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Tag: IPOB

  • IPOB replies Northern Group, says don’t start unending ethnic war

    The Indigenous People of Biafra  (IPOB) has warned the Coalition of Northern Groups against the killings of Igbo in the North saying they shouldn’t start an unending ethnic war in the country.

    IPOB  reacted  to threats by the CNG to retaliate against the alleged killings of their kinsmen in the South-East region of the country.

    “The North will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks on its people and interests, and will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted violation.

    “The North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action is not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind and those who tempt us should know that the North is no longer going to turn the other cheek”, the Spokesperson of CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, had said.

    In his reaction, Emma Powerful, the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, has denied that the organization had any connection in the killing of Fatima and her kids.

     “We have many things in our hands to respond to this group called CNG because they are non issue; we are expecting them to start killing in Nigeria and see our position.

    “We remain peaceful in our pursuit for Biafra freedom and if they could not call the criminals they brought in our land and thinking we can run for them, they are jokers, let them start this fight and see what the end will look like.

    “IPOB has nothing whatsoever to do with the death of a Hausa woman who was with her children on Sunday and we strongly condemn the dastard act by criminals sponsored by Northern politicians.

    “Before they threatened us, they should, first of all, remove those terrorists and bandits transferred into Obinze barracks in Owerri, Imo State where they operate from and they were brought to kill and murder and blame it on peaceful IPOB and ESN.

    “The ESN (Eastern Security Network) does not work like bandits and terrorists because we know what human blood represents. The killers of this woman and children were Fulani terrorists and jihadists they transferred into military barracks and want soldiers to protect them.

    “They are sharing them with ID cards to operate and the world must ask the military why they were giving these terrorist cards for identification.

    “The Army was giving them coverage, if these people kidnap, the military will provide them with a place they will keep their victims and bring someone who will receive ransom from victims relatives or family members.

    “IPOB and ESN did not kill anybody talk of Hausa woman with children, it’s is an abomination to kill women, children, school children, and pregnant women. We are not like them who plucked out babies from Igbo pregnant women in 1966 and 1970.

    “The type of killing going on in our land now is the type Fulani terrorists kill and type of beheading. There is no iota of truth in what they are saying that IPOB hates Hausas living in our territory. What IPOB is after are Fulani terrorists masquerading as herdsmen who are raping our mothers, wives, and sisters in our bushes and forests.”

  • Adegboruwa calls on Anambra gov to fish out killers of Fatima, four children

    Irked by the killing of a pregnant woman, Fatima, and her four children, by unknown gunmen in Anambra State, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has called on the governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, to fish out their killers, as a sacred duty.

     

    Adegboruwa. who made the call via a post on his Facebook on Wednesday, frowned that no reason has been given for the killing of Fatima, her unborn child and four children.

     

    The post reads: “Lady Fatima, an indigene of Adamawa State by birth and Anambra State by marriage, was gunned down by “unknown gunmen”, recently. Her four innocent children were also mowed down in this insensate act of terrorism, recklessly perpetrated without any justification whatsoever.

     

    “No reason has been given and none could have been proffered for this criminal act of brutality, extended even to toddlers. There should be no hiding place for the barbarians; so Governor Charles Soludo owes the nation the sacred duty to do all in his powers to fish out those who killed Lady Fatima and her children, in their prime. The concept of national unity will be a mirage if citizens do not feel safe in other locations different from their places of origin.

    Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, SAN

     

    “If the primitive and evil motive of this mindless act is to provoke rival ethnic war, I urge the people of Nigeria to resist this by continuously holding government accountable to the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities of guaranteeing the lives and security of the people.

     

    “My heartfelt condolences go to the family of Lady Fatima, the good people of Adamawa and Anambra States, believing that in no time, the perpetrators will be unveiled and made to face the wrath of the law, no matter their status or motive.”

    Meanwhile, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State, has described the killing of Fatima, her unborn child and four children by criminals in Anambra as bad for Nigeria’s peace and unity.

     

    In a statement by CAN Chairman in Kaduna, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the group urged the Nigerian government to go after Fatima’s murderers and all killers irrespective of their ethnic nationality.

