Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has described the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu as being childish by his agitation for a sovereign republic in the South-East.
Okorocha, who is also Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, spoke when he led a delegation of the forum on a visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs), and victims of the recent Benue flood disaster in Benue State.
He said that no reasonable Igbo man is backing the agitation, saying: “I have always said that IPOB is an agitation group, but the captioning is bad when you talk of sovereignty within a sovereign nation and also talking of secession.
“Let me assure you that no Igbo person or man is in support of secession and people must see this as a childish act. We must stand up to address it before it becomes a national problem.
“As for us leaders in that area, it will be insane for anyone to think that the IPOB leader will ask us to follow him to seek secession.
“So, Nigerians must learn to address it specifically. If you are addressing IPOB you should be specific and not to address it as if it is an Ibo affair.”
Okorocha made personally donation of N10 million to the victims. [myad]
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer to the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has declared him missing after men of the Nigerian Army allegedly invaded his house today, Thursday, in Abia state.
In a statement, the lawyer said: “the situation is serious. My client’s whereabouts has remained unknown. His entire house has been shattered with bullets and missiles.
“The soldiers had just forcefully gained entrance into his house after shooting for about 40 minutes. His entrance gate was broken and forced open. Their mission is still unknown as every person seen in his house has surrendered, including his aged parents.
“We will avail the world with the pictures of these dastardly acts.”
Ejiofor called on supporters of Biafra to remain calm in the face of what he described as “unprovoked killings.”
“In the face of this unprovoked killings, torture, abduction and malicious destruction of property, I still appeal for calm from IPOB members. Just be assured that the entire world is watching. Do not take up arms; continue to conduct yourselves in the most civilized manner you are well known for.” [myad]
Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazurike, has alleged that leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) is a paid agent of destabilization which is why he and his group have been carrying out activities that negate the rule of engagement of the Biafra struggle.
Uwazurike, who spoke today, Thursday, in Owerri, capital of Imo state, said that the activities of the IPOB leader could only lead to an unplanned war which is against the Biafra struggle.
According to him, the interest of the Biafra movement is to secure the interest, lives and property of Igbo people and not to start another war, adding that Kanu’s major interest is to destroy the agenda of MASSOB.
The MASSOB leader said that the hallmark of any freedom fighter is to submit to being arrested, saying: “a real freedom fighter submits to arrest but Kanu has told his members to burn down the country if he is re-arrested, a true indication that he was paid to destabilize MASSOB.”
Uwazurike said that Federal Government had only succeeded in popularizing Kanu by not ignoring him and his antics, saying that if the government had ignored him, the situation would not have escalated.
The MASSOB leader who called on all Igbo leaders to condemn the activities of IPOB as it had no agenda, said that IPOB has no agenda.
“Nnamdi Kanu has no agenda and he is only thriving on the relevance given to him by the government. I recruited him and I know his capacities and he is not a leader.
“I have 25 steps towards actualising Biafra and Kanu does not have even one agenda,” he said.
Uwazurike condemned attacks on northerners over the ongoing military operations code- named, Operation Python Dance 2, in the South-East.
According to him, any attack on northerner could be counter-productive as many Igbos are resident in the north. [myad]
“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 favor. There will be no hiding place for you.”
These were the words of Abia state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu today, Thursday, when he addressed news men on the withdrawal of soldiers from the state beginning from tomorrow, Friday.
The governor, who did not mince word in warning IPOB members and others to stop street protests immediately, also cautioned against the spreading of falsehood
Governor Ikpeazu, who decried the sordid security situation in the state in the past few days, which led to the deployment of soldiers into the state ahead of the Operation Python dance 11, said: “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 location 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 Mohamaudu Buhari, to discuss possible ways of relaxing the Operation Python dance 11 in the state for now.
“Our attention has been drawn to ugly incidences 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.
“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 mobilizing 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 rumors 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 sympathizers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should henceforth desist from spreading false rumors capable of throwing our state into disorder. Those spreading such falsehood will be dealt with, according to the Law.”
The governor reminded the people of the state the need for full and total peace and security, saying that no meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere of violence and and anarchy.
He said that people in Aba should continue to 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 sure that lasting peace prevails in our dear state.” [myad]
The presidency has accused the former Nigerian minister of education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, of being petty, timid and sentimental in the way she attacked the deployment of soldiers to defend the integrity and oneness of Nigeria against the miscreants operating under the umbrella of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), with incendiary propaganda designed to cause civil unrest in the country.
