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Tag: IPOB

  • South East governors forbid IPOB

    South East governors forbid IPOB

    The South East Governors’ Forum has announced the proscription of activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    Arising from its emergency meeting on Friday in Enugu, Chairman of the forum, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state requested the group and other of such groups to articulate their grievances and send to the forum.

    Umahi appealed to all governors in the zone to ensure compliance with the directive in their various states and for the Federal Government to withdraw the troops in the zone.

    Umahi said: “All activities of IPOB are, hereby, proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all national issues.

    “Such should be submitted to the committee of governors, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and National Assembly members from the South East zone through the chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum,” he said.

    The Ebonyi governor said that the forum believed in the unity and indivisibility of the country and reinforced their desire for the restructuring of the country.

    “We reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.

    “Accordingly, we appeal to President Muhammad Buhari to, please, withdraw the military in the South East zone, while police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order,” he said.

    Umahi said that the forum was in touch with their northern counterparts “who have assured us of the safety of our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits to reinforce confidence.

    “We wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the zone within this period,” he said.

    He said that appropriate actions would be taken against those found culpable.

    Umahi said that governors in the zone had taken adequate measures to protect the lives and property of indigenes and non-indigenes and urged northern governors to do same in their respective states.

    “We advise all residents of the zone to go about their normal businesses as governments of each state is committed to protecting everybody,“ he said.

    The governor said that all those invited for the meeting were present except the leadership of IPOB that sent in their apologies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the meeting were governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu while Imo was represented by the deputy governor.

    Other notable personalities that attended the meeting were the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar and the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

  • Photo News: AIG team at Ariaria Police station in Abia

    Photo News: AIG team at Ariaria Police station in Abia

     

     

  • Jos tension: Dambazau assures adequate security

    Jos tension: Dambazau assures adequate security

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government would provide adequate security to protect lives and property of citizens.

    Danbazau said this in Jos while on a fact finding mission to assess the tension in Jos caused by reactions to agitations for secession by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Tension and confusion on Thursday evening in Jos resulted in the death of two people as confirmed by Gov. Simon Lalong but the situation was quickly contained.

    The minister said that government had put in place adequate security measures to tackle any challenge that might rear its ugly head.

    He commended Gov. Lalong and security agencies for their prompt reaction to contain the situation without much damage.

    “I want to reiterate President Buhari’s assurances that all Nigerians have the right to stay wherever they want and government will protect their rights and privileges.

    “I want to assure you that come Oct. 1, nobody will infringe on anybody’s rights wherever they are staying.

    “Even those who issued the relocation statement have withdrawn it,” he said.

  • IPOB: IG deploys 500 mobile policemen

    IPOB: IG deploys 500 mobile policemen

    The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has deployed over 500 Police Mobile Force men to Aba to restore peace in the troubled city.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Operations, Taiwo Lakanu, disclosed this on Friday during a duty tour to Aba, at the Aba Police Area Command.

    He said that the I-G directed that peace should be restored to Abia, hence the deployment of the mobile policemen who had assumed duty in Aba.

    “You can see that we have emplaced security and that the whole place is quite and our men are on patrol.

    “For now we are still monitoring. So, for now there is no problem. We are on top of the situation. We are working in tandem with other agencies and they are cooperating with us,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that peace is gradually returning to the commercial city which was embroiled in a clash between soldiers and IPOB members in Aba.

    Some roadside shops along Aba-Owerri road, St Michael’s road and other streets, and those at Ariaria International Market and New Market opened on Friday.

  • IPOB wrong on Nigeria division- ex-don

    IPOB wrong on Nigeria division- ex-don

    A retired Professor from the University of Benin, Professor Henry Igbinokpogie Amadasu, has faulted the agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Prof. Amadasun said the IPOB lacked the right to demand that Nigeria must be broken to pieces because everybody is fighting for the unity of the country.

    Speaking to reporters as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday, Prof. Amadasun noted that the agitation by IPOB would have been unnecessary if the federal government had been able for provide the basic need for it citizen.

    Prof. Amadasun stated that IPOB mist carry out its agitation with caution without infringing on the fundamental right of others.

    He said, “It is true that people can always demand their right one way or the other but their must do it with caution. The way IPOB are going about it also infringed on the fundamental right of others.

