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Tag: IPOB

  • We cannot armtwist FG to release Nnamdi Kanu – DSP Kalu

    We cannot armtwist FG to release Nnamdi Kanu – DSP Kalu

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, says the South-East must achieve peace and security before demanding the release of the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    The deputy speaker said this during an interactive session with newsmen in his Bende country home on Sunday.

    He spoke on how best the region could approach its demand for Kanu’s release from detention.

    According to him, the region could only realise its objective through peaceful negotiations and not by armtwisting the Federal Government.

    He said that although the leadership of the South-East had made several efforts for Kanu’s release, the effort of some amounted to playing to the gallery.

    Kalu countered the widely held belief in the South-East that once Kanu is released peace would automatically return to the region.

    “To get Kanu released is not about how much you talk about it in the pages of the newspapers or television, it needs strategic thinking and strategic steps to get it done.

    “Many thought that by armtwisting the Federal Government through sit-at-home every Monday, through violence and destruction that the Federal Government can immediately release Kanu.

    “You  can never armtwist the Federal Government, but you can dialogue,” Kalu said.

    He said that the threat to burn down the region, if the Federal Government refused to listen to its request, was equal to shooting oneself in the foot.

    “The houses you are shooting are in the South-East.

    “When you say, if you don’t release Kanu, the people will sit at home and not go to work, people are going to work in Lagos, Kano, Sokoto and other parts of the country.

    “So, who are you shooting? It’s like a man shooting his own leg and taking accolade for it, and this is the greatest level of folly,” he said.

    The deputy speaker also said it would amount to daring the Federal Government to say “its fire-for-fire and violence for violence.

    “So, critically thinking, the best approach is to reduce the violence in the region and create a platform for negotiation,” he said.

    Kalu further contended that the president had not committed any sin against the South-East.

    He said that the president, on the contrary, had shown love to the region “by giving us the No. Six citizen (deputy speakership), Chief of Naval Staff and Minister for Works”.

    He, therefore, said that what the South-East should do in the present circumstance was to join his advocacy for peace, through the Peace in the South-East Project, unveiled on December 29.

    “That event, which brought the president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero, to Bende is significant and symbolic because Kanu is from Bende,” he said.

    He said that the fact that Abuja emptied into Bende on that day showed the commitment of the Federal Government to peace in the South-East.

    “So, I urge the South-East to cool temper. South-East coolu, coolu, coolu temper.

    “When you cool your temper, then the father of the nation would say, yes, they are ready to talk now,” Kalu said.

    The deputy speaker, therefore, admonished the gunmen fomenting violence in the region to surrender their arms to the security agencies.

    He expressed the hope that they would be granted amnesty by the Federal Government, once they dropped their arms for peace to reign in the region.

    He said: “Sit-at-home is an affront to the Federal Government.

    “You cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.”

    He disclosed that genuine moves were ongoing behind the curtain to have Kanu released, adding that “once there is peace, our brother would come out. “

    The deputy speaker further spoke on the need for Federal Government’s economic policies to be tailored toward reducing poverty in the country.

    He said that the National Assembly (NASS) should also lean toward legislations that would help to reduce poverty, diversify and grow the economy to create jobs for the teeming unemployed.

    He further said that the 10th NASS was committed to ensuring that good governance would be guaranteed because of its huge impact on the people through transparency and accountability.

  • Troops apprehend IPOB/ESN commander in Enugu

    Troops apprehend IPOB/ESN commander in Enugu

    Troops of Sector 1 Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III, in conjunction with other security agencies, apprehended a commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    The IPOB/ESN Commander, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa, and three others, were apprehended on Wednesday, following a credible intelligence report.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations, on Thursday in Enugu.

    Unuakhalu said that the IPOB/ESN commander and his men were apprehended at their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church, Ameta, Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    “The arrest was made possible during a raid on their hideout while they were holding a meeting to take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command, Enugu State Chapter, from apprehended former Commander populaly known as “Chocho”.

    “They were also planning to carry out attacks on our troops.

    “During the raid, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape.

