The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nnamdi Kanu

  • 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

     

     

  • IPOB a terror organisation – Defence Headquarters

    IPOB a terror organisation – Defence Headquarters

    The Defence Headquarters on Friday branded the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) as a “terror organisation’’ and urged parents to dissuade their wards from joining the group.

    In a statement  on Friday, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, restated the commitment of the armed forces to confront all security challenges facing the country.’

    He said military would ensure the  protection of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria.

    The spokesman said IPOB posed a security challenge to the country and had been metamorphosing from one stage to another.

    Enenche said: “After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organisation is non-violent is not true.

    “Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB.

    “In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that have been terrorising the general public include:

    “The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.

    “Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles, among others) on a military patrol on September 10, 2017

    “Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other Indigenous People of Biafra( IPOB ) actors at a check point on September 11, 2017 and also attempt to snatch their rifles.

    “Attack by  IPOB members on a military checkpoint on September 12, 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.’

    “From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wish to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation.”

  • Abia: Soldiers storm Kanu father’s compound

    Abia: Soldiers storm Kanu father’s compound

    Men of the Nigerian Army in Abia on Thursday night allegedly stormed the Afara Ukwu Umuahia countryhome of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu allegedly leaving several people injured in the cause of their patrol.

    When contacted by text message, leader of Egwueke II in Abia, Col. A.K Ibrahim told The Nation: “Our men went on patrol around there and were attacked. But am not on seat now to give details.. Much later pls Sir”.

    Details of the operation was still sketchy as at press time, but the IPOB leader’s young brother, Emmanuel said the soldiers numbering over 150 with some mobile policemen stormed their residence at Afara Ukwu at about 6.45pm.

    Speaking to Our Reporter after the incident, Emmanuel claimed that the soldiers who came with their trucks and APC condoned off their father’s palace before they started shooting sporadically.

    According to him the shooting lasted for over 45 minutes after wish they (Soldiers) forcefully broke into the compound and opened fire on whoever was on sight.

    Emmanuel said when the shooting was over, that 22 IPOB and family members including the family dog were dead.

    “You recall that Nnamdi kanu had told the world just yesterday that the Nigerian Government is plotting to kill him on September 15, but they struck a day before their planned date. But we thank God they did not succeed and will never succeed.”

    Emmanuel said after shooting and killing the IPOB members, the soldiers in company of the mobile policemen desecrated their father’s palace by ransacking the place but he did not say if the rampaging soldiers took away anything from the palace.

  • Photo news of Aba crisis

    Photo news of Aba crisis

    Following the current crisis in parts of Umuahia and Aba in Abia state betweenn the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and men of the Nigerian Army, pictures have emerged on the state of situation.

     

    IPOB - Army clash in Abia
    Photos of IPOB – Army clash in Aba
    IPOB - Army clash in Abia
    Photos from the IPOB – Army clash in Abia
    IPOB - Army clash in Abia
    Pictures from IPOB – Army crisis in Abia

    IPOB - Army clash in aba (1)
    Photos of IPOB – Army clash in aba (1)

     

     

  • Why Wike is silent on killing of Policemen, destruction – APC

    Why Wike is silent on killing of Policemen, destruction – APC

    …’Rivers gov is raising false alarm against security agencies’

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed why Governor Nyesom Wike is silent on the killing of two policemen, violence and destruction of valuable property in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers by protesting members of the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Rivers APC, at a news conference Thursday at the state secretariat of the party on Forces Avenue, old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, who was accompanied by the party’s state Secretary, Chief Emeka Beke, and other leaders of the party, declared that Wike was benefiting from the IPOB’s violence in Rivers and not up to the game of ensuring good governance.

    The main opposition party in Rivers (APC) also accused the state governor of raising false alarm against security agencies, in order to divert attention from what he was planning to do, having earlier sewed police uniform for thugs that were used by his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers, with some of the criminals caught in Bori-Ogoni.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by immediately declaring three-day dusk to dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today (Friday), in order to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, the cultists, kidnappers and other criminals, who recently surrendered their arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in the state government’s amnesty offer, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with the hungry and angry youths now returning to criminal activities with full force.