    “If you look at the few people that do not belong to IPOB, they differ with their struggle and are condemning it but IPOB is trying to drag to entire South East out of the country and by so doing IPOB is balkanising the country. So for that reason I appeal to both IPOB and the federal government to see reason and trend softly for peace to reign.

    On the call for restructuring, Prof. Amadasun noted that restructuring is not the problem of Nigeria but good leadership that is alive to its responsibility.

    “If there is electricity, good road and other basic amenities all these agitation will not be there.

    “In America, nobody talk about restructuring, because the common man gets what they want. Do people in the market know what restructuring all about?

  • Politicians causing crisis in South East – Army

    Politicians causing crisis in South East – Army

    The Nigerian Army has accused some unnamed politicians of attempting to cause crisis between its personnel and people in the South East for their selfish interest.

    The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, stated this on Friday.

    Usman was reacting to the face-off between the army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia.

    He said: “It is so sad and unfortunate that a particular group of people, for political expediency and mischief, are trying to set the military and Nigerian society against each other.

    “It is sad and unfortunate.”

    The army spokesman, however, maintained that despite the face-off, the army would go ahead to conduct its “Operation Python Dance II,” due to commence on Friday.

    “It will commence on 15, September 2017. The troops have been conducting themselves professionally within the ambit of rules of engagement and code of conduct and where there are noted infractions, appropriate measures will be taken.’’

    Usman described the face-off between the army and members of IPOB in Abia as an isolated issue which was being blown out of proportion by some people.

    “These isolated incidences, instigated by miscreants and mischief makers, therefore, should not be taken as something that should jeopardise the military exercise going on in that place.

    “It is really sad and unfortunate that people will not find time to ask question about the essence and activities involved in respect of exercise Egwu Eke II before jumping into conclusion.

    “The exercise is taking part in the entire South East and Cross River, why should we have problem in one state – Abia.

    “There is no reported problem in Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu and Cross River States,” Usman added.

    The army spokesman called for understanding, saying there “is need for all of us to be more responsible, exercise understanding about the issues at hand, support and encourage the military to perform its legitimate duty.

    “The exercise we are having has been scheduled since last year – 2016. It is not targeted at any segment of the Nigerian society.

    “As a matter of fact, it was because of the encouraging feedback that we have about the conduct of exercise Python Dance I in 2016 that brought the idea of having another exercise.

    “And being a responsible organisation, people said Python Dance seems to be something awkward, so, why don’t you call it in the native language of those people so that they can understand it just like you have exercise Harbin Kunama.

    “We have had exercises in other parts of the country.

    “As soon as we are done with exercise Egwu Eke II, we are embarking on exercise Crocodile Smile II which is also a scheduled training exercise in the circle of the Nigerian army training year, 2017.

    “And this time around, beyond the South South Zone, it will be extended to the South West zone, involving 2 Division, 6 Division and 81 Division,’’he stated.

    He argued that Egwu Eke was not an operation but a training exercise intended to sharpen the skills  of those involved.

    NAN

  • Governors move to stem spread of IPOB clashes

    Governors move to stem spread of IPOB clashes

    Governors moved yesterday to stem the tide of violence sparked by the soldiers’ clash with separatists in  Abia State.

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Jos, the state capital, following fears of possible attacks in the city.

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu announced that soldiers would be withdrawn from Aba and Umuahia today – in response to pleas from well-meaning people.

    Many governors were said to have summoned Security Council meetings to stop the violence from spreading to their states.

    Southeast governors are meeting today on the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) challenge.

    The Sultan of Sokoto issued a statement, calling for peace and unity.

    Ikpeazu  warned hoodlums to stay away, following attacks on police stations. Detainees were said to have escaped at the Ariaria Police Divisional Headquarters building.

    According to Ikpeazu, the soldiers will be withdrawn following the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians.

    However, those at checkpoints before the new deployment will remain at their duty posts, the governor said.

    Ikpeazu is to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, who he will urge him to suspend the planned “operation Python Dance II” scheduled to begin next week in the Southeast. But he warned that the state would not entertain any form of agitation or protest on the streets.

    Ikpeazu told members and sympathisers of the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) to stop spreading false information.

    A police station in Aba set on fire by suspected IPOB members

    The curfew he imposed on the state will end today.