     

    The statement reads, “We have read the story of the killing of Fatima, her unborn child, and four children in Anambra with sadness and disappointment about how evil activities have expanded in our country while good people are divided and silent. Life in our country has become so cheap with the raising of many evil criminal groups in every part of the country.

     

    “Killing of human beings is no longer a serious matter because the people have been divided by tribe, region, and religion which has made it impossible for us to collectively condemn the evil around us or fight the evil we are seeing as a united force.

     

    “CAN cannot keep quiet when evil is destroying the land. We all must know that when there is an injury to one then that injury is to all and evil only triumphs when good people keep quiet and look the other way.”

  • Kumuyi forced to cancel Aba crusade after IPOB’s warning

    Kumuyi forced to cancel Aba crusade after IPOB’s warning

    Pastor William Kumuyi, the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) has cancelled a global crusade scheduled to hold in Aba, Abia State between May 24 and 29.

    This was contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Chairman of the Aba Global Crusade, Pastor James Akpofure.

    “As there are currently some security challenges at the intended alpha location (Aba, Abia State, Nigeria), the Global Crusade Convener, Pastor (Dr) W.F. Kumuyi commiserates with our people in Abia State and will be praying along for God’s Divine Intervention,” the statement reads in part.

    Celebrating One Year of Global Evangelisation (Global Crusade with Kumuyi), Akpofure said Kumuyi would keep praying for God’s divine intervention in the insecurity bedevilling the South-East geopolitical zone.

    Recall that in a statement Thursday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had asked Kumuyi to consider the insecurity in the South East and not proceed with the crusade.

    “Let him (Kumuyi) and the organisers of the crusade make sure that nothing happens. The security of this region is not good because of political and criminal activities. We, therefore, advise him to stop this crusade for security reasons.

    “IPOB will not allow anyone to die because of this crusade scheduled to hold in Aba. The probability of criminals operating as unknown gunmen infiltrating the crusade is high and they will blame it on IPOB,” Powerful had said.

    Earlier, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had backed Kumuyi and urged IPOB to allow the holiness preacher to proceed with the crusade. However, the octogenarian heeded IPOB’s warning and cancelled the Aba crusade.

    The South-East zone has recorded massive killings and attacks by gunmen in the past one year. Hundreds of civilians, politicians and security agents have been gruesomely murdered by rampaging armed men parading themselves as ‘unknown gunmen’.

    Last week, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, also cancelled his crusades in Sokoto and Bauchi states following the brutal murder of a Christian student, Deborah Yakubu, for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed. The two states have been tension-soaked in the past few days, even as fresh violence erupted in Bauchi today over alleged blasphemy.

  • IPOB warns APC against holding rallies in Southeast region

    IPOB warns APC against holding rallies in Southeast region

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a warning to All Progressives Congress (APC) not to come to the Southeast region to hold their political rallies TheNewsGuru.com can exclusively confirm

    Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson made this known through a statement made available to pressmen

    Powerful specifically directed the warnings to Ikechi Emenike, who has showed interest in the Abia governorship race under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also:

    Four IPOB,ESN fighters eliminated by Army troops in Imo state

    “We want to advise Chief Ikechi Emenike and his APC people not to hold any political rally in Umuahia tomorrow, Friday, May 20, 2022, while they kept quiet and did nothing when Fulani bandits kidnapped passengers including female students along Okigwe/ Uturu road.

    “We cannot allow Emenike and his APC co-travellers to be dancing and singing at Chidiebere Park while our daughters are still in captivity.

    “It is hypocrisy for the political elite to show no concern about the plights of our people who they claim to be seeking their welfare. It is wickedness for Emenike and his co-travellers to keep mute and do nothing about the incessant abductions of Igbo sons and daughters by Fulani herdsmen around Uturu and its environs. Ikechi Emenike should keep away from Chidiebere Park Umuahia tomorrow.

    “We won’t allow APC and other political parties to continue to hold their rallies in our land while Fulani bandits operative with impunity Kidnapping and rapping our people, yet the politicians do nothing about it. All they care about is 2023. Enough is enough,” the statement reads.

