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Tag: sit-at-home

  • IPOB speaks on ordering week- long Sit-at-home in South East

    IPOB speaks on ordering week- long Sit-at-home in South East

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has finally reacted to a viral audio message circulating on social media asking residents of the southeast to observe a one-week sit-at-home from July 3 to 10.

    According to IPOB, the audio didn’t emanate from them, saying they haven’t ordered any week -long sit – at -home.

    The sit-at-home order, purported to have come from IPOB, with the tag #FreeNnamdiKanu, is aimed at forcing the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The audio message claimed that there will be dire consequences for anyone who ventures out on the said dates.

    But the media and publicity secretary of IPOB, Mr Emma Powerful, told DAILY POST upon enquiry on Wednesday, that the audio message was not from his group.

    “You must know whom madness sit-at-home is, and the criminal who is illegally destroying our land.

    “I will issue an official press release against it in two to three days to the date declared in the audio, but for now, the leadership (of IPOB) has asked me not to give it attention or attraction,” he said.

    IPOB had first declared every Monday a sit-at-home day in the South East, as a way to compel the Federal Government to release its leader Kanu, but later canceled it, upon plea that the exercise was taking a toll on the economy of the region.

     

  • IPOB calls on Igbos in Lagos, other parts of Nigeria to join May 30 sit-at -home order

    IPOB calls on Igbos in Lagos, other parts of Nigeria to join May 30 sit-at -home order

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) has called on the Igbos residing and doing business in Lagos and other parts of the country to participate in the May 30th sit-at-home order.

    While issuing out the directive, IPOB urged the Igbos to pray with lighted candles and observe three minutes of silence on May 30th.

    The May 30th Sit -at-home order was disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.

    The statement reads in part “Biafrans in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria are encouraged to join the sit-at-home order on that day; it’s only one day.

    “We, therefore, advise Biafrans and other residents in Biafra territory to avoid endangering their lives or their businesses by obeying the sit-at-home order from IPOB leadership.

    “Wherever our people are or gathered on that day, they must pray with lighted candles and must observe 3 minutes of silence immediately at 12 noon,” the statement reads partly.

    IPOB had declared a sit-at-home on May 30 to remember those killed during the Biafra struggle and the agitation so far.

    The group had directed a total lockdown of marketplaces, churches, schools, and all social gatherings on May 30th.

    The IPOB sit -at -home will be coming just one day after president -elect, Bola Tinubu would have been inaugurated.

  • IPOB denies ordering Sit-At-Home during 2023 polls

    IPOB denies ordering Sit-At-Home during 2023 polls

    Ahead of the forthcoming elections the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called against the continuous attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission in some parts of the South-East, especially within Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

    IPOB also denied ordering any sit-at-home in the South-East during the election period.

    The group has urged the people of Biafra to disregard any rumour directing them to sit-At-Home during the election periods.

    In a statement on Monday, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claimed that those attacking INEC facilities were primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and the Eastern Security Network.

    The group insisted that they had no interest in the Nigeria election, adding that its only demand is a referendum date to decide their political, social and economic future.

    It said, “IPOB condemns the recent attacks on INEC offices and staff in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State. The criminal gangs operating within Ihiala LGA and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu LGA, Imo State are primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and ESN operatives.

    “We maintain that we have no interest in the selection process called Nigeria election. Hence, we refrained from making any statement concerning the jamboree. Our only demand is a referendum date for us to decide our political, social and economic future either in a united Nigeria or independent Biafra nation.

    “IPOB and ESN operatives did not ask any group to attack INEC facilities for whatever reason, nor did we issue any sit-at-home order within the election period.

    “Anybody linking IPOB to the malicious sit-at-home order must be very ignorant. IPOB has its own channels to disseminate information, through its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, or through an official IPOB memo signed by the Head of the directorate of state of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Chika Edoziem. Any IPOB public information that is not from the above-mentioned channels should be disregarded.

    “We urge our people not to pay attention to any fake information linking IPOB to criminal activities of infiltrators and collaborators. IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives will make Biafraland very uncomfortable to criminal gangs paid to intimidate our people and blackmail our peaceful movement. Nigeria security agencies who have been aiding, abetting and supporting these criminals recruited and funded by politicians must steer clear because we will unleash our venom on those who want to blackmail IPOB.

    “The task ahead is enormous, and our enemies are relentlessly exploiting every means to destroy IPOB through this election, but we won’t allow them to continue in their obnoxious plan to destroy IPOB and ESN operatives and derail our freedom march.

    “The attacks on INEC facilities within this period are not supported by IPOB, because that will not add any positive value to our struggle. We are only seeking Biafra freedom through peaceful means and not through violence.”

  • Sit-At -Home: Gunmen attack Ebonyi community to enforce Samuel Ekpa’s order

    Sit-At -Home: Gunmen attack Ebonyi community to enforce Samuel Ekpa’s order

    Indigenes and shop owners scampered for safety as gunmen invaded some parts of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital to enforce the sit at home order as instructed by the Finland based Simon Ekpa.

