Tag: IPOB

The Minority caucus in the House of Representatives has joined in the appeal for a political solution to end the continued incarceration of leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The caucus, comprising about 180 members, cut across seven political parties. Members unanimously adopted an appeal by the member representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Obinna Aguocha.

Aguocha, while addressing the caucus at a dinner to mark the end of the first legislative year, said the time has come to take a definitive position on the ongoing discourse surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, and to explore a political solution to the pressing issue.

Read Also: Joint taskforce neutralises two IPOB/ESN commanders in Imo, Abia raids

He emphasised the importance of a united stance within the minority caucus, adding that the resolution of Kanu’s case is crucial for national peace, stability, and unity.

Aguocha called for immediate and strategic engagement with relevant stakeholders to advocate for a peaceful and political resolution to the matter, which, according to him, has significant implications for the socio-political landscape of Nigeria in general and the Southeast in particular.

The appeal was unanimously adopted by the caucus, which also deliberated on the planned protest, insecurity, the dilapidated infrastructure and the economy.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disassociated itself from a lawsuit filed against former Anambra Governor, Willy Obiano, in the United States of America.

In a statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group denied authorizing any individual or group to institute a legal action against Obiano.

The statement described the lawsuit as a “purported court case” and accused those behind it of trying to tarnish IPOB’s image.

Read Also: IPOB condemns human trafficking of Igbo teenagers

IPOB emphasised it does not engage in unauthorized actions and warned those involved to withdraw the lawsuit or face consequences.

The group also demanded that Obiano provide the names of those behind the lawsuit, alleging that they may be seeking monetary compensation.

IPOB reiterated that it did not institute any legal action against Obiano and dissociated itself from the lawsuit.

“We wish to inform the public, the USA Government, and the USA Courts that IPOB did not institute any case against Chief Willy Obiano in any court in the USA,” the statement stated.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the trafficking of Igbo teenagers for prostitution, both locally and internationally.

 In a press statement on Saturday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, described the recent viral videos of trafficked teenage girls from the Eastern Region and Plateau State as “a disturbing development.

“We believe that the trafficking of innocent and ignorant teenage girls from Nigeria to Ghana, other African countries, Europe, and American countries for prostitution is an international cartel that needs the collaboration of Ghana security, Nigerian security, and other International agencies to tackle,” Powerful said.

IPOB called on Nigerians and Ghanaians to arrest and prosecute human traffickers, urging parents to instill good values in their children to avoid being trafficked or becoming human traffickers.

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 The group commended efforts by some Igbo leaders who worked with the Ghana Police to rescue some of the trafficked girls.

“Any hotel in Biafra Land that harbuors teenagers, Igbo girls from the age of 13 to 18 years as sex workers should be destroyed without mercy,” Powerful stated.

 “IPOB volunteers and ESN Operatives must be ready to assist in checking any hotel harbouring thirteen (13) to 15-year-old girls in their hotels, and those hotels should be brought down.”

IPOB emphasized that human trafficking is an “ugly monster” that must be stopped to protect the future of Igbo mothers and leaders.

 “All hands must be on deck to stop this ugly monster of trafficking under-aged girls for prostitution,” Powerful said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the trafficking of Igbo teenagers for prostitution locally and internationally. 

In a statement on Saturday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, described the recent viral videos of trafficked teenage girls from the Eastern Region and Plateau State as “a disturbing development.”

“We believe that the trafficking of innocent and ignorant teenage girls from Nigeria to Ghana, other African countries, Europe, and American countries for prostitution is an international cartel that needs the collaboration of Ghana Security, Nigerian Security, and other International Agencies to tackle,” Powerful said.

IPOB called on Nigerians and Ghanaians to arrest and prosecute human traffickers, urging parents to instill good values in their children to avoid being trafficked or becoming human traffickers.

 The group commended efforts by some Igbo leaders who worked with the Ghana Police to rescue some of the trafficked girls.

IPOB emphasised that human trafficking is an “ugly monster” that must be stopped to protect the future of Igbo mothers and leaders. 

“All hands must be on deck to stop this ugly monster of trafficking underaged girls for prostitution,” Powerful said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refuted allegations that Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives kidnapped and demanded a ransom of N20 million from Taraba indigenes.

Reacting to the allegations, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “We want to make it clear that ESN operatives do not kidnap nor demand ransom. Our mandate is to dislodge terrorists from Biafra territory, and we will not be deterred by blackmail.”

IPOB dismissed the claims of Taraba indigenes, questioning the activities of the alleged “fishermen” intercepted by ESN operatives in the night, carrying charms and weapons.

Read Also: Human rights group calls for neutrality of Police in Rivers, security interventions

  “What were they doing in the bushes at night? Which river or ocean were they fishing in?”

Powerful emphasized that ESN is a disciplined vigilante group focused on protecting Biafra land and its people.  “We are watching over Biafra land, and no amount of blackmail will stop us from ensuring the peace and security of our lives and properties.”