  • Aba Crusade: CAN replies IPOB for warning pastor Kumuyi

    Aba Crusade: CAN replies IPOB for warning pastor Kumuyi

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to IPOB’s warning to the General Overseer of Deeper Life Pastor William Kumuyi to shelve his planned crusade in Abia state.

    CAN appealed to the Indigenous People of Biafra to allow the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, hold his crusade in Abia State.

    CAN’s spokesperson , Adebayo Oladeji, said Kumuyi’s coming to the state would be a blessing to the people of the state.

    He added that bloodshed and other forms of insecurity in the state and other South East require God’s intervention.

    Oladeji who reacted to IPOB’s warning to Pastor Kumuyi to shelve Deeper Life’s planned crusade in Abia State.

    It was gathered that Deeper Life Ministry had fixed a 6-day crusade for May 24,2022 to May 29 in Aba.

    According to Oladeji, “It is unfortunate that we have killings going on in the South East. If the political will is there, I believe the killings in the region would have ended.

    “We have a situation where you have IPOB declaring sit-at-home and despite the assurance by the government, people will decide to listen to IPOB. Is that what Nigeria should be? This is the situation we find ourselves.

    “If IPOB issued such a statement, it is just a reflection of what we are going through in the country. This situation is a precarious one. What CAN will say is that our politicians are in the rat race again. We should open our eyes and vote for people who can protect us.

    “There’s nothing we can do than to appeal to them (IPOB). We want IPOB to know that his coming to that part of the country is going to be a blessing and bring victory to the people of the state and the region at large.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had asked Kumuyi to take note of the security situation in the South East to cancel the planned crusade

    Powerful posited that if anything happens to anyone in the crusade the Deeper Life should be held responsible.

    According to Powerful , “Let him and the organizers of the crusade make sure that nothing happens. The security of this region is not good because of political and criminal activities. We, therefore, advise him to stop this crusade for security reasons.

    “IPOB will not allow anyone to die because of this crusade scheduled to hold in Aba. The probability of criminals operating as unknown gunmen infiltrating the crusade is high and they will blame it on IPOB.

    “We ask him to pray for an end to the insecurity in Biafra land if he can. We charge Christians and men of God in Biafra land to engage God in fervent prayers to expose all those behind the insecurity in our land.”

    He appealed to Deeper Life to pray against wicked leaders and saboteurs in the South-East and Nigeria, saying they are the real problems of the people.

    The statement read in part, “Let him use the opportunity to pray against powers holding the people captive in Nigeria and in his church in Lagos.

    “We equally want them to be united against injustice. We had expected them to demand justice for the innocent Deborah Yakubu burnt alive by Muslim fanatics in Sokoto State.
  • Okowa to construct N5.1bn Conference Centre in Asaba before leaving office

    Okowa to construct N5.1bn Conference Centre in Asaba before leaving office

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will construct a N5.1 billion International Conference Centre in the State Capital of Asaba before leaving office.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov. Okowa on Thursday in Asaba.

    Aniagwu disclosed that the Delta State Government had already approved the sum of N5.1 billion for the construction of the International Conference Centre in Asaba.

    He said that the construction of the International Conference Centre had become necessary as the state capital was developing into a mega city.

    According to Aniagwu, the state government intends to complete the project within 12 months and has also approved 35 percent mobilisation fees to the contractor to ensure prompt delivery of the project.

    “Although we have an event centre, it does not serve the purpose of an international conference centre where different break-out rooms and committee meetings are usually held, hence the need to have something of a world class standard just like the one in Abuja,” he said.

    The commissioner said the government had also approved the construction of a cottage hospital at Ovwor-Olomu at N423 million.

    He said the council also approved several roads projects which include the construction of 2.49km internal roads in Kokori and 2km Eku internal roads in Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    ”Others are 1.17km Obi Palace Road Ubulu-Uno, Aniocha South; 2km Anioge Street Idumesah, Ika North East and that of 1.8km internal roads in Burutu and 1.2km rigid pavement of Dr Mike Loyibo Street in Tuomo, Bomadi Local Government Area.

    “Also, Ellu internal roads in Isoko North; 1.2km internal road, Iwezue Lane Boji-Boji Agbor, Ika South; 5.2km Emede Internal Road, Isoko South; 3.9km Utagba-Uno-Ndemili road in Ndokwa West, 4.7km Phase two Obiaruku-Umuebu road in Ukwuani LGA.

