at the moment.

    “We have gone too far ahead to be bothered by the sound of bullets, bombs and fighter jets waiting to rain bombs on us. Nobody can stop the agitation for Biafra freedom at this point in time, only a referendum can do that.

    “We are putting our people and the entire world on notice that we are not relenting until this or any other Nigerian government and her cabals give us a date for referendum.”

    “Every family member of IPOB is advised to be patient because we are at the stage of last fight against the internal forces of darkness that have held us hostage for generations against our will.”

  • FG to take final decision on IPOB proscription – Army

    FG to take final decision on IPOB proscription – Army

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday said the Federal Government would take a final decision on the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the declaration of the organisation as a terrorist group.

    He said: “There are guidelines as provided in the Act on the Terrorism Act and I’m sure the relevant government agencies I’m talking about will take appropriate steps whether to arrest or whether to do any other actions and we will receive the appropriate directives from the authorities. “

    He also said the army was not under any form of political pressure on the position it took regarding the activities of the IPOB.

    Gen. Buratai said the military had the duty and constitutional responsibility to protect lives and properties in the face of internal and external threats to the territorial integrity of the country, stressing that its actions against IPOB were necessitated by the provisions of the constitution.

    He spoke to reporters after addressing Principal Staff Officers, Corps, Formations and Operations Commanders, Commandants of Nigerian Army and Corps Schools at the 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference 2017 of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at the Army Headquarters’ Officers Mess, Abuja.

    He said: “Training is a continuous exercise, apart from the obvious exercises that you see but there are lot of other exercises that…from different force of the Nigerian Army and even from skills. So it is not a new thing, we have been training, we have been exercising on a regular basis.

    “But once in a while we come and carry out a large-scale exercise to harmonise all the aspects of training that have been thought in training institutions and unit formations.

    “Since we came on board in 2015, we have been having series of exercises and we did same set of exercise in 2016 and we are repeating the same thing this year and you are aware of Habin Kunama II, the on-going Egwu Eke II in the South and very soon at the end of Operation Python Dance we’ll move into Crocodile Smile II which will take a lot.

    “This is just to reassure Nigerians, law-abiding citizens that the Nigerian Army and indeed other security agencies are really concerned with the safety and security of their lives and property. You are very much aware of the security challenges in the country.”

    On the proscription of IPOB, Gen. Buratai said: “You see, you said political pressure. You should understand the context by which the Nigerian Army is operating. Nigerian Army is part of the political consideration in the democratic system.

    “It is part of the democratic process. We are not receiving any pressure. We are given what the constitution has provided for us. Constitutionally, what our responsibilities are for us, so we are not under any pressure whatsoever.

    “Whatever anyone is saying, we will refer him back to the constitution. There are several provisions that give us those responsibilities and also to carry out such task as duly assigned by the government or by the constituted authority.”

    “Be rest assured that we don’t have any other role that is outside the constitution.”

    He said the Army would conduct more exercises to sharpen personnel skills and prepare them to tackle emerging security challenges in the country.

    Currently, exercise “Egwu Eke” – Python Dance II is underway in the five South East states – Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebony and Cross River in the South South.

    Gen. Buratai said: “I have given the necessary directives for officers to embark on mission specific training at home and overseas.

    “This is in addition to effort in strengthening and exploring own local institutions.

    “Commanders at all levels are to ensure that orientation cadres are conducted for young officers and soldiers posted to units in order to enshrine aspects of unit regimentation early in them.”

    He charged formation commanders in theatre of operations to imbibe the spirit of in-theatre training based on terrain and the changing “tactics of adversary”.

    Gen. Buratai noted that evolutionary and global security threats were being influenced by political, economic, social and technological factors.

    “Therefore, the need for regular improvement on the existing capacity of the Nigerian Army to be able to deal with present and future security threats is imperative.

    “To achieve this, it is paramount to carry out accurate threats assessment in the formulation of the nation’s security policies which would enhance the ability of the Nigerian Army to deal with these emerging internal security threats,” Gen. Buratai said.

