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Tag: IPOB

  • IPOB is a band of thugs, we’ve cut them to size – FG declares

    The Federal Government has declared that the indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, is a band of thugs and that it has successfully cut them down to size.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this during a chat with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

    Mohammed said IPOB had metamorphosed into a band of thugs and had perpetrated several acts of violence which no reasonable government in the world could condone.

    He said, “Let me state clearly that it is within the rights of individuals or groups to seek self-determination. But this pursuit has to be non-violent. Where any group crosses the line by engaging in violence, it risks being cut to size and that’s exactly what has happened to IPOB.

    “I am not interested in the semantics or legality of troop’s deployment or the proscription of IPOB. All I know is that IPOB has engaged in terrorist activities such as: Setting up parallel military and paramilitary organisations, clashing with the national army and attempting to seize rifles from soldiers, using weapons such as machetes, molotov cocktails and sticks and mounting roadblocks to extort money from people, among others.

    “To those who have engaged in semantics or legality, I ask: Which country in the world will tolerate those activities I have listed above? Which national army will look the other way when it is being attacked by a band of thugs?”

  • FG obtains court order declaring IPOB activities acts of ‘terrorism’

    The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has obtained a court order proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    According to the court order, the activities of the group in any part of the country amounts to an act of terrorism.

    The order gotten from the Federal High Court in Abuja and signed September 20 also stated that any group or individual is restricted from engaging in any activity similar to that of the group.

    Recall that the South-East Governors’ forum had proscribed the group. The Nigerian Army also declared IPOB a terrorist organisation.

  • IPOB: Former Senate President, Ebute calls for UN Intervention

    Former President of the Nigeria Senate, Ameh Ebute, has called on the United Nations, UN, to commence the process of investigating the activities of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, lPOB’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and members of the organization.
    The ex-Senate Preaident in a letter to the UN dated September 18, 2017, said this is because IPOB has constituted itself into a terrorist organization and has continued to act in ways that terrorises the Nigerian State with intent to plunging the West African country into war.
    Senator Ebute pointed out to the world body which is currently sitting that the Nigerian Defence headquarters has issued a proclamation which cited IPOB’s perpetration of acts like the formation of a Biafra Secret Service (BSS); advanced stages in the formation of Biafra National Guard (BNG); militants possession/use of weapons; physical confrontations and attempts to snatch military weapons from the military troops on patrol and unauthorized blockage of public access roads and extortion of money from hapless members of the general public as acts of terror.
    He explained to the world body that the activities of IPOB has led to its tagging as a terrorists organization by Nigeria saying this is enough reason for the UN to act in order to identity and do the needful.
    He said, “It is therefore imperative for the UN through its organ of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to invoke the suitable laws to intervene in an apparently smoldering crisis in Nigeria. Permitting the progression of this crisis to the level of explosion would be devastating and definitely affect peace and security on the African continent as a whole and create humanitarian crisis of international dimension.
    ” The UN is implored to further initiate actions that would save Nigeria from this pending catastrophe arranged by IPOB in order to safeguard international peace and security. Our experiences indicate that some terrorists groups tormenting Nigeria today have confessed to been foreign-backed and funded. It underscores the need to give more attention to IPOB’s fierce aggression on Nigeria.”
    Ebute expressed concern over what he described as the exposure of traits of terrorism in IPOB which he said has been exposed through an intensive, painstaking security investigation and analysis of the activities of Kanu and his band of followers.
    He said the conclusions have been sourced and established from its relentlessly violent siege on Nigeria and promotion of hate campaigns as well as physical enforcement of compliance with illegal sit-at-home order through its militant wings.
    “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under President Muhammedu Buhari has been battling the scourge of terrorism and allied insurgencies in parts of Nigeria in the last two years. But as the insecurity situation in Nigeria is gradually being normalized, the country is again woken up by sounds of unpleasant drums of war chanted by emerging terrorists sects, garbed in ethnic separatist movements which have perfected plots to unleash more heinous atrocities on Nigeria.
    He said IPOB only operates in the guise of agitations for secession or actualization of a “republic of Biafra but is intent on terrorizing the Nigerian state

  • ‘Nnamdi Kanu may have been killed by invading soldiers’ says IPOB lawyer

    Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that his client was abducted by military operatives on September 14 and probably killed.

    Ejiofor made the allegation in a statement on Tuesday issued in reaction to insinuations that Kanu has gone into hiding.

    The statement reads in part: “I have no doubt whatsoever that stories making round that my Client has fled outside Nigeria, were planted to divert attention from their murderous raid on my client’s house.

    “I made last contact with my client few minutes into the bloody onslaught in his home on the 14th day of September 2017. Till date, I have not established further communication with him.

    “The soldiers must have made possible contact with him on this 14th day of September 2017, when they invaded his house on a bloody raid, and by virtue of which position, they should tell the world if he was caught by fire of bullets in the hit of the bloody onslaught or he was arrested alive.

    “In all probability, my client may have been killed by the invading soldiers who are now seeking ways to fool the world into believing that he has left the country. My request is that the military should produce my client wherever they kept him and stop diverting attention of the public,” Ejiofor said.

