TheNewsGuru

Tag: IPOB

  • Pandemonium as gunmen attack Ebonyi Market, burn vehicles

    Pandemonium as gunmen attack Ebonyi Market, burn vehicles

    Pandemonium as vehicles and a market were burnt when gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Monday unleashed terror in Ebonyi State.

    The situation forced people to scamper for safety as the gunmen struck the Ezamgbo junction, along Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway in the South-Eastern state.

    The incident took place a few minutes before 8 a.m. and left two commercial buses, four motorcycles, and a shop within the Ezamgbo Market burnt.

    The spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command Onome Onovwakpoyeya said no life was lost in the incident.

    He noted that the Command deployed police operatives to the scene, assuring that efforts were ongoing to arrest the gunmen.

    “Today 02/10/2023, Armed men suspected to be IPOB/ESN members in a Sienna car attacked commuter buses, tricycles, and motorcycles at Ezzangbo junction,” the statement read.

    “They burnt down three commuter buses, four motorcycles, and one tricycle. No life was lost. Operatives of the Command have been dispatched to the scene and its environs to fish out the perpetrators. And we believe that before the end of the day, the perpetrators will be apprehended.”

     

  • October 1st: IPOB warns Igbos against celebrating Independence day

    October 1st: IPOB warns Igbos against celebrating Independence day

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) has banned any form of celebrations on Nigeria’s independence day across all southeastern states in the country.

    Nigeria gained independence on October 1st 1960 and will be marking its 63 anniversary on Monday October 2nd as the D-day falls on a Sunday.

    However, Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman called on all Igbos in the country to shun the Independence Day celebration in the region.

    According to powerful, the Nigerian state detests Igbos and has rejected all efforts to treat people of the Southeast equally.

    Powerful made this known via a statement on Friday in Enugu.

    He urged state governors and political leaders to shun the October 1st independence day celebration across the Southeast.

    The statement reads in part: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the Supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU hereby call on Biafrans both home and in diaspora to shun participation in the Nigeria Independent day celebration on 1st October 2023.

    “Every sensible Biafra citizen must understand that Nigeria detests Biafrans, particularly Ndigbo. Nigeria has rejected all our efforts to be treated as equal citizens. Nigeria has marginalized Biafrans politically and economically. Since Nigeria has rejected us, we have also rejected Nigeria and her celebrations.

    “The Nigeria Government and Nigeria citizens have time after time demonstrated that we are not part of them, and therefore, we must do everything possible to liberate ourselves from the bondage of Nigeria. Even a fool would have come to the realization that Nigeria is not for Ndigbo and Biafrans after the shenanigan that they called 2023 elections.

    “As Nigeria’s government plans to celebrate her flag Independence from Britain, we advise Eastern Region Governors and Political leaders to shun the October 1st Independence celebration in our region. Moreso, we advise Biafrans not to attend any Independence celebration anywhere within Biafra territory or outside of it.

    “Hence, IPOB has banned the Independence Day celebration and flying of Nigeria flags in any part of Biafraland on October 1st, 2023.”

  • Release Nnamdi Kanu – Reps tell FG

    Release Nnamdi Kanu – Reps tell FG

    The House of Representatives has advised the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu as a panacea for peace in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

    Chairman of the House Adhoc committee, Rep. Obinna Aguocha stated this at the resumed hearing of the committee set up to interface with relevant security agencies to reduce kidnapping, assassinations and banditry in and around Isiukwuato and Umunnochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

    He said: “As we navigate the complexities of security concerns, we must also be prepared to tackle the root causes of these issues at their core and work to ensure lasting solutions that would stand the test of time.

    “For absolute peace, reduction of crime and criminality, investment in meaningful infrastructure development, ending the unproductive sit-at-home and improving economic growth and opportunities in the Southeast, starts with the government’s recognition of the rule of law, justics, and equitable inclusion of the Southeast zone in the project Nigeria and the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from unlawful detention to ensure lasting peace and security in the entire region”.

    Recall that the House before going on its annual recess had pledged to wade into the matter following a similar demand through a motion, but yet to take any action to that effect.

    Rep. Aguocha further stated, “the challenges we face are not mere statistics or headlines; they are real-life manifestations that affect the lives of our people, disrupt the functioning of our institutions and communities, thus impeding the growth of our region”.

    According to the lawmaker, instances of criminal activities, banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, communal and religious clashes, and threats to life have shaken the very foundation of our societies.

    “As leaders and stakeholders, it is incumbent upon us to come together, transcending our differences, to find sustainable solutions that will quell these threats and pave the way for a brighter future.

