TheNewsGuru

Tag: IPOB

  • Army/IPOB crisis: Ikpeazu extends curfew, postpones resumption of schools

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State on Friday extended the curfew imposed in the state capital till Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the dusk to dawn curfew was earlier scheduled to end on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the curfew was imposed following violence between members of the pro-Biafra separatist group, IPOB, and soldiers in the state.

    According to a statement by Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the state government has also postponed the resumption of schools in the state.

    Primary and secondary schools in the state, initially scheduled to resume on September 18 will now resume on September 25.

    Read the full statement below:

    Further extension of curfew in Aba

    Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, wishes to express his appreciation to Abians and residents, particularly those living and doing business at Aba, for their support and cooperation during this trying period.

    For a commercial city that is also the economic hub of the state and the South East region, the effect of the socio-economic disruption at Aba is too massive to measure at this time and the Government fully appreciates all the sacrifices made to ensure early restoration of normalcy.

    We also wish to commend the efforts of the men and women of the security services currently working round the clock to restore law and order and safeguard lives and properties of law-abiding citizens and residents.

    After a profound review of the security situation across the state, we are compelled to extend the current curfew imposed on Aba to enable us to consolidate the peace and normalcy that is gradually returning to the city.

    The government is, therefore, seeking your continuing support and understanding for the further extension of the dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew at Aba to Sunday 17th of September 2017.

    Furthermore, in order to ensure the safety of our children and wards who were billed to resume school on the 18th of September 2017, we hereby direct that the resumption be postponed till the 25th of September 2017 across the state.

    It is our hope that all the measures taken so far will help to rapidly restore full normalcy to all areas of the state.

  • IPOB is a terrorist organization, DHQ declares

    The Defence Headquarters has announced that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a “militant terrorist organisation’’ and therefore urged parents to dissuade their wards from joining the group.

    In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Director, Defence Information (DDI), therefore, restated the commitment of the Armed Forces to confront “all security challenges facing the country.’’

    Enenche also assured of the protection of lives and property in all parts of the country by the military.

    He said that the IPOB posed security challenge and had been metamorphosing from one stage to another.

    “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 roadblocks.

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

    “Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a checkpoint on Sept. 11, 2017 and also attempt to snatch their rifles.

    “Attack by IPOB members on a military checkpoint on Sept. 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,’’ the DDI said.

  • Army/IPOB clash: Abia gets new Police Commissioner

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Thursday approved the posting of Michael Ogbizi as the new Commissioner of Police in Abia State.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Ogbizi is taking over from Adeleye Oyebade who was less than two years on the seat.

    The handover took place at the command headquarters in Umuahia the state capital.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Oyebade’s removal might not be unconnected with the recent confrontations between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and the Nigerian Army.

     

  • Army/IPOB clash: IG briefs Osinbajo, rubbishes Wike’s allegations

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Thursday briefed Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on the crisis between the Nigeria Army and the Indigenous People of Biafra in Abia State and some parts of Rivers State.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the IG also berated the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for claiming that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad were armed robbers.

    Speaking to State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting which lasted almost an hour, the IG said the aim of the meeting was to ensure the security of all Nigerians.

    Asked to be specific about strategies he was adopting as regards events in the South-East, he said all critical stakeholders which include governors were being engaged to find a lasting peace.

    He said, “Obviously, one, is to deploy policemen across the country, two, we are in touch with the state government, trying to mobilize the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South-East.

    Repeated clashes between Nigerian soldiers and IPOB agitators led by Nnamdi Kanu, forced Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to declare a three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state.

    The police boss also described as nonsense, Wike’s allegation that the reported killing of a SARS officer during a foiled kidnap operation on Monday in the Oroazi area of the state was a confirmation that his men were involved in armed robbery and kidnapping.

    Idris said, “He (Wike) has the right to self expression. You know he is a governor.”

    Asked if he was not denying the allegation he replied, “Of course I have to deny that, that is nonsense. I have to deny that.

    “If a policeman was killed will you say he was involved in crime? I think you are mixing two different issues. A policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with this IPOB issue, is different from saying policemen are involved in crime. You cannot say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in crime.”

    When reminded that the governor alleged that the dead policeman was one of the three men that were suspected to be members of SARS who were attempting to kidnap someone and he died in the process, the IGP replied, “Who is the person they were attempting to kidnap?

    “I just want you to read between the lines. If you have leaders making sweeping allegations obviously it does not make sense.”

  • IPOB members killed Sergeant in Rivers, says police

    The Rivers State Police Command has alleged that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed one Sergeant Steven Daniel in the state.