    “And the 6.6km Flood control measures along Madonna Collage Road and 3.6km road,” Aniagwu said.

    He said that the council approved work on the mini sports arena in Koko, Warri North, and sum of N543 million as compensation for verified property owners at the defunct Abraka market in Asaba.

    The commissioner said that due to rising cost of materials, 10 projects were brought to the council for review.

    On the issue of IPOB’s plans to enforce sit-at-home in Asaba and environs, Aniagwu said that security agencies were on top of the matter and urged the people to go about their lawful duties without fear of intimidation.

    “Let me assure you that security agencies have been put on red alert to ensure that our people go about their business legally and lawfully.

    “Nobody is happy about what is happening in the South East because it is affecting the economy of the South East.

    ”So, we are appealing to those asking people to stay at home to look for other means of agitating for the release of their leader Nnamdi Kanu.” he said.

  • Cancel your planned crusade in Abia, IPOB warns pastor Kumuyi

    Cancel your planned crusade in Abia, IPOB warns pastor Kumuyi

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday, has warned the General Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church to cancel his scheduled crusade in Abia state TheNewsGuru.com can confirm.

    Emma Powerful the IPOB’s spokesman sounded a note of warning to Kumuyi, saying the region is not safe for crusade at the moment.

    He stressed that IPOB would not allow anyone to die, Powerful noted that any death incurred during the crusade would be blamed on the group.

    “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wishes to advise Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper life Ministry to take note of the security situation in the South East as he comes to Aba for his gospel crusade.

    ”Let him and the organisers of the crusade make sure that nothing happens. The security of this region is not good because of political and criminal activities; therefore we advise him to stop this crusade for security reasons.

    “IPOB will not allow anyone to die because of this crusade scheduled to hold in Aba. The operation of criminals operating as unknown gunmen infiltrating the events is high and they will blame it on IPOB.

    “We ask him to pray for an end to the insecurity in Biafra land if he can. We charge Christians and men of God in Biafra land to engage God in fervent prayers to expose all those behind the insecurity in our land.

    “Kumuyi should also pray against wicked Leaders and saboteurs in Biafra land and Nigeria. They are the real problems of the people. Let him use the opportunity to pray against the powers holding people captive in Nigeria in his church in Lagos.”

  • Sit At Home Order: Police assault BBC journalist in Abia state

    Sit At Home Order: Police assault BBC journalist in Abia state

    A BBC journalist covering the sit-at-home order by IPOB at the cemetry market in Aba, Abia state has been allegedly attacked and arrested by the police who were on patrol in their van.

    The incident happened on Wednesday morning during the sit at -home order by IPOB.

     

    The journalist, whose name wasn’t given was giving a live update during the BBC Igbo Facebook broadcast, when the police operatives who were on routine patrol attacked him.

    The police operatives accused the BBC journalist of capturing them on his gadget.

    The reporter, in the live broadcast, was providing updates on the sit-at-home order in the South-east, as well as the court proceedings of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    In a short clip posted on Facebook by the BBC Igbo shortly after the incident, heavily armed police officers were seen interrogating the journalist.

    “Hey! Hey!! Stop there!!! Why are you videoing us?” one of the police officers angrily spoke to the journalist.

    “I am not videoing you people. This is BBC live,” the journalist responded.

    “Open am well!” the officer ordered in Pidgin English, referring to his camera.

    “Hold-am,” a voice, believed to be that of another officer, said, implying the journalist should be held.

    The officers accused the journalist of being a spy who was pretending to be a journalist

     

    “Na lie. I am a journalist,” the BBC journalist insisted.

    The ensuing commotion in the clip and the abrupt stoppage of the broadcast suggested the journalist may have been manhandled by the officers.

    Although he was later arrested and released

    “The police officers are disturbing our reporter now in Aba,” said the programme anchor in the BBC studio.

    A few minutes later, the anchor, a female, announced that the operatives had released the reporter.

    “Our reporter’s two GSM phones were smashed today in Aba despite telling them that he is a BBC journalist,” she said

    “They have released him now,” the anchor announced.