    Ekpa the self-acclaimed loyalist of detained IPOB chief Nnamdi Kanu gave the order sometimes last week from his base.

    It was gathered that some villages in the state  deserted the streets of Abakaliki owing to the sporadic shootings by these unknown gunmen.

    Traders hurriedly closed their shops and went into hideouts for fear of being killed or hit by a stray bullet.

    According to an eye witness account, a woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the unknown gunmen invaded Ahia-Ohuru Market in Abakaliki and started shooting sporadically to scare people both traders and buyers away.

    She said: “People who were around saw the unknown gunmen who rode on two motorcycles, with guns. They were shooting anyhow to scare people away. They even burnt down a shop belonging to a woman. They saw the woman bringing out her goods, they met her and told her to close the shop.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that some hoodlums too attacked a community in Imo state and killing three persons before the operatives of the police force arrived to repel the attack.

    According to him: “People who were around saw the unknown gunmen who rode on two motorcycles, with guns. They were shooting anyhow to scare people away. They even burnt down a shop belonging to a woman. They saw the woman bringing out her goods, they met her and told her to close the shop.

    “The woman was asking them, what offense did she commit? Before you knew it, they poured fuel on the shop and set it ablaze. They were four in number.”

    Similarly, it was gathered that the popular Ebonyi International Market was abruptly closed, as well as all fuel stations in the State capital, shopping mall and other event centres in the State.

    It was also gathered that the said gunmen reportedly killed some persons at Izziamgbo junction, Ishieke junction and other places in the State.

    However, in a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State command, CP. Aliyu Garba, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, said there was no invasion by unknown gunmen in the State.

    He asked the citizens of the State to remain calm.

    CP. Garba noted further that he had deployed hundreds of police officers to go on patrol, looking for the said unknown gunmen.

     

  • Sit-at-home: Enugu CP orders police to go after hoodlums

    Sit-at-home: Enugu CP orders police to go after hoodlums

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr. Ahmed Ammani, has ordered area commanders, divisional police officers and commanders of tactical and operational units to go after hoodlums trying to paralyze business activities in the state.

    Ammani gave the order on Saturday in Enugu following pockets of violence by armed-wielding hoodlums bent on causing fear and social unrest among residents.

    He directed them to deploy all intelligence and operational resources at their disposal to effectively patrol and fish out miscreants that might want to disrupt public peace and security.

    “You are directed to ensure that there is no disruption of businesses and other activities of law-abiding residents under the guise of enforcing illegitimate sit-at-home order in any part of the state,” he added.

    Ammani reassured that the command, other security agencies and law-abiding citizens would  ensure that lives and property of the residents are protected against undesirable activities of misguided criminal elements.

    The commissioner said: “I urge all and sundry to remain vigilant, go about their lawful businesses and resist succumbing to the antics of the miscreants, including the spread of tension-causing fake news.

    “I also enjoin law-abiding residents to continue to support and cooperate with the police and other security agencies, in their unwavering quest to quell the activities of criminal elements.”

    He also called on the good people of the state to remain law-abiding, security conscious and promptly report suspected criminals to the nearest police station.

    “They should call the Command’s emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08098880172 or 08086671202; or alternatively send emails to infoenugupolice@gmail.com,” he added.

    Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored at the New Market axis of Enugu where the hoodlums fired guns to scare residents in the early hours of Saturday.

    The command had already deployed a crack team of police operatives to hunt down the armed hoodlums.

  • How gunmen enforcing sit-at-home killed Osita Iheme’s elder brother (PHOTOS)

    How gunmen enforcing sit-at-home killed Osita Iheme’s elder brother (PHOTOS)

    Gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order in some parts of Owerri, Mbaitoli, and other areas in Imo State have killed Prince Iheme, elder brother to renowned Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw.

    It was gathered that the gunmen on Friday afternoon also macheted the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Martin Eke, and rode in Tundra operational vehicles.

    After the operation, the gunmen shot indiscriminately, forcing people to scamper for safety.

    This pushed businesses into closing early and it was also gathered that roads were deserted as motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran away.

    Narrating how the gunmen who wore black killed a policeman at 7Up junction in Orji, an eyewitness said: “They just killed a policeman now. They opened fire on them and were shouting, ‘There is a sit-at-home. We have asked you to go home. Stay indoors.’”

    Another eyewitness said: “I just escaped death now. They stopped before us and shot in the air and asked us to go home. They didn’t shoot at us maybe because I was in the midst of some elderly women.”

    While the fleeing gunmen shot repeatedly at Nkwo Orji market before taking off towards Okigwe Road, they attacked a convoy of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Akarachi Amadi, at Ubommiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Prince Iheme was killed instantly by the gunmen who also macheted the state commissioner for Solid Minerals, Martin Eke.

    Speaking in anonymity, another eyewitness said: “This attack is politically motivated. We just finished at one campaign rally ground and were heading to Ubommiri. Our convoy was attacked at Amawuihe before Ubommiri.

    “Prince Iheme was riding in the same vehicle with the commissioner for solid minerals. