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Tag: IPOB

  • IPOB plans to shut down South-east, others May 30

    IPOB plans to shut down South-east, others May 30

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said it will shut down the
    South- east and other Igbo -speaking communities in the country on May 30, to celebrate its 2017 Biafra Day Remembrance.

    In a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group said the plan to shut down the region is to give respect to those that sacrificed their lives for the Biafra agitation.

    The statement partly reads: “30th May 2017 will be a public holiday of
    remembrance for the sacrifice our heroes and heroines made for the sacred land of Biafra, therefore we must honour them. There will be no movement throughout Biafraland and every area where a majority of Biafran population
    reside both Biafraland and wherever our people lives across the globe will
    come to a standstill.

    “Therefore, we expect every man, woman, child and business to observe this
    great annual event by staying at home and not engaging in any business
    activity. There will be no movement in Biafraland, both human and
    vehicular. Biafraland will be shut down completely as a mark of dignified
    respect to those that sacrificed their lives for us.

    “That is the least we can do to show them and Almighty God that this
    generation of IPOB and those to come will remain forever indebted to them
    that gave their lives to stop the elimination of the Biafran race from the
    face of the earth.”

  • Senators seek immediate release of Kanu, Dasuki

    Senators seek immediate release of Kanu, Dasuki

    A group of senators pushing for the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki may have concluded arrangements to invoke relevant Senate rules to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami to  effect  immediate release of the duo.
    Leader of the concerned senators, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, has already drawn the attention of the Senate to the continued detention Kanu and Dasuki despite court orders asking the Federal Government to free them.
    Senator Godswill Akpabio, had opposed Ohuabunwa’s motion to free Kanu and Dasuki, on the ground  that it was out of order for Ohuabunwa to introduce the motion especially when it had nothing to do with the debate on the appearance of Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali in uniform.
    Ohuabunwa asked the Senate to prevail on the Attorney General of the Federation to advice President Muhammadu Buhari to free both Kanu and Dasuki the same way he(Malami) advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation.
    The Abia North senator told journalists in Abuja that the continued detention of the IPOB leader and  the former NSA despite court orders asking the  Federal Government to free them was a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of the duo .
    He said that some concerned senators who he is privileged to lead have decided to join other Nigerian leaders in asking for the release of Kanu and Dasuki.
    Ohuabunwa said ” I still stand by my prayers last week on the floor of the Senate that the Attorney General of the Federation should advice the president to release Kanu and Dasuki the same way he advised the Customs boss to ignore Senate invitation on the ground that the matter was in court”
    He said that the continued detention of Kanu and Dasuki amounted to disobedience of court orders.
    Ohuabunwa said that he was already discussing the matter with some senators to formally draw the attention of the Senate to the long detention of the duo.
    “We should have respect for rule of law and I support the call for the immediate release of Kanu and Dasuki.
  • IPOB chief Kanu to face five charges

    IPOB chief Kanu to face five charges

    •Court fixes March 20 for trial

    The trial of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu is to begin on March 20.

    He will be tried along with three others— Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and an engineer,  David Nwawuisi.

    Justice Binta Murtala Nyako gave the defendants the opportunity to file another bail application but warned that they must be prepared for the trial.

    She struck out six of the charges. The remaining five were sustained

    Justice Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling, held that the six counts were not supported by the proof of evidence the prosecution submitted in court to support the charge it filed against Kanu and others.

    The ruling was on separate notices of objection filed by Kanu, Onwudiwe and Nwawuisi, challenging the validity of the six counts.

    Justice Nyako said the proof of evidence failed to disclose any prima facie case against the defendants in relation to the six counts.

    The six counts are 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 in which they were charged with managing unlawful organisation, intention to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) to be used against some Nigerian security agents and alleged improper importation of a radio transmitter.

    Justice Nyako was of the view that the allegation in Count 3 relating to “managing of unlawful society punishable under section 63 of the Criminal Code Act” could not be substantiated by the proof of evidence.

    She said the proof of evidence failed to show that IPOB was indeed an unlawful organisation, noting that the prosecution failed to show that IPOB had been proscribed or that it was not registered either in Nigeria or London.

    The judge said the alleged, “improper importation of goods contrary to section 47(1) (a) (i) of the Customs and Excise Management Act” levelled against Kanu in Count 5 did not disclose the elements of the alleged offence bordering on the importation of a Radio Transmitter known as TRAM 50L.

    The judge held that the allegation in Count 7 accusing Madubugwu of “managing of unlawful society punishable under section 63 of the Criminal Code Act” by accepting and keeping a container housing the radio transmitter which he allegedly knew was to be used for Radio Biafra, also did not disclose any element of the alleged crime.