    Rivers governor, while addressing reporters at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, alleged that most of the kidnapping and armed robbery taking place in the state were perpetrated by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Wike also alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed indicated that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and deadly robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which in all cases turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500, 000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted all the advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s baits in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the army and police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killings and beheadings in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against the security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

    Rivers APC also called on Rivers people and Nigerians not to fall for the antics of Wike, stressing that they must remain vigilant.

    It admonished the various security agencies to refuse to be dismayed, demoralised or distracted by the antics of the Rivers governor, but must continue to work to secure the state from the grip of Wike’s killers, who it said were on rampage across Rivers 23 LGAs.

    The party said: “Rivers State APC considers the yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) accusation against the police, particularly against the SARS, as patently malevolent, mischievous and intended to mask the next phase of killings by Wike’s killers.

    “The police and other security agencies must remain focussed and have their eyes on the ball, to forestall worsening security situation in the state, a situation that is already getting out of hand.”

    Rivers APC also urged the peace-loving people of the state to continue to endure Wike’s bad governance till 2019, when they would have the opportunity of effecting the much-needed change through their votes, asking them to prepare to vote wisely for all the candidates of the main opposition party, in order to move forward.

     

  • Video: IPOB agitators begin stop, search for Northerners

    Video: IPOB agitators begin stop, search for Northerners

    Suspected members of the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday went on rampage for Northerners in South Eastern Nigeria.

    This is coming after tension started in different parts of Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State on Tuesday evening following a reported clash between soldiers and members of IPOB.

    As a result of the reported clash, unconfirmed reports have it that a number of people reportedly died in the process.

    Recall that trouble started when some members of IPOB who left Aba in the morning for Umuahia in solidarity for their leader, Nnamdi Kanu over the invasion of his house at Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, were alleged to have been stopped by soldiers at Isiala Ngwa junction along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Express were manhandled, some of them being forced to roll inside muddy water.

    The agitators were captured in a video by one of the commuters in a transporter vehicle arriving the South East.

    In the video, a number of trucks suspected to be driven by Northerners were set ablaze.

    The IPOB members were said to be on the way to Nnamdi Kanu’s home in Umuahia to receive IPOB Deputy Leader Uche Mefor, who reportedly arrived Umuahia from London.

    The source said when they heard the rumour of the killing of their members in Abia, they mobilized and began to protest.

    It was also reported that some IPOB members seized three rifles from policemen and burnt a police van at the junction (Oyigbo), forcing businesses and shop owners to lock up as motorists and commuters ran for dear lives.

    Spokesman of 6 Brigade Col. Aminu Iliyasu denied that soldiers were deployed in Obigbo to stop IPOB members from going to Umuahia, noting that they could only shoot if they were attacked.

    Col. Iliyasu said:”I am in Bayelsa now, but people have been calling, telling me that there is a situation in the Obigbo area. But I don’t know exactly where this is happening. One thing is certain, no soldier was deployed in Obigbo and asked to stop IPOB members from travelling to Umuahia.”