    Ikpeazu said: “The  security situation in the state in the past few days, which led to the deployment of soldiers into our state ahead of the Operation Python Dance 11, has become of great concern to both the government and the citizenry.

    “After several interventions, I want to inform you that by tomorrow morning, there will be withdrawal of solders from the streets at Aba and Umuahia, apart from the pre-existing military checkpoints at various locations in the state.

    “With the expected exit of soldiers from the streets, we must warn that we will not tolerate agitators and protesters taking over the streets for any reason at all.

    “I will also be meeting the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to discuss possible ways of relaxing the Operation Python Dance 11 in the state for now.

    “Our attention had been drawn to ugly incidents of attacks on  police stations and military posts at Aba and Umuahia and we hereby warn that we will no longer tolerate that, and all other acts that are capable of causing insecurity in the state.

    “We have also observed illegal acts of throwing petrol bombs and setting up of bonfires to obstruct free movements along some roads  by suspected miscreants and wish to warn that such acts should stop forthwith.

    “To mischief makers who want to use Abia as their base, let me announce to you that henceforth, Abia will be too hot for you to carry out your wicked acts as the government will work with security agents to ensure the protection of lives and properties in the state without fear or favour. There will be no hiding place for you.

    “At about  midnight  yesterday, we received security reports that hoodlums and miscreants, some of whom were allegedly brought into the state by unscrupulous individuals, were mobilising around Uratta Road at Aba with a view to converging at Ariaria International Market to burn it down. Their aim was obviously to take advantage of the security situation in the state to cripple the economy of the state and cause widespread suffering.

    “It was this group that originated the rumours of attacks and counter attacks around the area and also tried to create panic to force people out of their homes to enable them execute their evil intentions under the cover of orchestrated crises.

    “Thankfully, their plan was nipped in the bud by the combined team of soldiers and policemen that promptly moved to the area and later positioned around Ariaria market to protect the lives and properties of our people.

    “We have it on good authority that the same group of hoodlums attempted to burn down the police station at Ariaria market early today and security agents are currently on the hunt for them and those outside the state who are sponsoring their evil actions. Not even one of them will escape the full weight of the law.

    “Members and sympathisers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should henceforth desist from spreading false rumours capable of throwing our state into disorder. Those spreading such falsehood will be dealt with, according to the law.

    “My fellow Abians, it is in the interest of all our citizens and residents for full and total peace and security to return to our state immediately. No meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere of violence and anarchy.

    “Those at Aba are therefore advised to fully observe the current curfew in the city and ensure that they cooperate with security agents to maintain peace and order.

    “I swore to protect lives and properties of all Abians and residents and that I must do. I therefore call on all to support our efforts at making

  • Court remands 32 suspected IPOB men in prison

    Court remands 32 suspected IPOB men in prison

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday remanded 32 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in prison

    The suspects were arrested after they allegedly engaged in a bloody clash with security operatives during which a policeman was killed, his rifle taken away and three others injured.

    The Tuesday afternoon attack at a military checkpoint in Obehie, Abia State moved to Oyigbo Junction in Port Harcourt where the policeman was shot dead. Three other policemen were injured and two Police vans burnt. Three police weapons and 68 live ammunition were carted away, among others.

    The 32 suspects were arraigned for murder, armed robbery, unlawful assembly and treasonable felony, among others.

    The Magistrate declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case files be transmitted to the office of the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    Magistrate Amadi Amadi-Nna adjourned the matter indefinitely.

    Efforts by the accused lawyers to make the court turn down the case file for reassignment to a high court failed.

    The lawyers said the charge against their clients were trumped up, and urged that they be disregarded and the defendants be discharged.

    They lashed the police for charging them before a court that lacks the powers to prosecute.

    The prosecution, led by Enoch Gorge, a Superintendent of Police, objected to the submission and urged the court to use its discretion in the charge.

    George told reporters later: “We are aware that the court lacks jurisdiction in the matter but we are here on remand proceeding.

    “The defence counsel canvassed that the charge be struck out and the suspects discharged just like that but we objected on the grounds that the charges pressed on them are heavy.”

    He assured the public that the Police would ensure that the seven-day deadline provided for by section 304 of Administration of Criminal Justice Administration to transmit the case file to the DPP would be kept to ensure that justice was done to both the defendants and the society.