    When contacted, the police spokesperson in Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna, denied that the officers brutalised the journalist.

    He, however, confirmed that the BBC journalist was arrested, but later released.

    “Somebody like that was arrested, but the issue of brutalisation, I don’t think there was anything like that. He was arrested and then introduced himself and he was allowed to go,” Mr Ogbonna said.

    The five states in the South-east have been observing a sit-at-home order declared by IPOB.

    The sit-at-home order continued on Wednesday in the region, following the resumption of Mr Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Security has deteriorated in the region in recent times, with gunmen frequently attacking security agencies and government facilities.

    The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks. But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.

    The separatist group is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south.

    NewsGuru.com reports that Nnamdi Kanu was today denied bail by the Federal High court, Abuja.

  • FG addresses rumoured plan to shutdown Facebook in Nigeria

    FG addresses rumoured plan to shutdown Facebook in Nigeria

    The Federal Government has addressed concerns on rumours making the rounds that it was planning to ban Facebook over the alleged inciting statements by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed addressed the concerns while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

    Recall that Mohammed had at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja on Tuesday, asked the social media platform to prevent IPOB, from using its platform to incite violence.

    The Minister said people had been killed because of the group’s activities.

    “I had a very fruitful meeting with Facebook yesterday (Tuesday). At that meeting, we expressed our displeasure that Facebook was becoming a power of choice for those who stay outside Nigeria, in particular, to incite violence, killings, burning of government properties, and killing of soldiers and police officers.

    “And that they should do more than what they are doing now in looking at the contents, which are unwholesome, which are being used on their platforms.

    “Incidentally, the BBC did a documentary on this particular issue and found out that some of them who call themselves social media warriors in England, France and other places, have in recent times, been using the Facebook platform to incite violence in Nigeria.

    “And we’ve all seen the real life impact of those war mongering, the young couple who are going to marry, soldiers who were gruesomely murdered.

    “Over this weekend in Anambra state police men were killed, military barracks were attacked. And we did warn Facebook to please do more than what they are doing now.

    “And I must say that their response was quite encouraging. They said they are going to do much more,” Mohammed said.

    Asked whether there is any plan to ban Facebook if the inciting violence continues, he said, “I think I gave you an answer. We had a very robust discussion with Facebook.

    “Facebook saw our point and they said they’re going to do much more than what they are doing. So if they do that, why would we ban them?

    “We don’t ban for banning sake. We ban or we only suspend operations if for any reason, lives are threatened and they do not listen. But this is of engagement”.

  • Hoodlums storm Ikwo LG Chairman’s house in Ebonyi, Kill four

    Hoodlums storm Ikwo LG Chairman’s house in Ebonyi, Kill four

    The country home of the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Steve Orogwu, was Tuesday morning raided and attacked and in the process killed three of his relatives.

    The unknown gunmen also killed the security guard and razed down the building belonging to the Orogwu’s

    Steve Orogwu wasn’t around when the attack took place but immediately reached out to the police,family and friends concerning the attack.

    A source close to Mr Orogwu said the hoodlums stormed the chairman’s home in Ekpaomaka late Tuesday night.

    Addressing pressmen ,Steve Orogwu confirmed the incident saying the hoodlums killed a security guard and his elder brother plus two of his sons.

    He said: “They attacked my family compound at Ikwo at night and killed my elder brother and two of his sons and a security guard.”

    He also said the gunmen set ablaze the family’s house in the compound.

    It was further learnt that the corpses of the victims have been taken to a mortuary in Abakaliki.

    The gunmen left no traces of the attack, forcing everyone to assume the persons behind the attack.

     

    Security in Southeast Nigeria, including Ebonyi, has deteriorated with attacks on security agencies, government and public facilities, and high profile individuals becoming almost a daily occurrence.

    Meanwhile, the attacks have been blamed on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking an independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the South-east and parts of the South-south of the country.

    The attacks increased following the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu , the IPOB leader, last year by the Nigerian government.

    The group has consistently denied responsibility for the attacks stating that it is a non-violent organization.

    Mr Kanu is being detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for treason.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Idemili Local Government Secretariat in Anambra state was burnt down after Governor Soludo visited IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in Prison