    The video was posted on social media by Kayode Ogundamisi

  • Kanu shelves meeting with South East leaders, alleges plans to kill him

    Kanu shelves meeting with South East leaders, alleges plans to kill him

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has decided to shelve the proposed meeting with the South East governors which scheduled to hold this Friday in Enugu alleging plans to assassinate him by security agencies.
    He said he holds leaders and elders in high esteem which made him to agree to meet with them before now at the Enugu state government house with some prominent leaders of the zone.
    Kanu’s stand was contained in statement he personally signed which reads, “Before now, prominent leaders and groups had insisted that I tow the line of peaceful dialogue and meet with the governors to find a lasting solution to our grievances. I conceded to that request which led to the 30th of August 2017 meeting with the South-East Governors Forum at the Government House in Enugu, in the company of the very eminent Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh”.
    “In view of the concerted effort by the oppressive Nigerian state to shatter the peace and tranquility of the South-East and the rest of Biafraland through military intimidation, it has become necessary for me to clarify why, regrettably, I may  not be able to attend Friday’s meeting with the South-East governors as earlier agreed, for three main reasons.
    “We are currently busy attending to our dead and injured from this latest round of unprovoked military onslaught against innocent civilians in our own land. All the casualties so far were shot by men of the Nigerian Army deployed to my house and those stationed along motor ways leading into Umuahia my hometown”.
    “I have been  reliably informed also, that a detachment of this same soldiers responsible for the murder of innocent unarmed IPOB family members have now been stationed near Enugu to ambush and assassinate me on my way to the meeting with the governors on Friday.
    “On that same Friday the 15th of September 2017, the leadership of IPOB through the instrumentality of the Directorate of State (DOS) headquartered in Germany, will be meeting to vote on the viability or otherwise of continuing our struggle in this non-violent manner. There is urgent need to begin the process of defending ourselves in the face of relentless murderous attacks from the Nigerian state.
    “It is impossible to engage in any meaningful conversation with the governors in the midst of so much bloodshed, abductions and military siege of our town and villages. Accordingly, we will not engage in any meeting with anybody until the atmosphere is conducive and peaceful enough to allow for such.
    “The siren-blaring military convoys and armoured vehicles occupying the entire region is not only designed to intimidate our people but also deliberately primed to scuttle the IPOB/South-East governors meeting of Friday 15th September.
    “I would like to use this opportunity to thank all men and women of good conscience from all over the world that have risen to condemn the barbaric slaughter of innocent Biafrans by the Nigerian military.
    “Above all, I salute the steadfastness, devotion and total commitment to freedom from eternal slavery by the great IPOB family in Biafraland. I assure you that I remain resolute and dedicated to our shared vision of freedom regardless of the cost and visionless antics of the mindless oppressor.
    “We have since crossed the Red Sea and arrived at the shores of the promised land. We have our trumpets ready to begin the great march around the evil walls of Jericho, and I assure you that in no distant time, the walls of Jericho will come crashing down.
    “We can still hear the cries of Pharaoh and his horsemen as they are swallowed up by the Red Sea, chariots and all. Victory is ours! Victory is assured!!
    Collaborators and agents of the oppressor are hereby advised to embark on self exile as there will be no hiding place for them”.
  •  Kanu, IPOB blamed over face-off with military 

     Kanu, IPOB blamed over face-off with military 

    Following the recent face-off between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Nigerian military in Abia State, the South East Renewal Group (SERG) has blamed Nnamdi Kanu as the root cause of the tension in the region.

    The development has forced the state government to declare three days of curfew across the state.

    Reacting to the incident, SERG called on Igbo leaders of thought not to tarry further in doing the needful to arrest the impending war.

    Speaking with newsmen Wednesday  in Abuja, Charles Mbani, National President of the group lamented that from his discovery, the IPOB youths have been brainwashed into seeing the army as the enemy.

    According to Mbani, “You must have, like other Nigerians, watched recent events in Igboland with a sense of foreboding, concern and utmost dread. Images emerging from the southeast, our homeland, are as troubling as they are worrisome with the most recent being those of youths attacking military detachment with all manners of crude weapons including catapults, cudgels, machetes, sticks and others.

    “These youths are being put up to this mischief after being brainwashed by the so called Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which is now militarizing them as its fighting force. These misguided youths have been deceived into thinking they are making the right sacrifice of protecting Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader whereas the only thing they sacrificing is their lives that they are throwing away on the altar of ignorance.

    “The soldiers attacked by these uncouth elements are the ones taking part in Egwu Eke II (Operation Python Dance II), which we find most ridiculous considering that the same operation last year ensured that kidnappers and armed robbers that were desecrating our land were curtailed to a point where Igbos enjoyed peaceful 2016 Yuletide. We are therefore wondering if there is a nexus between IPOB and the crimes being eradicated by the military for its youths to become virulent on the scale being witnessed.”