     

  • ‘Southeast losing investment due to IPOB’

    ‘Southeast losing investment due to IPOB’

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State is alarmed over recent developments in the Southeast. In this interview with reporters in Abakaliki, the state capital, he says the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have scared many investors from the zone. IGOCHUKWU ANIOKE was there.

    AS the Southeast Governors’ Forum not going to reach out to Nnamdi Kanu to urge to return to table for dialogue, so that he would not radicalise IPOB members like the Boko Haram sect did in the Northeast?

    Our situation is different from that of the Northeast. But, if anybody believes that we will abandon those boys, it is not true. We will still be appealing to them come back to their leaders, and to let us sit down and discuss. Nnamdi Kanu somehow raised awareness in this restructuring. We must give it to him. We are not going to throw him away; we will still find a way; perhaps by appealing to the Federal Government for forgiveness. The word, IPOB, is not in agreement with me, because when you say the Indigenous People of Biafra, it has its own connotation. When you say indigenous, if you go to America you talk about the indigenous people of America and that is the Red Indies that founded America.

    There is no indigenous in this sense. It could be Igbo Youth Movement or association and so on and so forth. So, having proscribed that and their activities — of course the federal government says it’s a terror group — we cannot dialogue with them under that name again. They’re our brothers and sisters and it’s a question of getting them to a better level of understanding and partnership.

    Do you agree with former President Obasanjo that President Buhari should invite Kanu for a meeting?

    I can’t comment on what one of our much-respected leaders said. I don’t have opinion to share on this matter, but I say that on our own, Kanu remains our brother. We will wish them to rebrand; we wish them to come to understanding with the leaders of the Southeast. Let’s leave our today in peace and then it will be their turn to lead, so that we must create a future for them.

    Operation Python Dance is kicking off in Ebonyi today. What assurance do you have for the people of Ebonyi that it would not degenerate into a confrontation, as it did in Abia State?

    Well, there are two issues here. One is that we have appealed to Mr President to withdraw the soldiers in the Southeast region, at least for now, for tempers to cool. I am not the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. We can only appeal to Mr. President and we have already done this. It is his constitutional powers and rights. So, I cannot say for certain that Operation Python Dance will not start in Ebonyi State today. I don’t have such powers. But, if Mr. President views it that in his own opinion that he wants to heed to our appeal, that is good. But, specifically in Ebonyi State, we are appealing that everybody should be law abiding. There’s no nation inside a nation. Even if you want Biafra, you have to get it first; become a nation before you start putting up your flag, owning your own secret service and so on and so forth.

    So far, the members of Indigenous People of Biafra can still go to the Nigeria courts on their own; it means the sovereignty of Nigeria still stands and it’s binding on everybody, because everybody must submit to the law of Nigeria. That’s what I want to say. My appeal is that our youths should not do anything that will be against the law. That is my appeal.

    As for the army, if the Python Dance is to go on in Ebonyi State, the Acting Commander is here and I have instructed, as the Chief Security Officer of the state that it must be done within the rules of engagement; that Ebonyi people must not be harassed; there must not be undue stress on them. If they want to carry out operations anywhere, none of us here wants to be kidnapped; none of us wants to be attacked by the armed robbers. They must be given cooperation to do that. So, this is our measures to know that there is peace.

    Don’t you think the declaration of IPOB as a terror group will affect your efforts to attract investment to the Southeast region?

    There are things that you don’t have control over and so, you worry about the things you have control over and leave the rest that you don’t have control over. The activities of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB] in the Southeast have denied us a lot of investment already. So, it is very, very important that our people should know and understand that.

    No investor wants to come to a place that is under tension. It is an appeal. I don’t know the effect of that matter, but people are gifted differently and we have our duties to perform. I wasn’t consulted before that (declaration of IPOB as a terrorist a group) and shouldn’t be consulted. So, every coin has two sides. It has its merits and demerits. Let’s put the two before God to help us. He is the only one who makes all things beautiful.

    Is declaration of the IPOB a terrorist group in the interest of the Southeast?