  • News Hour: First Bank sacks thousands of employees I TNGtv

  • IPOB: Your government responsible for agitations, not opposition – PDP blasts Lai Mohammed, APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Minister of Information and Culture not to drag it into the current agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and other separatist groups in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that minister on Sunday opposition parties of sponsoring agitations to discredit the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government.

    However, in a swift reaction, the opposition leader said the ruling party should accept responsibility for its failure in offering Nigerians the desired inclusive national government.

    The party said this in a press statement by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, its national publicity secretary.

    “We had advised not a few times that the APC should look inward and seek solutions to its self-induced challenges in government caused by its unpreparedness for governance. But since the party seem set for self-destruction, we shall not relent to expose its ineptitude to the Nigerian populace.

    “We noticed that the minister who is well known for his unbridled capacity for constant polarisation of the polity other than address matters…tried once again on Sunday to shift blames of the poor handling of the agitation by IPOB by the current government to an opposition that exists only in his imagination.

    “It is disheartening that rather than accept blame for its ineptitude, the APC government has continued to blame ‘enemies’ real or imaginary for their woes. How on earth will a serious-minded government blame opposition parties which they have conveniently labelled ‘looters’ for the activities of IPOB, but we take solace in the fact that the APC might actually know the looters as the party has clearly demonstrated its penchant for giving covers to people considered as corrupt?

    “The recent release of 48 confiscated houses as proceeds of crime back to a member of the APC who was standing trial for allegations of corruption readily comes to mind. Much as we will continue to harp on the one-sided corruption fight of this government, we urge the APC to look inwards in locating the looters with their ill-gotten wealth to sponsor separatist agitating against the government of the day.”

    The PDP said the ruling party was being traumatised by an intense power struggle within its ranks.

    “It is instructive to know that we are aware of the internal crisis rocking the amalgam of interest the APC and the struggle for power within the government as the noise of discontent keep rising on a daily basis from the party. Based on this its no news that APC has a problem unto itself which has affected its citizenry who daily gnash their teeth in regret for voting the APC into power in 2015.

    “We wish to put on record that agitation for the actualisation of the state of Biafra was a total silent voice while the PDP was in power because of the government of inclusiveness we provided for Nigeria’s who were made to experience what a genuine national government meant. The APC should, therefore, mould itself into a real national party, provide good leadership for the people and let the generality of Nigeria freestyle.”

    The PDP said ”it has condemned and will always condemn” separatist movements tailored towards balkanising the nation. It further said that the APC government’s policy is a catalyst for the IPOB problem and the party should do some ”soul-searching to correct the anomaly.”

    The party said the APC ”was its worst enemy.”

    The APC won the 2015 presidential election defeating the PDP which had held on to power since the recent Nigerian democratic sojourn began in 1999.

  • Army denies declaring IPOB as terrorist organization

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Monday said the Defence Headquarters, DHQ did not declare the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB a terrorist organization.

    Speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki, the Army Chief who argued that what the Defence Headquarters did was a pronouncement on IPOB added that the statement of the military gave room for the right steps to be taken on the matter.

    According to Buratai, the action of the Federal government concerning IPOB was right and that the military did not over step its bound towards the protection of lives and properties in the country.

    “It is not that we are overstepping our bounds. We are still within the limits. And I ensure you that what the military said was to set the ball rolling and to bring the awareness to the public that this is what this organization is all about. I’m happy that the government has done the right thing right now.”

    General Tukur Buratai further assured the people of the Southeast that the Army will abide by the rule of law and rules of engagement in carrying out the Exercise Egwu Eke II which kicked off on Saturday in the region.

    Also during a courtesy to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, the Chief of Army Staff noted that the exercise was targeted at improving the security situation of the zone which according to him, was very strategic to the security of the country.

    According to him the exercise will help to bring about the much needed peace and security and also be used to train the Military in basic internal security.

    “They army have taken into cognizance the security of the people in deployment of it’s personnel for the operation”.

    He said the army in carrying out the operation will liaise and work with other security agencies in the region.

    “The army is very sensitive to the cultural norms of the people and will abide by all the rules of engagement and code of conduct that have been laid down which is quite in tandem with the Constitution,” he said.

    According to him, some of the activities of the exercise will include Patrols, indoor battle exercises, Civil-Military cooperation activities like medical outreach, sanitation, donation of books to schools etc.

    He therefore appealed for understanding as it is just an exercise to help improve security of lives and property within the zone.

    Governor Umahi promised that the people of the state will cooperate with the army throughout the duration of the exercise.

    He noted that the first edition of the operation last year was peaceful and successful and urged the military to carry out the exercise with high sense of discipline that the Nigerian Military is known for.

    He urged the Military to pay more attention to the state’s border with Cross River while carrying out the exercise which he said have been decimated by boundary clashes.

     

  • Proscription: IPOB blasts FG, Army, S/E Govs, says ‘You can’t intimidate us’

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday said that no intimidation or harassment from any quarter will make it neglect its demand for independence from Nigeria.