    “We recognize that insecurity cannot be combated by one entity alone; it does require a collective, multi-faceted approach that encompasses various perspectives and expertise of law enforcement agencies, community leaders, policymakers, scholars, and citizens”, he added.

    According to him, the ongoing engagement will provide the opportunity to harness the diverse perspectives and channel them into coherent, actionable strategies for peace.

    “The cross-border dynamics of the primary focus areas bring additional complexity to the challenges of the task ahead. The common borders, shared with four other states connect the primary focus areas to Ebonyi State via Isiagu, Enugu State via Agwu, Imo state via Okigwe and Anambra via Awka.

    “The opportunity for interstate collaboration presents itself and must be explored to foster regional participation. The challenges faced by one state ripple across its neighbors, and therefore, our strategies for resolution must be all inclusive. By synergizing our resources, expertise, and perspectives, we can create a stronger front against insecurity and strengthen the bonds that bind us together.

    “This committee wishes to applaud the efforts of state governments in the Southeast region as well as the Federal government for its demonstrable commitment to peace and security in the Southeast”, he stated.

    Rep. Amobi Ogah, sponsor of the motion that led to the set up of this Adhoc Committee accused the police of using multiple checkpoints in the troubled areas to extort money from innocent citizens, instead of combing the bushes to flush out the criminals as demanded by the House through its resolution.

    He said of all the prayers, including setting up of a joint security task force to comb the bushes, nothing has been done, but rather the mounting of multiple checkpoints, which he described as “embarrassing”, while kidnapping is yet on the increase.

    “I want this to be on record that the police are doing nothing, but collecting money”, he said.

    To save the situation, Chairman of the committee called for a closed door session, for the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Mr. Kenechukwu Onwumelie to brief the panel.

  • Army foil IPOB attack on its base in Imo, kill two fighters

    Army foil IPOB attack on its base in Imo, kill two fighters

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday foiled an attack on the Forward Operating Base by the Indigenous People of Biafra fighters in Imo State on Wednesday.

    The Army stated that the attempt to attack its base by IPOB fighters was met with stiff resistance by the personnel on the ground.

    This was made known via a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, the IPOB fighters were engaged in a fierce gun battle that ensued on August 20, the troops killed one of the fighters and arrested two.

    The statement read: “Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating in 82 Division, Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility have foiled an attack by Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network on its Forward Operating Base at Ukwuorji, along Owerri – Onitsha expressway.

    “The irredentist fighters attempted the attack on the troops on 20 August 2023 but met their Waterloo, when they came under the superior firepower of the vigilant troops. The troops neutralized one of the fighters, while 2 others were arrested, as others fled.

    “Items recovered at the scene of the shootout, include one vehicle, one mobile phone, one machete, nine empty cases of expended 7.62 mm Special Ammunition, and one empty case of expended 12.7mm Ammunition.”

    He also said a Boko Haram fighter with his wife surrendered to troops after an aggressive operation in Borno.

    “In another development, following troops’ aggressive combat operations against insurgents in the northeast, one Boko Haram fighter alongside his wife surrendered to troops of 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in Gwoza. Items recovered from the terrorist, include one AK 47 Rifle and 10 Live rounds of 7.62 mm Special Ammunition, ” the statement added.

    Onyema also disclosed that troops in another operation on August 21 were waylaid by bandits preparing to attack a village in Zamfara State.

    He said two of the bandits were killed, four motorcycles and two AK 47 Riffles were recovered from them.

    Onyema said, “In a separate operation on 21 August 2023, troops of 1 Brigade Garrison, operating under 8 Division, Area of Responsibility, while acting on actionable Intelligence, ambushed insurgents who were on a mission to attack Bobo Village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In a fierce fight with the insurgents, troops eliminated two of the criminals and recovered two AK 47 Rifles and four motorcycles.”

  • Lawyer files N10bn suit against Twitter, DSS

    Lawyer files N10bn suit against Twitter, DSS

    A legal practitioner, Mr Maxwell Opara, has filed an alleged defamatory suit seeking N10 billion in damages against Twitter and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    In the writ of summons marked: FCT/HC/CV/7186/23 and filed at the FCT High Court by Malachy Nwaekpe, Opara listed Twitter Nigeria Limited and Director-General (DG) of State Security Service (also known as DSS) as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    The State Security Service and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice are listed as 3rd and 4th defendants respectively in the suit dated Aug. 11 and filed Aug. 14.