    She said count 9 in which Onwudiwe and Nwawuisi were charged with “conspiracy to commit treasonble felony contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act” did not disclose the elements of the alleged crime.

    Justice Nyako said the count failed to disclose which of the acts of installation of the transmitter on the MTN mast site at Ogui Road, near St. Michale Church, Enugu State, and the agreement on the payment of N150,000 was the act that constituted the offence of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony.

    The judge also struck out Count 10, which accused Nwawuisi of engaging in the “management of unlawful society punishable under section 63 of the Criminal Code Act”.

    The prosecution had accused Nwawuisi of the offence for allegedly permitting the installation of Radio Biafra transmitter on the MTN mast for the purpose of propagating the objective of IPOB after being paid the sum of N150,000 by Onwudiwe.

    Justice Nyako said the count could not stand because the proof that the IPOB was an unlawful society was not provided in the proof.

    The judge also struck out Count 11, which accused Onwudiwe of “knowingly committing an act preparatory to an act of terrorism” by allegedly “carrying out research for the purpose of identifying and gathering of improvised explosive device-making materials to be used gainst Nigerian security operatives carrying out their lawful duties”.

    The prosecution alleged in the count that Onwudiwe had by the act, committed an offence of “terrorism contrary to section 2(1)(a) of Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2011 as amended in 2013”.

    The judge agreed with the defence that since the offence only had to do with an intention to commit a particular act, it was the magistrate court that had the jurisdiction to entertain such charge.

    The judge sustained Counts 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

    They are, in count 1, charged with “conspiracy to commit treasonable felony contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code act” by conspiring among themselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra “for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue states to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into Republic of Biafra”.

    In count 2, Kanu is charged with treasonable felony by broadcasting in London between 2014 and 2015, calling for the secession of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

    Count 4 accused Kanu of “publication of defamatory matter contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act” by referring to the then Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as “a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot, and an embodiment of evil” in a broadcast on Radio Biafra on April 28, 2015.

    Count 6 accused Kanu of “improper importation of goods contrary to section 47(2)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act” by allegedly concealing a radio transmitter in a container of used household items and declaring the transmitter as part of the used household items.

    Count 8 which accused Madubugwu of being in possession of one Emerald Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number TS 870 – 113 – 0046 and one Delta Magnum Pump Action Gun with serial number 501 as well as 41 cartridges/ammunition without lawful authority or licence, was also sustained.

    Madubugwu was said to been caught with the firearms at his house in Ubulusuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State in October 2015.

  • Trump rally: Army didn’t kill 11 IPOB members

    The 6 Division has described as false and malicious a statement credited to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that the Army killed 11 members of the group during a rally on January 20 in Port Harcourt.

    In a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Illyasu, the Army described as  baseless and unsubstantiated “allegation by Emma Powerful, who claims to be the Media and Publicity Secretary of a criminal gang in which he claimed that 11 of its members were killed by soldiers on January 20 in Port Harcourt during a solidarity rally to commemorate the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America”.

    Colonel Iliyasu said: “We, therefore, wish to warn Emma Powerful and other likeminded mischief makers that the Army will no longer tolerate such spurious and unfounded allegations that are injurious to its hard-earned image and reputation, its selfless and dedicated officers and soldiers by any group of criminals regardless of their appellation.”

    He said the choice of Port Harcourt as the epicentre of the protest has left much to be desired,  adding that in line with its constitutional mandate, troops of 29 Battalion were deployed with officers of other sister security agencies to prevent any loss of life or property with strict adherence to the established rules of engagement.

    “Despite all provocative attempts occasioned by the stoning of security agents and the smashing of commuters’  windscreens by the violent protesters, troops refused to be cajoled into the criminal gang’s trap to fire a single shot.

    “This is indicative of the troops’ total compliance with their rules of engagement. The violent protest was subsequently subdued with the use of tear gas and arrests were made by a sister security agency with no casualty recorded on either side,” Illiyasu said.

    He, however, described as “worrisome and disturbing for anyone to falsely accuse troops deployed in support of civil authority who conducted their duty professionally under the beaming lenses of cameras of allegedly killing 11 citizens of our great country.”

    He claimed that a well observed trend of this “criminal gang” is the malicious posting of old videos and pictures on social media platforms, which have no bearing on their claims to attract public sympathy and whip public sentiments.

    “To this end, 6 Division headquarters wishes to inform the public that the allegation is not true and should be dismissed as mere propaganda by the separatist group.

    “We wish to restate our total commitment to the protection of lives and properties within the Division’s area of responsibility,” the statement reads.