    “Others arrested are Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere, while quantity 4 of live cartridge were recovered,” he said.

    The army Spokesperson recalled that Akpa was the Second-in-Command to Chocho, a notorious IPOB/ESN criminal, who earlier escaped to Benue State due to the intensity of the operations and was recently arrested.

    He noted that the arrested criminals were presently in custody for further interrogation.

    In a follow-up raid carried out at the early hours of today (Thursday) at another hideout in Nenwe community in Agwu LGA, the following were recovered – one AK 47 rifle, two AK 47 magazines, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one pump action rifle.

    “The General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan  Dada, wishes to appreciate the incredible cooperation of other security agencies for the success of the operation.

    “He wishes to enjoin the good people of the South-East to support and continually provide timely, reliable, and credible information that will lead to the arrest of more unscrupulous elements through the Emergency Line 193. ”

    “The Nigerian Army will continue to protect lives and property of the good people of the South-East as it carries out its constitutional roles within the ambit of the law,” he added.

  • We’ll soon expose S’East govs, senators working against Nnamdi Kanu’s release – Ohanaeze

    We’ll soon expose S’East govs, senators working against Nnamdi Kanu’s release – Ohanaeze

    The apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has claimed that two Southeast governors, senators, and Igbo leaders are among those working against the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

    Ohanaeze alleged that those identified want Kanu transferred to Kuje Prisons instead of being released due to the upcoming Anambra governorship elections.

    According to the apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, those working against the release of Nnamdi Kanu will be exposed  in no time.

    The factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said among these groups are some leaders of Biafra agitators who have resorted to criminalising the Biafra struggle through hysteria and violence, seeking quick fame and fortunes.

    A statement by Isiguzoro reads partly: “Additionally, political elites, including two Southeast governors, senators, and Igbo leaders, are working behind the scenes to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu is only transferred to Kuje Prison instead of being released outright, citing the upcoming Anambra gubernatorial elections.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo passionately calls on President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu by dropping all charges against him and allowing him to immediately return to the United Kingdom after his release.”

  • Police arrest 15 suspected terrorists in Imo

    Police arrest 15 suspected terrorists in Imo

    The Police Command in Imo has announced the arrest of 15 suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The Spokesman of the Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, said in a statement issued in Owerri on Friday that the arrest was sequel to confessions by some members of the group earlier arrested by the the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

    He said that in the follow-up operation, the squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, arrested the 15 suspects at their hideouts in Obiangwu and Logara Forests in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, an AK47 riffle loaded with 21 rounds of live ammunition, charms, one cut-to-size double barrel short gun, four locally made short guns, three rounds of live ammunition and illicit drugs and substances were recovered from the suspects.

    “One militia camouflage T-Shirt, one Improvised Explosive Device, one guinea fowl with fetish items on it, one POS machine used in extorting money from their victims and various denominations of Biafra currency were equally recovered.

    “The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation,” the command spokesman added.

    Okoye reiterated the pledge of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, to ensure adequate security during the yuletide, as well as intensify the clamp down on subversive and unrepentant criminals across the state.

    Okoye urged members of the public to support the police with timely and actionable information through: 08034773600 and 08098880197, to stem criminalities across the state

     

  • Uzodinma speaks on blocking Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    Uzodinma speaks on blocking Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has reacted to reports that he blocked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from facilitating the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Uzodinma accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using the story as a form of blackmail ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Public Communications, Collins Ughalaa, Governor Uzodinma stated that the PDP had resorted to blackmail due to their realization that they might lose the upcoming governorship election.

    He maintained that the story of him preventing Tinubu from facilitating Kanu’s release is entirely false.

    The statement reads in part: “We know that the disgruntled opposition party can do anything, including supporting or sponsoring terror in the state, but we thought the party still had some shame. However, the recent desperation to blackmail Governor Hope Uzodinma with the fake story that the governor is blocking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu shows that the party is capable of doing any evil without scruples.

    “In a fake story titled: ‘Uzodinma blocking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu – Tinubu,’ and being circulated by the PDP and their agents, the party falsely accused the governor of blocking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    “The story is false in its entirety. Not only did President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not make the statement they falsely credited to him, the governor never made any move to block Kanu’s release, neither did he reach out to the President not to release Kanu. There is no reason for such a move whatsoever.”