IPOB challenged the Taraba indigenes to provide evidence of their claims and accused them of sponsoring terrorism in Biafra land. “Biafrans and the world will be happy to identify those sponsoring terrorists to destabilize Biafra Land.”

The Spiritual Director of Canaanland Adoration Counselling Centre (E-Dey Work), Rev. Fr. Magnus Ebere, has urged the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to emulate the Catalans of Spain by prioritizing development and attracting investments in the Southeast.

“Catalans fought for independence, but when they couldn’t get it, they retreated and developed Cataly. Today, Cataly is the most developed region in Spain, and others are jealous of them,” Fr. Ebere said this during a sermon at the Adoration ground in Onicha in Ezinihitte Local Government Area,  Imo State.

He advised IPOB leaders to change tactics, as the sit-at-home directive has only caused hardships, destroyed businesses, and led to deaths in the region. Instead, he said they should declare May 30 a day of celebration, marking the resistance of their people against oppression.

“If IPOB adopts the Catalans’ approach, I’ll be at the forefront, and many will support them.

“No group fights for freedom by destroying themselves; they carry their struggle to those holding them down,” Fr. Ebere said.

Read Also: Sallah tragedy: 19 die, five injured in Kwara auto crash

He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to release Nnamdi Kanu, citing the release of others who committed more grievous crimes.

Fr. Ebere emphasized that development and investments in the Southeast have dwindled, while unemployment and hunger have risen.

He urged IPOB leaders to embrace sanity and ensure peace reigns in the region, warning that their enemies will exploit their internal conflicts.

Fr. Ebere said: “Your enemies will always be happy when you are killing yourselves and destroying your investments. Embrace peace, development, and investments, and I will be at the forefront of supporting you.”

Troops on operations in the southeast have arrested the killers of five soldiers during a raid of some hideouts of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighters in Abia State.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba announced this during a press briefing on Thursday, June, 13.

Some gunmen, on 30 May, attacked and killed five soldiers in Aba. The gunmen were said to be enforcing a sit-at-home order declared by IPOB across the South-east to mark the annual Biafra Day celebration.

The defence spokesperson said the intelligence-based operations conducted led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN camps across the South East region, including Igboro forest in Arochukwu, known for harbouring IPOB/ESN fighters.

Read Also: Appeal Court rejects Kanu’s move to challenge IPOB’s proscription

Gen. Buba said the IPOB fighters that were arrested have been assisting the military to locate other camps and individuals.

He said: “We have sustained the momentum against the terrorist and their cohorts which is crucial to military operations and it is the reason we take the fight to the enemy and allow them no respite.

“Our operations are based on focusing on our war efforts, mobilization, and air strikes on terrorists. The combination of these efforts has resulted in several achievements on the battlefield.”

Speaking on troops’ successes in the past week, the defence spokesperson said troops killed 197 terrorists and arrested 310 criminals.

Gen. Buba said troops also arrested 22 oil thieves and rescued 251 kidnap victims.

He said: “Furthermore, troops recovered 180 assorted weapons and 5,123 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 2 PKT guns, 73 AK47 rifles, and 17 locally fabricated guns among others.

“Others are 3,207 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,022 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 243 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo among others.”

The defence spokesperson said troops in the Niger Delta area seized 728,360 litres of stolen crude oil, 143,450 litres of illegally refined diesel, 1,100 litres of kerosene, and 18,750 litres of petrol.

“Troops also discovered and destroyed 29 dugout pits, 22 boats, and 26 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 66 cooking ovens, 8 vehicles, and 43 illegal refining sites among others,” he said.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected an application filed by the detained leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking the court’s leave to challenge the order that outlawed the group.

In a judgment, the Court of Appeal upheld the argument by lawyer to the Federal Government, Oyin Koleosho, that the application, which Kanu’s lawyer Alloy Ejimakor filed on behalf of the detainee, was inappropriate.

Kanu had, in the application, sought to be allowed to appeal, as an interested party, the January 18, 2018 ruling by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirming his earlier ex parte order of September 20, 2017, which proscribed IPOB and designated it a terrorist group.

Read Also; Police raid suspected IPOB/ESN camp, kill two

It was part of Kanu’s contention that since the Federal Government allegedly capitalised on the IPOB proscription order to charge him with belonging to and leading a terrorist group, he was qualified as an interested party who should be allowed to be part of a pending appeal filed by IPOB against the order proscribing it.

In the judgment delivered on May 30, a certified true copy (CTC) of which The Nation saw on June 12, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that it was inappropriate for Kanu to have filed his application directly at the court.

In the lead judgment, Justice Hamma Barka held that as an applicant seeking leave to appeal as an interested party, Kanu ought to first file his application before the Federal High Court, Abuja, whose decision he sought to appeal.