  • Army denies killing IPOB supporters in Rivers

    Army denies killing IPOB supporters in Rivers

    The Nigerian Army on Sunday denied that its troops shot 11 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to death during Jan. 20 solidarity rally in Port Harcourt.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the Army’s spokesman, 6 Division in Port Harcourt said that the army adhered strictly to rules of engagement in spite of provocation from some IPOB members.

    Thousands of youths believed to be IPOB supporters took to the street on Jan. 20 to commemorate the election of Donald Trump as 45th President of the United States of America.

    Iliyasu said that troops from its 29 Battalion were only deployed to assist other security agencies to prevent possible breakdown of law and order during the rally.

    “The attention of 6 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a baseless and unsubstantiated allegation by one Emma Powerful, who claimed that soldiers killed 11 IPOB members during Jan. 20 rally.

    “The allegation is false, malicious and existed in the figment of imagination of Mr Powerful, who claimed to be the Publicity Secretary of IPOB.

    “Despite all provocative attempt occasioned by the stoning of security agents and smashing of commuters’ windscreen, troops refused to be cajoled to fire a single shot.

    “In spite of the provocation, the violent protest was only subdued with the use of tear gas while arrests were made by a sister security agency with no casualty recorded on either side,” he said.

    Iliyasu said that pictures and videos that put on Social Media were old materials picked from IPOB archives.

    He said IPOB used the pictures and videos as propaganda to attract public sympathy and raise sentiment among citizens in its favour.

    The division spokesman said that the army would no longer tolerate any spurious and unfounded allegations aimed at injuring its image and reputation.

    “We wish to inform the public that the allegation is untrue and so, should be dismissed as mere propaganda by the separatist group.

    “We wish to restate our total commitment to the protection of lives and properties within the division’s area of responsibility.

    “To this end, Mr Powerful and other like-minded mischief makers are hereby warned that the Nigerian Army will no longer tolerate such allegations.”

    Iliyasu urged residents of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers to corporate with security agencies to enhance peace and socio-economic development of the region. (NAN)

  • IPOB, militants: Global rights group slams govt

    IPOB, militants: Global rights group slams govt

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised the Federal Government’s  handling of last year’s Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) protests and the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

    In its 687-page 2017 World Report, its 27th edition, HRW reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries.

    The Report, which reviews human rights situation in countries for 2016, was released yesterday. The international rights watchdog expressed “growing concerns about intolerance of dissent and a heavy-handed response to protests”, which it said dominated Nigeria’s human rights landscape in 2016.

    It alleged that “government rhetoric about security sector reform and improving accountability for rights abuses has yet to translate into concrete action”.

    The group said: “In the Southeast, police killed at least 40 pro-Biafra members of the separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) during protests and processions in February and May 2016. No security agent has been prosecuted for the killings.

    “In December 2015, soldiers killed 347 members of a Shia Muslim minority group, allegedly for blocking the army chief’s motorcade in Zaria, Kaduna State. Scores more had died when bans placed on the group by governments of Kaduna and four other northern states triggered days of mob and police violence in October and November 2016.

    “A resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, has been met by harsh sweeping security measures against communities perceived as harboring militants.

    “Soldiers allegedly destroyed homes and businesses in three Bayelsa State communities during a search for members of the militant Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) group.”

    A Nigerian researcher with the HRW, Ms Mausi Segun, said: “People shouldn’t be killed for taking part in peaceful protests and processions

    “The use of extreme force by government forces appears to be fueling the transformation of non-violent activities into bloody clashes.”

    On Boko Haram, the report said: “As the seven-year Boko Haram conflict wanes in intensity in the northeast, a near-catastrophic food shortage is affecting many of the 2.5 million displaced people. Severe restrictions on their movement have affected access to basic livelihoods, health, education, and protection from sexual abuse.

    “The now fractured Boko Haram holds hundreds of people, including 197 Chibok schoolgirls and more than 300 school children from Damasak, Borno State. Contrary to government claims, the conflict is not over. More than 550 civilians died in 2016 during suicide bomber attacks, and fighting across the region.”

    The report, however, gave kudos to Nigeria for showing “a commitment to justice by maintaining support for the International Criminal Court, and successfully co-sponsoring a UN resolution on internet rights.”

  • Court rules on Kanu’s motion February 10

    Court rules on Kanu’s motion February 10

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed February 10 for ruling on an application filed by pro- Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to quash the charges against him.

    Justice Binta Nyako chose the date after listening to arguments for and against the motion by lawyers to Kanu and the prosecution.

    Kanu, who is the National Coordinator of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and three of his associates –  Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi – are standing trial on an 11-count charge.