    The charge was not read out to the accused persons.

    The 23 suspects arrested over the Tuesday afternoon fracas were charged with treasonable Felony. The nine arrested for the murder of the policeman and on the second day were charged with murder, armed robbery, unlawful assembly among others.

  • IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    Inspector-General (IGP) of Police Ibrahim Idris has faulted the allegation by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the police are behind criminal activities in the state.

    Idris said Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    Idris explained that the display of a body purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the policeman was involved in the crime.

    He said: “That a policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime. You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime.”

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me”.

  • Biafra: South-South youths call for proscription of IPOB, want Kanu’s lawyer arrested

    As reactions continue to greet the deployment of military forces under the name, Operation Python Dance 11 (Egwu Eke Ebo) to south-eastern, youths from the south-south region have called for the immediate proscription of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB before it becomes too late.

    IPOB is a group under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, agitating for the rebirth of the defunct Republic of Biafra.

    The group, under the aegis of Youths of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers, while welcoming the launching of the military operation in the region, observed that if Kanu and his group are not urgently tamed, Nigeria might be witnessing another heavy bloodbath.

    Speaking at a press conference held in Calabar, the Cross River State Calital on Friday, National Co-ordinator of the youth group, Augustine Adeh, said the recent attacks on innocent Nigerians in Rivers State by hoodlums that identified as IPOB members was a clear indication that a military operation is needed to contain extreme tendencies set in motion by IPOB’s campaign of hatred which is spreading to some states in the South-south.

    According to the youth leader, the group strongly warned Kanu to be ready to face the consequences if his group continues to prevent soldiers from carrying out their legitimate functions in the region.

    Adeh said, “To us this launch of the operation is not unconnected with the success recorded by Operation Python Dance of 2016, which was widely credited for reducing crimes in the region before the Christmas festivities of that year.

    “It is for this reason that those of us in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers remain elated at the launch of Operation Python Dance II. The operation is well received in our states and it is not for nothing that it is so.

    “We are therefore concerned that Operation Python Dance II is at the risk of becoming the casualty of politics and criminality in the South-east . While the operation is well received in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers but being rejected only in some selected states of the south east, whose people’s interest it is meant to serve.

    “It is most disappointing that all the wrong reasons are being adduced for maligning this operation. These include allegations that the soldiers were deployed because of the secession bid of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Biafra Zionists Movement and other groups that are campaigning for the balkanization of Nigeria. There have also been the false claim that the military exercise is an invasion.
    “The attacks on innocent Nigerians in Rivers state by hoodlums that identified as IPOB members is proof that a military operation is needed to contain extreme tendencies set in motion by IPOB’s campaign of hatred. The attacks justify our call for IPOB’s criminality to be dealt with at its birthplace before it spread to other parts of the country same way that Boko Haram terrorism did.

    The youth group also lauded the Nigerian Army for its timely intervention towards tackling kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the region.

    Adeh added, “We are concerned that the Igbos, particularly those under the influence of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s hazy state of mind must have something up their sleeves to attract the vehement rejection of the military exercise to the extent of using it to incite nationwide crisis.

    “While we had anticipated that criminals would kick against the operation, we did not envisage that they will attempt to stand truth on its head by purveying fake news. Of particular note is Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who goofed by describing his client and IPOB as “innocent, unarmed and defenceless”. Such assertion is blasphemous to say the least. Such falsehood could only have been peddled by someone addicted to twisting facts for a living. Ejiofor manufactures lies and hate and churns them out at pace meant to unsettle the general public,” he added.

    He appealed to the Nigerian Army not to be swayed by the campaign of calumny and blackmail against its operation.

    “We similarly appeal to Nigerians in other states to please understand the severity of the issue under consideration. The IPOB fanatics are courting public sympathy, including staging attacks to provoke soldiers on their mission and it is a trick that well-meaning Nigerians must not fall for. In fact, we expect that anyone apprehended in connection with attacks on soldiers should be matched with existing Police crime database as they would be proven to be the same people behind the spate of kidnapping, armed robberies and drug dealing in the region.

    “We call on the police to immediately arrest and prosecute Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, for conspiracy to breach the peace through the misrepresentation of fact. The police should also heighten its state of alertness in other states of the federation to arrest any person or group of persons that try to disrupt the peace.”