    Speaking further, the SERG leader condemned the confrontation with the military in the strongest terms as irresponsible, barbaric and having no place in a pluralistic country like Nigeria.

    He added, “We urge other well-meaning elders of our land to join in condemning the incidents. The unnecessary attempt to provoke the military into using stick to address the Biafra issue would be catastrophic and those who love the region should do so well to warn their children from setting the region ablaze.

    “May we emphasis that Igbo leaders of thought must tarry no further in doing the needful before it’s too late. The conspiracy of silence on the part of these leaders is what has made Nnamdi Kanu fill the resulting vacuum as a demagogic evil that is leading our youth population astray. This disposition of indifference was displayed as the hate speech championed by Kanu gained momentum until it got to a point where other ethnic groups in Nigeria basically developed a morbid collective disdain for the Igbo.

    “The hate speech has now crystalized and is the bedrock of the aggression being exhibited against the military. It nothing urgent is done the next phase in this ugly evolution could threaten our existence as a people.

    “We have interrogated the situation and discovered that the IPOB youths have been brainwashed into seeing the army as the enemy, which is most unfortunate since the person whom they think they are defending is their real enemy. Nnamdi Kanu holds dual citizenship and will escape to the United Kingdom once he has the opportunity to flee across the border. He is going to leave behind broken bodies and damaged youths that would have destroyed their lives in pursuit of what is meaningless relative to contemporary world reality.”

    The group further noted that some of those sponsoring the growing violence in south eastern Nigeria are those who lost money and political relevance having edged their bets in favour of former President Goodluck Jonathan being re-elected.

    “Interestingly, Jonathan has moved up but these loser remained locked in the past and think their only access to redemption is to send our youths on suicide mission. We counsel such persons to desist forthwith for the Igbo nation is larger than the mess of pottage that they are bitter over.

    “We have also noted the role of shameless politicians in Igboland that see the madness being advocated by Nnamdi Kanu as something to be milked for political capital. We have in the recent days seen such politicians rushing to tacitly endorse violence as the answer when other ethnic nationalities are pushing for restructuring. If violence is activated as being advocated the forget that our land would burn while other parts of the country continue with their life,” Mbani added.

     

  • Igbo professionals in diaspora lauds Army, urges probe of IPOB

    Igbo professionals in diaspora lauds Army, urges probe of IPOB

    The Southeast Professionals in Diaspora, have hailed the Nigerian military, particularly the Nigerian Army for taking the war against kidnapping, arm banditry and political secessionist agitations, being led by a small group of disgruntled politicians, to some states of the southeast, saying,  it will restore normalcy and peace,  to the region.

    The group, however, advised the military to ensure the protection, of peace loving innocent civilians, within the states where the operation is currently being carried out, and ensure that their rights are well protected, as enshrined in the laws.

    Spokesman of the group, Engr Dr Fidelis Nze KSM said they were impressed by the way troops of the Nigerian Army under the Operation Python Dance 11, were recording successes against the elements, who have turned the region,  to a theater of absurdities, going by the increasing rate of criminality,  and most worrisome,  the uncontrolled activities of the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB, which has continued to preach hate speeches,  against every other tribes, in the country.

    “It is evidently clear that the tide has changed for the better, especially in the last few days. The Nigerian military, are doing well.

    “We are very convinced, that by the time this military sweep up, of criminalities in our region is over,  it will give psychological, moral and economical relief to the generality of our people who have lived under the fear of terror, by these notorious elements.

    The group also called on Governors of the Southeast States, to cooperate with the military,  and other security agencies, towards ensuring that the peace,  that is being returned to the region, is sustained,  particularly, as the people,  approach the yuletide season.

    The group also use this medium to call on our security agencies especially the Nigerian Army to Institute a wider probe into the activities of the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB,  with the recent discovery of a large consignment of ammunition by the Nigerian Custom Service at the lagos port,  the timing of this discovery and the resurgent of Kanu led IPOB activities cannot be an ordinary coincident.

    The group also advised parents and guardians, to monitor their wards,  against being coerced into being part of any activities of groups,  who are hell bent on destabilizing the country.