    Reports had claimed that Tinubu accused Uzodinma of stopping him from facilitating Kanu’s release during a meeting with Igbo businessmen in Abuja on Monday.

    However, the presidency had denied such reports, stressing that Tinubu never made such a remark.

  • Imo Guber: IPOB warns FG, INEC against rigging, causing crisis

    Imo Guber: IPOB warns FG, INEC against rigging, causing crisis

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) on Monday issued out a strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) against rigging the November 11 governorship election in Imo State.

    According to IPOB, it will not look away and allow Federal Government to use INEC officials to  perpetrate evil in the State.

    IPOB’s position was made public by its spokesman, Emma Powerful via a statement on Thursday.

    The statement reads partly: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU warns INEC not to throw Imo State into political crisis in the coming Imo State gubernatorial election.

    “As much as IPOB does not get involved in the Nigeria fraudulent political selection called election, nevertheless, we are not going to be silent and watch the Nigeria Government use corrupt INEC officials to perpetuate evil in Imo State and by extension the Southeast Region.

    “Everyone is familiar with INEC’s fraudulent activities during elections in Nigeria. INEC is not independent but fully dependent on the government in power or to any moneybag politician who lines their pockets.

    “However, in this coming election in Imo State, INEC officials must very circumspect not to throw Imo State into crisis by becoming willing tools to renew another four years-mandate of suffering, hunger, and killings.

    “INEC officials must not be another Supreme Court that imposed a rejected candidate on Imo Indigenes using the fulanized Supreme Court. That illegality of the Supreme Court threw Imo State into unwarranted suffering, political intimidation, and mass killings.”

    Powerful noted that IPOB was against political parties and government that are toxic to the people of the Southeast.

    He alleged that Governor Hope Uzodinma “has ensured that insecurity reigns supreme in Imo State and beyond.”

    He warned that “those who are colluding with him to rig him back into power should watch their back. He who fetches an ant-infested firewood has indirectly invited lizards for a party.

    “Therefore, INEC officials that Hope Uzodinma handpicked and drafted to rig the Imo State election should be very careful not to buy a market that comes with heavy prices. We want these drafted INEC officials to know that Imo State people are groaning in pains from a killer government and it will be suicidal for them to subvert their wishes in this coming election because of money or threat,” he added.

  • IPOB berates Federal Government over ‘terrorist’ tag

    IPOB berates Federal Government over ‘terrorist’ tag

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday asked the Federal Government to remove the “terrorist” tag it placed on the group or appear in court to defend it.

    On September, 20, 2017, ustice Abdul Kafarati granted an ex parte order proscribing IPOB as a ‘terrorist’ organisation.

    But the pro-Biafran group, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the Federal Government has refused to appear at the Appeal Court to defend their proscription order.

    According to Powerful, the proscription order had been appealed at the Appeal Court since 2018 by the IPOB legal team. Still, the Federal Government of Nigeria keeps using a “slow and warped” justice system to frustrate its hearing.

    Powerful said, “Ever since the IPOB’s proscription was appealed, the Federal Government and her compromised Judges have been running away from meeting the IPOB legal team in their court.

    “The Federal Government and her Courts are running while the IPOB legal team awaits them in the court to continue what they started.

    “The IPOB, ably led by our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wondered why the Federal Government is running away from defending their ‘black market’ proscription of IPOB before the Appeal Court.

  • Sit-at-home: You are killing SMEs in Southeast – Kalu tells IPOB

    Sit-at-home: You are killing SMEs in Southeast – Kalu tells IPOB

    The Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has said the “sit-at-home’’ order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is killing the Southeast geopolitical zone and its businesses.

    He disclosed this on Friday in Abuja when executives of the Nigerian Association of Small And Medium Enterprises (NASMEs) paid him a courtesy visit.

    The NASME executives were led by Mr Abdulrashid Yerima, president of the association.