    You see, the point is that it’s not about Southeast alone. What happens in the Southeast can have very serious consequences in the Northeast, Southwest and so on and so forth. What comes first in my mind and the mind of the Southeast governors is the life of every Nigerian. Anything beyond the life of every Nigerian is nonsense. Restructuring is secondary. Given the circumstance now, we are taking measures that will ensure that the lives of Nigerians are secured.

    The other day, the leadership of Igbos in the Northern states met with us. And they were saying that they don’t want Biafra. They want us to peacefully coexist. We all know that there are differences here and there, but we should sit down and discuss it. We should endanger their lives in the North. They came to report back to us. You can’t shave a man in his absence. You want us to have Biafra. I am an elected leader. You should discuss with me.

    You can have the mandate of the people. There are National Assembly members, the state Houses of Assembly members, local government chairmen, councillors and so on. We should say Ok. We are representing the people. So, there is no such mandate. Let us not agree on certain things because any of you can jump up tomorrow and say that you local government is marginalized and start your own kind of agitation. Such attitude must not be encouraged. So, whatever thing that must be done to secure the confidence of everybody living in the Southeast and its people outside is welcome. No life that is lost can be regained. And it is only the living that can be president, governor, ministers and so on. Let us secure our lives first and we sit down and discuss.

    Herdsmen are wreaking havoc in many parts of this country. We have not heard about any python dancing for them. They always have their way. But, in a peaceful environment like the Southeast, there is Operation Python Dance…

    You see, when you talk about the people and their feelings on Operation Python Dance, we asked the General Officer Commanding [GOC] this question. I don’t have the details, but the one I can remember is the Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta. They gave me another kind of dance that was done in Ondo State. He mentioned about not less than 10 that has happened. They just call it anything. It’s a way of just having a name to go and do operation. If the herdsmen are targeting only the Southeast, we wouldn’t have the problem in Zamfara, Benue and others. When you find yourself in a certain position, you’ll have to find a way of solving the problem.

    Is the Biafra agitation because of the herdsmen? The answer is no. The question I will leave to our people is: what is it that we really want? We have to define means of knowing what we want. Our people should go back to hard work and determination which we are known for. It is God that blesses people. God can decide to deposit a lot of gold in the Southeast. So, let’s go back to hard work.

    When people say that they want to have Biafra, I laugh. This is because if IPOB had ensured that there was no single kidnap in the Southeast; ensured that there was no single killing of people, armed robbery and all that, people can begin to say that these people can rule themselves. Look at the level of cultism, armed robbery in the Southeast. There are a lot of atrocities that is happening. It shows that we cannot even rule ourselves, if we are to become Biafra. Let us go back to hard work which Igbo people are known for. Our forefathers bequeathed hard work, honesty, commitment to our duties and all good virtues. Let us go back to them. God has given us wisdom. Let us explore it. Let us not be pushed into war by people who we think are sympathetic to our course and again we will be left in the blues. It has happened before. Let it not happen again. We are wiser and better now.

  • Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB will be worse than Boko Haram if not tackled – Coalition

    A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Transparency and Good Governance has warned that the Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be worse than Boko Haram if not urgently tackled.

    The coalition noted that before its proscription by the military and southeast governors, IPOB had exhibited all the characteristics of a terrorists group to the extent that it had become the metaphor for describing the southern equivalent of Boko Haram led by Abubakar Shekau.

    Speaking at a press conference in Abuja this morning , the National Coordinator of the Coalition, Patriot Sabo Ode recalled Kanu had declared ‘Biafra Republic’ same as Shekau declared an Islamic Caliphate; where he called Nigerians animals like Shekau called them infidels.

    He said, “Both men promised to deliver the heads of Nigerian Presidents to their declared enclaves; IPOB and Boko Haram adopted flags other than the green-white-green; they formed cabinets; they radicalised youths, they called for attacks on Nigeria and Nigerians; and they both declared the state and its military as their enemy.”

    Ode said the coalition had observed that some unrepentant members of IPOB have resorted to ramping up their campaign of fake news, which they have been using to brainwash residents in south-east.