    They are charged with managing unlawful organisation, possession of firearms, felony, unlawful importation and terrorism.

    Arguing the application on Thursday, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, asked the court to quash the charges which are specifically directed against his client.

    He said: “The six counts preferred against the first defendant/applicant (Kanu) as shown in counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the substantive charge, and the proof of evidence attached thereto, have not disclosed any prima facie case against the first defendant/applicant, such as to warrant setting the substantive charge down for trial against the first defendant/applicant.”

    Ejiofor said the counts were “smokescreen charges, basically concocted to ensure that the first defendant/applicant is perpetually held in custody.”

  • IPOB: Court begins Kanu’s trial in secret

    IPOB: Court begins Kanu’s trial in secret

    Kanu is nobody, says Uwazuruike

    The founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike yesterday described Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a man he rehabilitated in London.
    Uwazuruike described the IPOB leader who is on trial for treason as “a nobody”, who he the Director of the Radio Biafra London, which, according to him, he established.
    The MASSOB leader denied that he is one of the witnesses lined up by the Federal Government to testify against Kanu and added: “Kanu was homeless when I met him in London, I gave him the first money to rent an apartment after he was thrown out by the Ghanaian woman he was living with”.
    “The struggle continues to be alive as long as I agree. Even if Nnamdi Kanu dies today, the struggle continues. I cannot travel to Abuja to give evidence against Kanu masked, if I want to do that, I will testify against him in an open Court but I can’t do that, what do I stand to gain?”
    Uwazuruike told reporters at his headquarters in Owerri, the Imo state capital, that the allegation by IPOB members that he would testify against Kanu is “idiotic, stupid and laughable”, adding that, “the modern Biafra is my product, I started it in 1999 and since that time, I have been on with the struggle. Our late leader, Odimegwu Ojukwu gave me the franchise and I am the leader of the Biafran struggle today any other person involved in the struggle is working on my behalf”.
    He added: “When I founded MASSOB in 1999 and started the struggle for Biafra, no Igbo man could summon the courage to mention Biafra, it was then considered as a taboo. Our people were cowards and could not mention Biafra until I started. When I started, nobody gave me a chance. I were through the hurdles alone. So, Nnamdi Kanu is not the first Igbo to be tried for treason, I also stood before the same Judge handling his case for the same charge of treason, so he should face his trial like a freedom fighter and if need be die for the cause”.
    A statement by IPOB signed by its Media and Publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, alleged that Uwazuruike and “some unscrupulous elements in Biafra land are working with the Nigerian government and the DSS to hide under the screen to testify against Nnamdi Kanu”.
    The statement explained that the “IPOB intelligence unit across the country uncovered plans and names of those to be used by the Federal Government to testify against our leader Nnamdi Kanu.
    “The Buhari government promised to allocate oil wells to Ralph Uwazuruike and his associates in crime against the leader of IPOB and Biafrans worldwide.
    “To buttress our points, Raphael Uwazuruike and co were in contact with the DSS headquarters in Owerri and Abuja to perfect this heinous crime against humanity but right now they are in Abuja to complement the whole arrangements to testify against the People of Biafra and our leader”.

    The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday began the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu and three others.
    The trial will be partially in secret.Those being tried with Kanu are: Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. They face treasonable felony and terrorism charges.
    Yesterday, they were shielded from the public in the courtroom.
    Justice Binta Nyako had on December 13, 2016, ruled that the identity of witnesses in the matter would be protected but at yesterday’s sitting, the judge and parties were all shielded from public view.
    There was also a heavy presence of security personnel within and around the court premises.
    This made it difficult for people, including reporters and relatives of the defendants to enter the court.
    The defence team, however, insisted that each of the defendants was entitled to have four relatives in court during proceedings.
    This led to a short adjournment to enable security operatives allow the defendants’ relatives into the courtroom.
    On resumption of proceedings, the defence counsel informed the court of its pending applications seeking to quash the charges against the four defendants.
    Counsel to Kanu, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, also informed the court of another application challenging the competence of the charge against the defendants.
    Ejiofor told the court that the proof of evidence did not support the charges against his client to warrant his continual detention.
    “The charge does not warrant his detention because there is no case against him,” he said.
    Ejiofor also told the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) were frustrating the efforts of counsel in gaining access to the defendants.
    He also alleged that relatives of the defendants were being continuously harassed and arrested each time they visited them in prison.
    “They (DSS) are clamping down on the innocent citizens. If anything should happen to me or my family, the DSS should be held responsible,” Ejiofor said.
    Nyako cautioned operatives of the DSS against sensationalising the case, saying that there was nothing special about the four defendants.
    According to her, this is a simple criminal case so I do not understand all the “gra-gra” around it which I see from my CCT camera.
    She also said the defendants should be unhand-cuffed as soon as they arrived the court premises as the defence team had complained that they were brought into court in handcuffs.
    “State operatives should threat the case like any other case. You cannot break the constitution and still expect to be guided by the constitution,” Nyako said.
    She asked the defence team to file a formal complaint of all the allegations they made and serve the court.
    The judge also asked them to quickly serve the court copies of their applications to allow expeditious hearing.
    She said that ruling on the applications would determine whether the case would be terminated or continued.
    Nyako adjourned the matter till Jan. 12 to hear the application challenging the competence of the charge as well as that seeking to quash the case.