    Kalu observed that the Southeast geopolitical zone loses between N10 billion and N13 billion in the transportation sector alone on every sit-at-home day weekly.

    “When they sit at home in the Southeast, the Southwest, South-South, Northwest, Northeast and North Central are not sitting at home,’’ Kalu said.

    He observed also that when SMEs in the Southeast suffer, the whole country suffers, stressing that when the Southeast suffers, Nigeria suffers.

    “Prices of goods and services will suffer if there is insecurity in the land,’’ the deputy speaker noted.

    Kalu promised legislative commitment to address concerns raised earlier by the visitors.

    “We must seek the growth of SMEs; there must be law to support it.

    “We must examine existing laws that are not SMEs-friendly. That way, we can address some of the economic challenges facing the country via SMEs,’’ he said.

    Kalu promised to work with NASMEs for the growth, adding that the 10th National Assembly would support its course with positive legislation.

    “We believe in SMEs because without them major corporations cannot exist. We must support and promote the growth of SMEs,’’ Kalu stressed.

    He said also that a recent data indicated that SMEs accounted for 48 per cent of national GDPs in emerging economies, just as the World Bank had declared that SMEs played pivotal role in job creation.

    Earlier, the NASME president appealed to Kalu to facilitate laws that would support the growth of SMEs in Nigeria.

  • Sit-at-home, unknown gun men alien to Igbo land – Deputy Speaker, Kalu

    Sit-at-home, unknown gun men alien to Igbo land – Deputy Speaker, Kalu

     

    ..unveils PISE project for restoration of security, peace

    …as Ohanaeze Ndigbo PG calls for unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Friday, said that observance of sit-at-home, unknown gunmen and other social vices are alien and abhorrent to Igboland socially, economically and culturally.

    He however revealed that his office has unveiled a mechanism that will ultimately end insecurity in the south east and restore normalcy in the economic and social life of Ndigbo.

    Unveiling the mechanism as Peace In The South East (PISE) project, he said that that soon his office in agreement with all the lawmakers from the region irrespective of the political parties will reach out the State governors and other critical stakeholders for the launch and implementation of the project.

    He also said that the project will feature a regional security integration and political leadership that will streamline an agenda for the promotion of Igbo cause and growth in terms of infrastructure.

    Kalu who made the revelations during a courtesy call on him by the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural group led by its President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu bemoaned the insecurity in the south east.

    He added that the sit-at-home observed in the region every Monday has crippled businesses and left the region empty.

    Kalu who vehemently objected to the sit-at-home order stated that Ndigbo must extend their handshakes across the federation to restore confidence.

    The Deputy Speaker also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his benevolence to Ndigbo by ensuring that the people of the south east were accorded a place in the political hierarchy of the country.

    Kalu also remarked of his cordial relationship with the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, saying he will be delighted in accommodating the requests of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in stamping out insecurity in the south east.

    He said: “Let me also state that, in our pursuit for these noble objectives, it is imperative that we draw a clear distinction between a legitimate call for justice, equity and fairness against criminal activities. There is a difference between the two of them.

    “Criminal activities cannot be taken to mean legitimate call. Secession is not a legitimate call. We want to remain as one Nigeria!

    “It is a distinction that our people must be able to make. And together we must ensure that the line is firmly drawn. Igbo Community has always been in the forefront of nation building and positive change. Go to any part of Nigeria, if you don’t see an Igbo man there, it means that place is not progressing, it means that place is not prosperous. We are everywhere, nobody is as patriotic as the Igbo man.

    “I’m here today, not just as the representative of the people of Bende, but as a representative of all Nigerians. The House of Representatives is actually named the House of the People for a reason. The 10th House of Representatives led by my Principal, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who is currently in India and who has sent his greetings and who would love to host you when he is back, as we arrange your next visit, the Honourable Speaker himself will be here.

    “And I want to say that I have a good working relationship with the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “I want to report to you as the father of Igbo land that, I have a good relationship between me and this North Westerner, who is the Speaker. He does not discriminate, he does not undermine me, he sees the potentials and we are working together like twins to help Nigeria in the House of Representatives.