    “The pseudo-online news portals they deploy for their propaganda have ramped up their farcical activities to an extent that they are now lying against foreign dignitaries in the hope that this would distract the Federal Government from its resolve to protect all Nigerians.

    “The latest of such attempt is an headline “EU Condemns and Cautions Nigerian Military, Reject the Declaration of IPOB as a Terrorist Organization”. In the poorly written story cooked up to justify the lying headline, the impression was created that the President of the European Union Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker was in support of a Terrorist organisation destroying Nigeria. Unfortunately for this fake news site, the slightest fact checking reveals no such statement exists in the database of if statements issued by the EU Commission or Juncker.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the most current news about Juncker and the EU is about him doing his best to prevent BREXIT, the break away of Great Britain from the EU even after Britons have voted in a referendum to leave the union. Our view is that it will take a supremely illiterate persons to attempt blackmailing Nigeria with fake news while using an organization and leader that favour more countries staying together to form a super nation.”

    Ode called on Nigerians not to be swayed by such lies and to take note of sites that circulate such fake news.

  • Biafra: South East Govs, Senators, others should resign to join Kanu – Agitators

    Biafra: South East Govs, Senators, others should resign to join Kanu – Agitators

    A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Monday vowed to resist attempt to drag the Niger Delta region into the secession agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but said it was time the Nigerian government allow the Igbos to have a country of their own in the interest of the nation’s nascent democracy.

    The group said Nigeria must not be allowed to go into another civil war, pointing out that the same antics currently being employed by the group was employed in 1966, when Igbos masterminded the Civil War and involved the South-South in Biafra map and major infrastructures were destroy in Niger Delta with over 15 million south south people killed.

    Related: South East Senators caucus back probe of Army/IPOB clash

    In a statement signed by leaders of the group, the group said it has reliable information that some top businessmen and politicians from South East zone are the sponsors of IPOB.

    Those who signed the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw

    (Bakassi Freedom Fighters) among others.

    Trending: ASUU suspends strike, directs lecturers to resume immediately

    They condemned calls by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo for the government to negotiate with the Nnamdi Kanu, saying it was surprised that the same man who ordered the destruction of Odi, in Bayelsa state would be talking about negotiation.

    They said: “we hereby call on the Nigerian government, international community and the general public to monitor the activities IPOB and her sponsors carefully as we shall resist any attempt to drag the Niger Delta region into the ill advised secession activities of IPOB.

    Any member of IPOB that causes mayhem in South East and want to hide in the Niger Delta region shall be severely dealt with. We are surprised that the South East Governors Forum could not call Nnamdi Kanu to order before things got worse as witnessed today. 

    “We call on the Nigerian government to follow due process and the rule of law in declaring a group a “terrorist organization” as the recent declaration of IPOB by the Nigerian Army as a terrorist organization is contrary to the tenets of our nascent democracy.

    “Rather the government should allow them to be on their own, stop funding the South Eastern states with the Niger Delta money, they should be on their own, generate their funds and pay their bills. It is high time Nigeria allow Igbos to be on their own to avoid another civil war.

    “We are appealing to the Nigerian government to allow Igbo to go and have their independence without the involvement of other zones since they are tire of being in Nigeria. Nigeria is not ready to go into another civil war. We therefore appeal to the government to allow Igbo to go and be on their own.

    All the serving Governors, Senators, House of Reps members, Ministers, Ambassadors from South East extraction should resign immediately and join Nnamdi Kanu to form Biafra government. Let peace reign in Nigeria. It was the agitation of Biafra that brought the last Civil war in Nigeria and we are not prepared for such. Reliable information at our disposal shows that some top businessmen and politicians from South East zone are the sponsors of IPOB.

    “We totally condemn the call by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the federal government should dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu. It is totally wrong that the man who destroyed Udi, Bayelsa state in Niger Delta can today talk about dialogue. During his tenure, Asari Dokubo and others were locked up for over one year without trial while he was busy siphoning Niger Delta money. Today he is talking about dialogue.

    “We condemn the IPOB attack and destruction of properties in Oyibo in Rivers State. We have warned these people severally that Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region is not and would not be part of Biafra. They rush to Rivers state to attack Hausa community in order to involve the Niger Delta territory in the ill advised secession agenda of IPOB.