    IPOB members and security operatives clashed in the state on yesterday.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Zaki told newsmen in Port Harcourt that Daniel was shot dead by IPOB members during the crisis in the Oyigbo Local Government Area.

    He said the assailants took away three arms and 68 rounds of live ammunition.

    He stated, “The same group, who have no justification for their action, also attacked a police van from Nonwa Police Training School en route from Port Harcourt International Airport, and burnt the van to ashes.

    “The driver of the van, Inspector Emaikwu Ochochi, was badly injured and is currently on admission in a hospital. The attackers also carted away one AK47 riffle with 60 rounds of live ammunition and one Barretta pistol with eight rounds of live ammunition.

    “At the end of their rampage, many vehicles were damaged and scores burnt.

    “However, the command was awaken with yet another attack today (Wednesday), at about 12.10am, where some members of IPOB regrouped and launched a surprise attack on mobile policemen stationed at Oyigbo junction, killing a police sergeant identified as Steven Daniel, attached to Mopol 19, injuring two others and burning down their patrol vehicle.”

    Zaki also alleged that one Sterling SMG rifle, belonging to the deceased officer, was taken away by the attackers, adding that they (attackers) were repelled by the police with nine of them arrested.

    He stated that 32 suspects have been arrested so far over the clash.

  • Army/IPOB clash:Nnamdi Kanu shuns meeting with South East governors, says ‘they want to assassinate me’

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said he won’t honour Friday’s meeting with South East Governors in Enugu because the security agencies are working in collaboration to assassinate him on that day.

    The IPOB leader revealed this in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday.

    The statement 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 these 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”.

  • Army/IPOB clash: Security chiefs relocate operations base to Aba, launch ‘operations python dance II’

    Heads of security agencies in Abia State have reportedly relocated the administrative headquarters of their agencies to Aba, the Commercial nerve of State temporarily.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the relocation order follows the recent unrest between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and operatives of the Nigerian Army.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Governor Ikpeazu on Tuesday announced a three-day curfew that would last between 6pm to 6am in Aba to douse the tension and also to avoid some persons from cashing into the incident to cause chaos in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the security heads on arriving the commercial city went into a closed door meeting that lasted for over two hours.

    Present at the meeting were the GOC 82Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar, Brigadier General Audu Ibrahim, Abia State Police Commissioner Adeleye Oyebade amongst others security chiefs.

    Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting which held inside the Aba Area Commander’s office, Police Commissioner stated that the essence of the meeting was for them to fashion out ways in ensuring that there was peace and tranquility in the commercial town.

    Oyebade while calling for caution amongst the populace disclosed that police in collaboration with other sister agencies were able to arrest some of the people who had wanted to cause a breach of peace in the state.

    He said that the suspects would be arraigned in court by Thursday and warned that the police would not fold its arms to watch unscrupulous elements cause mayhem in the state.

    He used the opportunity to warn that the force would not hesitate punish anyone that flouted the curfew as directed by the state government and urged people to go about their lawful business without fear of intimidation.

    He stated that the police would continue to make its presence felt at areas identified as flashpoints in Aba and other parts of the state to nip crime in the bud.

    “The present situation in Abia state calls for a lot of caution. Now I believe that the members of the public are already in tune with the position of the state government with regard to press release after the state security council meeting yesterday. Beyond that, I’ve relocated to Aba to take charge and make sure we are on top of the situation.

    “Let me put some records straight, the police have to work in tandem with other security agents and the military are very vital when it comes to issue of security. Yes, the internal security is the baby of the Nigerian police, but where they are having a special operation and whereas they’ve sensitized members of the public and it’s approved by high military command.

    “That operation Python Dance II is to complement the police efforts on ground. So I’m asking members of the public not to see it as if they’re trampling on their privacy or fundamental human rights. That’s why I’m saying this after I’ve gone round Aba and Umuahia this morning.

    “I want all Abians and everybody in Abia to go about their lawful businesses and those traveling should go about their travel, let those doing their businesses, go about doing their businesses.

    “Those that caused the mayhem yesterday, most of them have been arrested. We are going to take proper actions and arraignment in court tomorrow. Peace has been restored and we’ve just finishing having meeting with leaders of Arewa leaders in Umuahia and Aba. We’ve put security in place to protect everybody.

    “I want to assure everybody that we’ll put this behind us and move on. Abia has been one of the most peaceful states and we can’t allow some careless persons to truncate that.

    “One cannot use his own fundamental human rights to trample on others. We are here to protect life and property and make sure every Nigerian enjoys his or her fundamental human rights.”