    “With him, we will ensure that there is justice, with him, we will ensure that there is fairness, with him, we will ensure that there is equity to all, including the Igbos.

    “We are not known for self destruction that is evident in the idea of sit-at-home or unknown gun men.

    “It is not our thing. It is alien to us. We don’t kill one another. We love our trade, we love our farms. We don’t sit at home.

    “Sitting at home is for lazy people. Igbo people are not lazy people. Those in support of sit-at-home are not Igbos.

    “There is no true son of the soil of Igbo land that would support laziness and call it a strategy for secession. If you sit at home, you are a lazy man. Igbos are not known to be lazy. We are industrious, we are entrepreneurs, we work hard to succeed.

    “The tradition of collective action and communalism has been a hallmark of the Igbo people throughout history, from building schools and hospitals to markets and farms. We are not known for self-destruction that is evident in the idea of “sit-at-home” or unknown gunmen. These tendencies are alien and abhorrent to how the Igbos are constituted; socially, culturally, and economically.

    “In addressing our present challenges, we have the opportunity to draw on the things that pull us together. We may have different political platforms, but we must realize that the commonwealth and common good are ultimately the same. Onye aghana nwanne ya”, he said.

    Earlier in his presentation, the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu called for the release of the leader of defunct Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying it will help restore peace in the South East.

    “Ohaneze has decided that we want Nnamdi Kanu released. We think that every effort should be made to release Nnamdi Kanu. If he’s released, it’s going to make it easy for us”, he said.

    Iwuanyanwu highlighted some of the proposed projects of the apex socio-cultural to include inter-state rail, airports amongst other projects.

    Signed:

    Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • Troops recover rocket propeller, IEDs making materials from IPOB/ESN

    Troops recover rocket propeller, IEDs making materials from IPOB/ESN

    The troops of Joint Task Force South-East Operation, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA II’, has conducted clearance operations in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) affiliates hideouts in two council areas in Imo.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division of Nigerian Army, for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II.

    The clearance operations, the army said, which took place simultaneously on Thursday was conducted on the Ihioma-Ihittenansa communities in Orsu Local Government Area and Okigwe-Umulolo communities in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo respectively.

    Unuakhalu said that the clearance operations were aimed at identifying and destroying possible camps of the fleeing IPOB/ESN terrorists, who are killing and maiming as well as extorting innocent citizens of the South-East in the name of agitation.

    According to him, during the simultaneous clearance operations, at Umulolo, one of the troops’ vehicles was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), however, no causality was recorded.

    “Troops also came in contact with the terrorists who fled into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds due to superior fire power.

    “Two suspects were arrested and items recovered at Umulolo included; two locally-made guns, ammunition, one PKT machine gun barrel, one big locally made Rocket Propelled Launcher (Ogbunigwe) and IEDs making materials.

    “Others included, three CCTV cameras, two laptops and a charger, eight mobile phones, three boots, camouflage shorts, two motorcycles and a beret. Furthermore, three shrines used by the terrorists for fortification were destroyed.”

    The army spokesman said that in the clearance operations/fighting patrols along Road Ihioma -Ihittenansa in Orsu LGA; the troops also encountered IEDs, made close contact and engaged in gun duels with some IPOB/ESN terrorists around Eketutu Market.

    “The terrorists fled into the adjourning forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys with gunshot wounds on motorcycles.

    “Troops also recovered 2 X CCTV cameras carefully concealed at the highest point in the area and some IED making materials.

    “Troops successfully cleared the terrorists from the Eketutu market,” he said.

    The army spokesman noted that Operation UDO KA II would continue combating ritual killings, cannibalism, kidnapping for ransom and extortion of hardworking and law-abiding citizens in the South-East.

    “These terrorists, mostly the condemned criminals that escaped from Owerri Jail Breaks, are low lives that are being used by a criminal abroad to unleash mayhem on all of us.

    “All should join in the fight to ensure these terrorists do not determine how we live our lives.

    “Law abiding and good citizens of the South-East are enjoined to provide timely, credible and reliable information to end the insecurity in the region (Alaigbo),” he added.