    “It will be recalled that the same antics was employed in 1966, when they criminally masterminded the Civil War and involved the South-South in Biafra map and major infrastructures were destroy in Niger Delta and over 15 million of our people were executed. We want to warn IPOB and its sponsors to steer clear from Niger Delta region, we shall resist them with everything within our reach.”

  • Army did not declare IPOB terrorist organisation- Buratai

    Army did not declare IPOB terrorist organisation- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Monday evening stated that the Defence Headquarters did not declare the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB a terrorist organization in the country.

    Speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki, the Army Chief who argued that what the Defence Headquarters did was a pronouncement on IPOB added that the statement of the military gave room for the right steps to be taken on the matter.

    According to Buratai, the action of the Federal government concerning IPOB was right and that the military did not over step its bound towards the protection of lives and properties in the country.

    You have to get it very clear. First of all, what the Defence Headquarters did was to make pronouncement. It wasn’t a declaration per se. But this has given room for the right step to be taken. I think the government is doing the right thing.

    “It is not that we are overstepping our bounds. We are still within the limits. And I ensure you that what the military said was to set the ball rolling and to bring the awareness to the public that this is what this organization is all about. I’m happy that the government has done the right thing right now.”

    Related: Army declares IPOB a terrorist organisation

    General Tukur Buratai further assured the people of the Southeast that the Army will abide by the rule of law and rules of engagement in carrying out the Exercise Egwu Eke II which kicked off on Saturday in the region.

    Also during a courtesy to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, the Chief of Army Staff noted that the exercise was targeted at improving the security situation of the zone which according to him, was very strategic to the security of the country.

    According to him the exercise will help to bring about the much needed peace and security and also be used to train the Military in basic internal security.

    “They army have taken into cognizance the security of the people in deployment of it’s personnel for the operation”.

    He said the army in carrying out the operation will liaise and work with other security agencies in the region.

    “The army is very sensitive to the cultural norms of the people and will abide by all the rules of engagement and code of conduct that have been laid down which is quite in tandem with the Constitution,” he said.

    According to him, some of the activities of the exercise will include Patrols, indoor battle exercises, Civil-Military cooperation activities like medical outreach, sanitation, donation of books to schools etc.

    He therefore appealed for understanding as it is just an exercise to help improve security of lives and property within the zone.

    Governor Umahi promised that the people of the state will cooperate with the army throughout the duration of the exercise.

    He noted that the first edition of the operation last year was peaceful and successful and urged the military to carry out the exercise with high sense of discipline that the Nigerian Military is known for.

    He urged the Military to pay more attention to the state’s border with Cross River while carrying out the exercise which he said have been decimated by boundary clashes.

  • South East Senate caucus backs probe of army/IPOB clash

    South East Senate caucus backs probe of army/IPOB clash

    The South East caucus of the Senate on Wednesday threw its weight behind the call for the investigation of the crisis rocking the South East part of the country.

    Chairman of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, told reporters that the call for thorough investigation of the crisis made by Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was in order and in line with the thinking of the caucus.

    ” We support uninhibited investigation of the crisis, we are line with what the Senate President said” Abaribe said.

    Abaribe added that thorough probe of the crisis would expose and streamline issue for the good of the country.

  • Court remands 7 IPOB members in prison custody

    Court remands 7 IPOB members in prison custody

     An Aba North Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Ogbonna Adiele on Monday ordered that seven suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who were arraigned before it in connection with the burning of the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters in Aba, Abia State should be remanded in Aba Prisons.

     The trial magistrate after listening to the argument of counsel to 1st, 2nd and 6th accused persons, Barrister Charles Onuchukwu challenging the powers of the court to assume jurisdiction over the matter which bothered on murder and terrorism ordered that the accused persons should be remanded at the Aba Prisons.

     The suspected IPOB members identified as Chinonso Ude (30years), Maduabuchi Echereodo (25years), Ugochukwu Ikechukwu (32years), Okechukwu Daniel (20years), Ifeanyi Sunday (33years), Okezie Jeremiah (26years), Chizuruoke Nwauzo (27years) were according to the charge sheets MAN/ 132C/2017 and MAN/133C/2017 arraigned on 12 count charges.

     The Police Prosecutor, Gabriel Nnamdi Ogbonna told the court that the accused persons were responsible for the death of one Assistant Superintendent of Police; Cyril Nwosu attached to Ariaria Police Division as a Station Officer when they allegedly attacked the police facility, unlawfully burning of exhibit vehicles, stealing of Police properties including unserviceable pump action guns, carting away of motorcycles, unlawful assembly, being members of proscribed IPOB, burning of police facility, being in possession and use of offensive weapons and explosives etc.

     The matter was adjourned to September 27 for compliance after the trial magistrate ordered the prosecutor to transfer the case file to the DPP (Department of Public Prosecution) for advice.

     In an interview the prosecutor, Ogbonna said “We came to court today 18/09/17 with about seven suspects now accused persons. The first accused person is Chinonso Udeh and 6 others. On charge number MAN 133/c/2017 Chinonso Udeh and others. The charge was mentioned, based on count 2 of the charge which concerns murder charge against one Assistant Inspector of Police Cyril Nwosu at Ariaria. The lawyers made objection on that case and said the charge that the court has no power to function on that matter. So after the argument, I told the court that the court has right to order and direct what should be done. Based on the argument of the suit, the court adjourned that matter to 27th of Sept which is a date for ruling. And that the charge number MAN 133/c/2017, the same Chinonso Udeh that was three count charges which bothers on terrorism and IPOB issue.”

     The Police on Saturday paraded the suspects at the Aba Area Command of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) before newsmen after they were arrested on Friday less than 48hrs after the burning of the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters.

  • DHQ right on IPOB’s declaration – Sagay

    DHQ right on IPOB’s declaration – Sagay

    The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) on Monday backed the military’s declaration of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as a “terrorist organisation.”

    Sagay said he agreed with the Defence Headquarters description of IPOB as a terror group although he was not sure if the military authorities complied with legal requirements before making the pronouncement.

    The PACAC chairman told our correspondent that IPOB has exhibited characteristics that justified the “terrorist organisation” tag.

    He said: “Whilst I’m not sure of the legal parameters of that declaration, in practice I agree. If you look at it, we were very lucky that this thing did not get out of hand.

    “They (IPOB) were coming in their thousands, establishing road blocks, bringing out Northerners – for what, I don’t know – to kill some of them? If that is allowed, then the country is finished. Then they burnt down a police station and killed a policeman.

    “For Christ sake, even if you want Biafra, you don’t have to be violent. If you look at the words that Kanu uses on the social media, how he has described our President and the rest of us as living in a zoo – abusive, violent, intemperate words – kill, kill, kill, all those in my view constitute in totally acts of terrorism in which they can push undiscerning youths into rage and violence which can be destructive.

    “You saw Moslems seeking protection in Port Harcourt. If you start killing Northerners and the North reacts, then we’ve had it.

    “I just thank God that the North is showing some maturity and some sense of restraint while this is being curbed. But we really need to curb IPOB otherwise they will turn this country into a tinderbox.”

    Sagay said he would not stop expressing his views on issues of national importance despite the Senate asking President Buhari to call him to order.

    When reminded that the All Progressives Congress (APC) also once cautioned him about his criticisms of the National Assembly, he described the party’s leadership as “a failure.”

    He said: “As for the leadership of the APC, I think they are the most unprincipled group of people. They are lily-livered, weak, and cannot run any organisation. The whole party is collapsing under them. They cannot control anybody.

    “In fact, they are now encouraging and accepting ‘rogue elephants,’ pampering people who are destroying the party, saying ‘let’s not annoy them too much,’ but they are destroying the APC house.

    “So, I think the APC leadership is weak, is too compromising and is certainly a failure as far as I’m concerned.”

    Sagay said the war against corruption cannot be won without committed judges.

    He accused some judges of “deliberately” sabotaging the crusade by obstructing justice.