  • Soldiers who assaulted journalists during clash with IPOB will be punished – Army

    Soldiers who assaulted journalists during clash with IPOB will be punished – Army

    The Nigerian Army has said soldiers who participated in the assault on journalists in Umuahia during a clash with members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, will face disciplinary actions for their “unfortunate” misconduct.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that at least two journalists were reportedly assaulted by troops in the Abia State capital in the afternoon. The soldiers accused the journalists of filming them as they rode by the state secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists.

    The journalists said the troops smashed their mobile phones and other electronic devices during the incident, which occurred when the soldiers were allegedly trying to barricade the residence of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The soldiers also clashed with supporters of Kanu as they attempted to place him on house arrest.

    The incident has sparked tension across the state, prompting Governor Okezie Ikpeaze to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state’s commercial town of Aba.

    In his reaction to the soldiers’ assault on journalists, Oyegoke Badamosi, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Army 14 Brigade in Ohafia, said preliminary investigation has revealed that soldiers indeed launched aggression against the reporters who were on their legitimate duties.

    “What happened was that while the soldiers on patrol near the Abia State NUJ Secretariat, they noticed some people filming them.

    “Unfortunately, they seized and damaged their recording devices; an iPad and 2 mobile phones. Preliminary investigation shows that the items belong to journalists on their legitimate duties.

    “Consequently, the Commander 14 Brigade and Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division waded into the matter which has since been resolved amicably.”

    Mr. Badamosi, a major, however, said some media outlets had exaggerated the incident.

    “The magnitude is not as was reported,” he said.

     

  • ‘Ongoing military operation against IPOB will only escalate tension…,’ South East senators warn FG

    Some Senators representing the Southeast have condemned the methods of the military operation, Operation Python Dance II, which was inaugurated a few days ago.

    In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, the chairman of the South-east Senate caucus said the Igbo senators viewed the military operation as one that could compromise their ongoing engagement with the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which the lawmakers suggested were exercising their constitutionally-backed rights.

    The ongoing operation was, according to the Army, intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities.

    Their statement read, “We had hoped that our ongoing engagement with the group would be given a chance but here we are with a hurried military action deep into a highly populated area with a high propensity for casualty, which occurrence would rather escalate the already tense situation.

    “It is more worrisome that military operation, ‘Python Dance II,’ restricted to the South-east in a peace time, has no doubt fouled the environment and sent a strong signal that the region is under siege, which should not be so in a democracy.

    “We, therefore, urge extreme caution and advise the military to de-escalate the situation and choose the best operational modus that will not only guaranty the safety of Nigerians but also enhance national unity.

    “Nigeria is not at war, people are only exercising their constitutional and universally guaranteed rights, so far they are carrying on in a manner that has never given room to violence which could warrant a wholesale military expedition.”

  • Army/IPOB clash: Ikpeazu declares three days curfew in Aba

    Sequel to recent attacks and counter attacks between the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and operatives of the Nigerian Army in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday declared a three days curfew to curtail the crisis.

    In a statement, the governor warned residents in the area to remain indoors from 6 pm to 6 am starting from Tuesday, September 12 until Thursday.

    See Full text of the statement:

    Abia State has for the past few days been the focus of security searchlight occasioned by the reported skirmish between some groups in the State, especially Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with men of the Nigerian Army.

    Government notes and has observed the frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara – Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now.

    Government is equally aware of the recent proclamation by the Nigerian Army of Operation Python Dance II within the South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria.

    The operation as declared by the Army is intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities.

    The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB on Sunday, 10th September, 2017, could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.

    The Abia State Government unequivocally states that Abia is a component State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subscribes to the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other extant laws.

    While the Government of Abia State recognizes the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives.

    The Abia State Government is committed to the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens and others residing and doing business within the geographical entity called Abia State.

    Abians and others living within Abia, are advised to remain law abiding and carry on their lawful business without fear, as efforts by Government will be made to reduce friction between the civil populace and military personnel in the State.

    Meanwhile, Aba residents are advised to observe a curfew from 6pm to 6am from today 12/09/2017 to 14/09/2017.

    Persons residing within the State are strongly advised to remain law abiding, while going about their lawful business without fear of molestation, and, not engage in any form of confrontation with military personnel or other security agents.

    The Government recognizes the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Movement for all Nigerians but objects to the influx of people into Abia State for purposes of unsettling the enduring peace in the State.

    Finally, Abia State will co-operate with security agencies to maintain the rule of law and order in the State.