    The lawyer filed the suit against the allegation that the Twitter, now known as X, “negligently allowed the defamatory, ethnic profiling and racist comments against” him by the DSS under the leadership of its director-general on the security agency’s platform on July 18 for more than 96 hours.

    Opara, who alleged that the post was caused to be published and made viral to millions of readers, decsribed the message as “false, defamatory, demeaning, disparaging and harmful.”

    He, therefore, sought eight reliefs which include “an order of this honourable court directing the 2nd and 3rd defendants (DG and DSS), jointly and severally, to issue a letter of apology on the 1st defendant’s platform Twitter and a daily newspaper widely read across the federation of Nigeria.

    He sought an order of court directing the defendants to, jointly and severally, pay to the claimant the sum N10 billion as general damages for the various defamatory, demeaning, disparaging and harmful words of the 3rd defendant under the leadership of the 2nd defendant which words were published and caused to be made viral by the 1st defendant in its Twitter platform.

    “An award of 10 per cent post judgment interest per annum on the entire judgment sum from the date of judgment till same is fully liquidated.”

    The matter was yet to be assigned to a judgment at the time of the report.

    In the tweet, the DSS was quoted as having written the following, “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like minded lawyers against DGSS.

    “Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression.

    “A Biafran republic agitator and outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN governor.

    “Is IPOB defending one of theirs? What a contradiction, what’s the connection, may Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”

  • Troops invade IPOB/ESN den in Enugu, nab gunrunner syndicate in Obudu

    Troops invade IPOB/ESN den in Enugu, nab gunrunner syndicate in Obudu

    The Nigerian Army troops of the 82 Division, operating in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies stormed den of IPOB/ESN, nab notorious gunrunner in Enugu and Cross River states.

    In the first operation, carried out under the banner of Operation UDO KA II, troops raided the hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The engagement resulted in the neutralization of two irredentist fighters, the recovery of three Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles, and a locally fabricated single barrel gun.

    Moreover, the collaborative efforts of troops and the DSS led to the arrest of a notorious ESN Commander, identified as Mr. Ezege, at Obinagu in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Mr. Ezege had recently issued threats of violence against Enugu state through viral videos and audio messages on social media platforms. He is currently in custody for further investigation.

    In a parallel operation, troops of the 130 Battalion within the 13 Brigade Area of Responsibility under the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, worked in tandem with the DSS to dismantle a gunrunner syndicate in Obudu motorcycle park, Cross River State.

    Acting on credible intelligence, the operation led to the apprehension of the syndicate leader and his associates, including two Nigerians and two Cameroonians.

    Preliminary investigations revealed a network where the accomplices procured firearms, which were then sold to a middleman responsible for supplying arms and ammunition to Ambazonian Separatists in the Republic of Cameroon.

    Subsequent actions resulted in the capture of the kingpin, Raphael, also known as Biajua, in Biajua community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. The operation yielded four Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and four mobile phones.

    The Nigerian Army in a statement by its spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema, urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies, bolstering ongoing operations to address security challenges.

    The people of Southeast Nigeria are encouraged to dismiss any illegal “sit-at-home” order and continue their daily activities, as the Army maintains unwavering efforts to counter unlawful enforcement.

  • Gov Mbah: Ohaneze faults IPOB

    Gov Mbah: Ohaneze faults IPOB

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has faulted claims by the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) that Governor Peter Mbah is militarising Enugu State.

    IPOB made the allegation in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.

    Powerful said militarising and humiliating the people of Enugu State in the guise of ending the sit-at-home order was a wrong approach and unacceptable.

    However, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike told journalists on Friday that there has been no reported case of intimidation or humiliation of Enugu residents by the security agencies deployed to checkmate the activities of hoodlums.

    Okwu, who said Governor Mbah should be commended rather than vilified, noted that the presence of security agencies at strategic locations in the State had built the confidence of residents.

    According to him, a few weeks back, criminals were on a rampage in Enugu, attacking and robbing residents unchallenged. Kidnappers were also on the prowl, instilling fear in the minds of residents.

    “But the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah rose to the occasion and this resulted in the huge deployment of security agencies, including the police and the military.

    “Every Enugu resident can attest to the fact that normalcy has returned to the State, with criminals now having it rough. It is therefore, totally unjustifiable to now turn and accuse the Governor of militarising the State.

    “May we ask: should Enugu continue to be left at the mercy of non-state actors? If the security agencies are after sit-at-home enforcers, why should it be a worry to the IPOB, having disowned the sit-at-home order?”

    Okwu declared that Enugu people were happy with the Governor for restoring their confidence, which he said “is responsible for the failure of the two weeks sit-at-home declared by Simon Ekpa.