  • Group flays IPOB over interference with litigation

    A pro-Biafra group, the Biafra Zionists Movement (BZM) led by Benjamin Onwuka, a lawyer, is asking the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop interfering with its matter at the Federal High Court, Owerri.

    Onwuka, the BZM leader who has been in incarceration alongside 12 other members since 2013 for attempting to seize the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) said members of IPOB ?were behind their continued incarceration after they were granted bail since October 19 last year.

    The BZM members were granted bail by Justice Louis Alagoa of the Federal High court Owerri last October but could not meet the bail conditions up till now.

    The court gave the condition that the sureties must be civil servants of not lower than grade level 14 or members of any state or National Assembly.

    He told The Nation from Owerri prisons that the IPOB members were insisting that their leader, Nnamdi Kanu must be released first before the BZM members.  He gave the names of those behind their predicament as Samuel Edeson, Emmanuel Uchegbu, Wilfred Oko and Sunday Okonkwo.

    He also asked them to stop interfering in their bail conditions as “our case is different from that of Nnamdi Kanu.”

  • Army: we’re ready for Yuletide, not IPOB

    Army: we’re ready for Yuletide, not IPOB

    The army says its mock exercises and other security demonstrations are to keep the Southeast safe during the Yuletide, not preparatory to hunting down Igbo secessionist groups. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Since the Army launched Operation Python Dance in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on November 28, with a directive that the exercise be reenacted in other formations across the Southeast, one question has stood out: is the Army about to crack down on the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)?

    No, said Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Enugu, Enugu State, Col. Sagir Musa; it is only a security strategy to keep the region safe during the festivities.

    At the 14 Brigade Headquarters in Ohafia, Abia State where our reporter witnessed the Python Dance launch, there were mock crisis situations which the army swiftly put under control, to demonstrate its readiness to contain crisis. Some members of the public also saw how the military receives and processes information before moving into a situation warranting intervention.

    The Abia launch was supervised by the Chief of Operations and Training, Army Defence Headquarters, Major General David D. Ahmadu.

    The Python Dance exercise, according to Col. Musa, will last one month, ending in January. Other security and para-military organisations in Abia also witnessed the exercise.

    Major General Ahmadu shed more light on the IPOB and MASSOB issue, clarifying that Operation Python Dance was designed to enforce peace, without necessarily targeting any secessionist groups.

    The army has come under heavy criticism by pro-Biafra groups, which claimed that the military was planning to declare a state of emergency in the Southeast and was using the Python Dance not only to check the activities of pro-Biafra agitators but also hunt down anyone who would take to the streets in solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Maj. General Ahmadu said, “We are not zeroing in on IPOB, MASSOB or any other group for that matter; it is for general internal security. Everybody needs peace in the region and that is what the exercise was meant to provide by checkmating the activities of hoodlums in the area and not necessarily targeting any group”.

    The Army Chief of Training and Operations was of the view that by involving its officers and men in internal security of the nation, the military had not in any way contravened any section of the constitution.

    He said the army would rather work with sister organisations and para-military agencies to ensure the success of ‘Operation Python Dance’ in the Southeast from December till January 2017.

    The Brigade commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia Brig-Gen Lawrence Fejokwu told journalists that the exercise, which he said was the first of its kind in the area, would see the military working with other security agencies to ensure that peace reigned in the area during the Christmas period.

    Fejokwu said if necessary, the army would assist the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in ensuring that the roads were made free for easy follow of traffic during the yuletide.

    The 14 Brigade Commanding Officer stated that since IPOB and MASSOB are not posing any security problem in the state, ‘Operation Python Dance’ was not specially targeted at them, stressing that kidnappers and those who involved in other crimes would have no hiding place.

    All the military and para-military organisations operating in the state, except the police attended the launching performed by Maj.-Gen Ahmadu and other top military brass including commander of 144 Battalion, Asa, Lt.-Col Umar Kasim Sidi.