    The group described its proscription by the Southeast governors and the declaration of it as a terrorist organisation by the Defence Headquarters as actions that could not stand.

    IPOB said a referendum to determine a sovereign state of Biafra would compensate the people.

    In a statement yesterday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, said it wondered why herdsmen that had several times caused havoc in various parts of the country had not been declared a terrorist organisation.

    IPOB said: “It is also on record that till date, no police commissioner or governor in the South East or South South has dared to rise up against the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world we know as Fulani herdsmen.

    “When Fulani herdsmen attacked Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia states, none of the police commissioners in these various states or any of these governors now supporting genocide against their people ever uttered a word in opposition.

    “82 Division of the Nigerian Army at Enugu, a mere 13 kilometers from where Fulani herdsmen armed with sophisticated weaponry attacked innocent villagers, did not rise up to aid Enugu people.

    “They did not storm the hideout or known settlements of Fulani herdsmen in Enugu. There was no stop and search of Fulani people. There were no arbitrary arrests of Fulani men. Fulani women were not carted off to be raped and dehumanised by Nigerian soldiers.

    “Fulani leaders and Arewa North never rose up in condemnation of Fulani herdsmen.

    “We must not stop to let the police and Nigeria DHQ know that Biafra restoration project, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, cannot be moved or deterred by any threats or killing of unarmed innocent civilian populations.

    “We also want to let them understand that they don’t have the power to declare the peaceful and nonviolent IPOB a terrorist organisation.

    “It is unfortunate that the Nigerian police and DHQ cannot differentiate between freedom fighting and terrorism yet most of them claim they are graduates.”

    “Every right thinking person must continue to ask South East governors why they allowed envy and jealousy to overwhelm them to the point of inviting an entirely foreign army full of Hausa Fulani men to come to our land to kill us because they lost the masses to IPOB”

    “The ranting of some of the cowardly governors of South East zone, especially Willie Obiano and Okezie Ikpeazu, to the effect that they will continue to kill innocent unarmed people fighting for their freedom in a peaceful manner but swore to protect the children of his slave masters in the North, is meaningless to us.”

    “IPOB is not in the habit of attacking anybody or group of persons and will never do anything to bring harm to non-indigenous Biafrans residing in Biafraland. We are civilised people and not as blood thirsty as the Arewa North.”

    “We will not fail to remind the Southeast governors that they have lost the battle with IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, especially Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

    “IPOB cannot and will not succumb to pressure resulting from intimidation, arrest and brutal murders going on now all over Abia, Anambra and Rivers states at the moment.

    “We have gone too far ahead to be bothered by the sound of bullets, bombs and fighter jets waiting to rain bombs on us. Nobody can stop the agitation for Biafra freedom at this point in time, only a referendum can do that.

    “We are putting our people and the entire world on notice that we are not relenting until this or any other Nigerian government and her cabals give us a date for referendum.”

    “Every family member of IPOB is advised to be patient because we are at the stage of last fight against the internal forces of darkness that have held us hostage for generations against our will.”

     

  • Army/IPOB clash: Normalcy returns to Aba as soldiers begin gradual withdrawal

    The Nigerian Army has commenced gradual withdrawal of its men stationed at various checkpoints in Aba after the recent clash with protesting members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Sunday told newsmen in Umuahia that the military on Operation Python Dance II had withdrawn from the state.

    However, investigations on Monday showed that only a few of the new military checkpoints mounted in the commercial city had been dismantled.

    The five military checkpoints mounted on the busy Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway had been reduced to three.

    Emeka Chukwuma, a tricycle operator and resident of the city, told said that the checkpoints were causing traffic gridlock.

    He appealed to Governor Ikpeazu to prevail on the military authority to remove the checkpoints to ease traffic.

    Meanwhile, activities are gradually returning to normal in Aba after the clashes between the military and IPOB members.

    Markets have re-opened after the five-day dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the city by the governor.

    Most of the shops at Ariaria International Market, New Market, Shopping Centre, Cemetery Markets have re-opened for business while customers were seen going about their businesses.

     

    (NAN)

  • Military, South-East Governors’ ban of IPOB unconstitutional – Saraki

    Military, South-East Governors’ ban of IPOB unconstitutional – Saraki

    The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Monday said the declaration by the Nigerian military that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is a terrorist organisation

    He also said the ban placed on the group’s activities by the South-East Governors did not follow due process.

    The Senate President who revealed this in a statement on Monday assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would wade into the crisis.

    Saraki, however, commended the military for maintaining peace in the region.

    He said, “I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra by Governors of the South-East states and the categorization of the group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and do not follow due process.

    “Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process.

    “This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a country that operate by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool.

    “Following the clash between the military and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), I hereby call for calm and restraint by all Nigerians so that we would all jointly find the right solution to the current problem rather than worsening the crisis.

    “Our brothers and sisters in the South-East, in particular, should continue to maintain peace and tranquillity and go about their lawful businesses. This crisis will not benefit anybody but would only expose innocent people to unwarranted danger,” the Senate President explained.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the South East Governors on Friday proscribed the activities of IPOB in the region, a little while after the Military also declared it (IPOB) a terrorist group.