    “Enugu people are comfortable with the presence of security agencies; those not comfortable with it might have something up their sleeves.”

  • IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu not released – DSS source

    IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu not released – DSS source

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has not released Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a competent source revealed in Abuja.

    The source said on Sunday that contrary to reports in a section of the media, the IPOB leader was only granted access to his personal doctors under the supervision of the Service.

    Some sections of the media had reported that Kanu was on Saturday, released for the first time, since his incarceration two years ago to meet with his personal physicians in an Abuja hospital outside the facility of the DSS.

    According to the DSS source, access to doctors for suspects in DSS custody is routine in line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Service.

    The DSS source said the IPOB leader was granted access to his personal doctors under the supervision of its operatives.

    The source said such access under the supervision of personnel of the service was not only applicable to Kanu but every other suspect in DSS custody.

    The source further said Kanu’s access to his personal doctors was also in line with the order of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    According to the source, even before the order, Kanu had always been given access to medical services.

    “Apart from being routine, Kanu was also granted access to his personal doctors in line with the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “Reports that Kanu was released to see his personal doctors is baseless because the access granted him was under the supervision of the DSS.

    “The DSS is an organization that believes in the rule of law and so, will continue to comply with orders of court,” the source said.

    NAN

  • IPOB confirms Nnamdi Kanu’s letter to Simon Ekpa

    IPOB confirms Nnamdi Kanu’s letter to Simon Ekpa

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has confirmed that the letter ordering Finland-based Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa to desist from calling for sit-at-home on Mondays is authentic.

    It dismissed claims from Ekpa that the letter was fake.

    IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, insisted that Kanu’s letter ordering Ekpa to end the sit-at-home in the Southeast was authentic.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kanu sent a letter to Ekpa on Friday asking him to end the sit-at-home in the Southeast.

    Kanu sent the letter through his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

    Confirming the letter, Powerful said Ekpa’s claim that Kanu’s letter was fake was part of an effort to cause mischief.

    A statement by Powerful on Saturday reads partly: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) confirm the authenticity of the handwritten note of our leader penned to the Finland infiltrator and crime minister instructing him to end his infamous and reckless sit-at-homes.

    “It is pertinent to make the message disassociating Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB from the senseless enforcement of sit-at-home public to avoid consequences on innocent citizens.

    “Kanu, in his wisdom, communicated the message to the infiltrators through the right channel and a source they should trust.

    “The claims that Kanu’s handwritten note is fake is part of their mischief to continue in their contract to blackmail IPOB and Kanu with the violent enforcement of the infamous sit-at-homes used terrorize our people.

    “We understand that a power-drunk crime Minister with his inconsequential kangaroo defacto government in exile will ignore the order for the fear of deflating his over-bloated ego.

    “The note from our leader disassociating himself and IPOB from the infamous sit-at-homes is being distributed to all Nigeria Security Agencies, all foreign Embassies in Abuja, and to the contractors of the infiltrators for their notice. We are IPOB, and we are wiser than the serpent.”

  • Breaking: IPOB’s leader Kanu warns Ekpa to desist from declaring Sit-at -home

    Breaking: IPOB’s leader Kanu warns Ekpa to desist from declaring Sit-at -home

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, has ordered Finland -based agitator and lawyer, Simon Ekpa to end sit-at-home in the southeast.

    Kanu whi is currently in detention added that Ekpa should refrain from antagonizing governors of the southeast or politicians from the region.

    He warned that anyone enforcing sit-at-home in the southeast is not his disciple and should be made to face the wrath of the law.

    Addressing journalists in Enugu, Ejimakor quoted Kanu as saying: “Simon, this is a direct order from me. I hereby instruct you to desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth. Equally, refrain from antagonising governors or persons in political positions because you are not in a position to know what they are doing on my behalf.

    “I am ordering you to make a public announcement to the effect that you are in receipt of a direct order from me to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment.

    “I embarked on this movement to liberate our people, not to enslave them. I despise and will despise any person or entity that wishes to inflict unnecessary hardship on our people. I have authorised Aloy to issue a press statement if you fail to make this announcement on your platform.

    “Anybody still engaging in sit-at-home is not my disciple. Haters of Biafra and mindless murderers in uniform are hiding under the cover of combating enforcers of Sit-at-Home to unleash mayhem against the same people we swore to defend.

    “I have sent countless messages to those purportedly enforcing sit-at-home that they are not doing so in my name. I am not begging anybody to release me, just that Nigeria should have the decency to obey their own laws.”