The Presidency challenged Ezekwesili to explain to Nigerians whether the constitution of Nigeria, and international human rights law support the killing and molestation of innocent people by members of IPOB in the name of advocacy for self determination.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement today, Thursday, wondered why Ezekwesili “retreated to the background or lost her voice while IPOB supporters were violently molesting, harassing, attacking and jeopardizing the lives of indigenes and non-indigenes.”
Garba Shehu said: “her hypocritical and timid silence while Kanu’s IPOB supporters were engaged in lawlessness and recklessness in violation of his bail conditions is a burden on her credibility as a national crusader who should be courageous to condemn criminality. This art of using a raincoat while taking a bath is nothing short of self deceit.”
He reminded Ezekwesili that if the Buhari administration could take tough action against the extremist religious groups in the northern parts of the country to preserve national security, it is ridiculous to accuse the same President of sending soldiers to the Southeast because he hates the Igbos.
“The Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari respects all citizens and will ensure that they are safe and secure wherever they reside.”
Garba Shehu emphasised the need for Ezekwesili to rise above pettiness and sentiments, and to resist the temptation to play to the gallery when the country’s national security is under threat.
“Seeking to make political capital out of a chaotic situation is highly unbecoming of her and of the reputation she has worked hard to build over the years.
As a prominent influencer, Ezekwesili has a moral and patriotic duty not to give ammunition to any violent group that seems determined to pursue its separatist agitation through reckless and destructive methods.
“While it is convenient for the civil society activist to condemn the military and the government of President Buhari, Mrs. Ekekwesili didn’t find it appropriate, even once, to criticise the dangerous and violent propaganda being propagated by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Oby, as they call her, tweets on everything. Why was she silent on this one?”
According to him, the attacks on soldiers and policemen by IPOB supporters “was most irresponsible, indefensible and reckless” and that nobody in her position “should elevate mobs to the status of rock stars for the sake of playing to the gallery.”
The presidential media aide said that while the military are taking all precautions to observe the rules of engagement, “there is a deliberate sinister agenda by IPOB to provoke the soldiers into killing innocent people in retaliation so that Nnamdi Kanu would use the pictures of the victims for international propaganda by accusing the government of ethnic cleansing against the Igbos with the sole purpose of gaining sympathy.
“A president who has put put the nation’s cash cows, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Petroleum in the hands of the Igbo; who has given four out of five states in the subregion senior cabinet posts in his administration, including Foreign Affairs; and Industry, Trade and Investment, and is constructing the Second Niger bridge after years of deceit and false starts cannot be called a hater of the Igbo.”
The presidency warned that the politicization of the military exercise in the sub region, itself in line with similar exercises in the five other geopolitical regions, is inimical to the military readiness of the armed forces and the much-desired improved civilian-military relations in the country. [myad]
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has made it clear that Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers state was not making sense by making sweeping allegation that his men officers were parts of kidnapping gang and other crimes in his state. Speaking with news men today, Thursday, shortly after a close door meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Police boss said: “I just want you to read between the lines. If you have leaders making sweeping allegations obviously it does not make sense. I don’t want to comment on it.” He said that if a policeman was killed, would be sensible for the governor to say the officer was involved in crime. “I think you are mixing two different issues. A policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with this IPOB issue; it is different from saying the policemen are involved in crime. You cannot say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in crime.” Ibrahim Idris said that he had the meeting with the Vice President to brief him on the security situation in the country. On the crisis in the South East, Idris said that there is need to deploy policemen across the country and that he is in touch with the state governments and trying to mobilize the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South East. He made it clear that despite th security situation in the South East, there is no tension in Nigeria as a country. “I don’t think there is tension in the country. At least you are in Abuja; you have gone around. There is no tension.” [myad]
Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has alleged that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is fronting, through agitation for Biafra, to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari, even as it appealed to people of the North not to retaliate the clash between Hausa communities and Igbos in the South East against Igbos in the North. Spokesman of the Group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, who spoke to news men today, Thursday in Kano, stressed that the intent of IPOB is to make the country ungovernable for Buhari. The group emphasised its call on Northerners to resist the temptation of falling for reprisal attacks over the alleged attack on some Northerners in the South East. It asked Northerners in all parts of the country to remain calm and law-abiding and not be “dragged into taking laws into their hands. “As cultured people with a long history of tolerance and respect for constituted authorities, we call on Northerners to resist the temptation of carrying out reprisals and playing to the gallery,” the group said. “Northerners in line with their disciplined nature must refuse at this point to be dragged into taking the law in their hands through unnecessary and unproductive confrontation with members of any sectional, ethnic or religious group. “We must remain peacefully focused, mutually respectful, trusting and tolerant as we repose confidence in the ability and committed willingness of the Nigerian security agencies to handle the situation as well as protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian anywhere. “The agitations and disturbances that have been ongoing ceaselessly since the coming to power of the Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo administration in 2015, are aimed at rendering the country practically ungovernable, and ushering in of anarchy and instability, thereby occasioning a change of government by whatever means and tactics. “Targeting President Buhari’s administration and singling him for attacks and irrelevant treatment is aimed at causing inter-regional crisis possibly leading to general unrest. “Our stand on the current situation in Nigeria is that we will not fall to that instigation to allow a possibly foreigner or a mad man to plunge us into this unnecessary madness. “We, therefore, dedicate effort in creating the right conditions for peaceful negotiations with other peace-loving groups in every situation on the political dispensation that should emerge now or in the future.” [myad]
The Nigerian Army has announced that it is investigating the videos trending on social media and its officers subjecting some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to torture in Abia state. In a statement, the Headquarters of the 82 Division Nigerian Army said that the investigation is to ascertain the source and the actors in the video clip. “Our Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are quite clear and any officer or soldier that infringed on any of such directive if found guilty, will face full wrath of the military justice system. The statement, signed by the Deputy Director of the Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, said that the Army is however, aware of planned misinformation and propaganda arrangement by the secessionists. “They intend to churn out prerecorded video clips aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army, causing disaffection among the citizens of this country. They will be using bogus, manipulated and photo-shopped photographs as well as video clips. The public should be wary of such mischief, scrutinize and report same to the Nigerian Army or any of security agencies. “The Division wishes to reassure the public that it is determined to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in its area of operational responsibility, particularly the entire South East geo-political zone as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We do not condone any act of indiscipline in the conduct of our operations and training exercises. “Any claim of rights violation would be investigated and when confirmed, appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against the erring personnel.” [myad]
Eight states of Nigeria: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, Delta, Imo and Rivers have been placed on orange alert by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The Agency said that residents of these states which lie along the River Niger and its tributaries, should pray hard to avoid the catastrophy that may occur as a result of possible flood.
The Director General of the Agency, Engr. Mustapha Y. Maihaja, who gave these warnings in a statement today, Wednesday in Abuja, emphasized that the eight states are at very high risk of catastrophic flooding in coming days and weeks.
The statement, which emanated from the office of the head of media and public relations of the agency, Alhaji Sani Datti, said that an emergency warning from the Niger Basin Authority, also confirmed by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) revealed the rising water levels in Niger which has been at “Orange Alert level” consistently for the past seven days.
“The Orange Alert is the second most severe category in measurement. As such, those living in the mention states should prepare for any eventuality.”
The statement said that following this year’s seasonal rainfall forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in March 2017 and hydrological outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) of possible flood that will affect many States of the Federation, the Agency sent out alert warning to identified States and called them to scale-up their preparedness to avert imminent consequences.
NEMA said that as a result of that warning, already, 27 States have experienced very devastating flood disaster.
“As such, in the light of the above the Agency organized a flood coordination forum held today 13th September 2017 and is therefore calling on the general public in the aforementioned areas to move to higher grounds and the respective state governments to engage in sensitization, evacuation and preparation for possible flooding. “NEMA wishes to confirm its readiness in emergency response. Its Emergency Response Teams have been placed on high alert in the areas to coordinate all possible emergency response activities, and assist relevant stakeholders for effective evacuation of the communities.” [myad]
Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has insisted that there is no way he would be fighting corruption in Nigeria if he is corrupt.
He said: “if there is corruption in the EFCC expose it. If I am corrupt expose me. I can’t be corrupt and be fighting corruption.”
Ibrahim Magu, who spoke at a parley with social media personalities in Abuja today, Wednesday, said: “what we are saying is, let us do the right thing. We should insist the right thing should be done. We all have a duty to. We are all anointed by God to fight corruption.
The EFCC boss who said that the fight against corruption is succeeding, regretted that the industrial strikes by labour unions are caused by corruption.
“All these boys and girls crossing the Mediterranean to go to Europe is because of corruption.
“Every evil thing happening in Nigeria is caused by corruption, agitation, whatever, the root is corruption.
“I am telling you, the primary thing is political goodwill. If the leader is committed to fighting corruption, nothing can stop us.”
Magu is happy with the high level of support Muhammadu Buhari government has been giving to the Commission, adding: “I can assure you that we are almost there. We are succeeding. We have reached a level nobody can stop us. Nobody can stop us.” [myad]
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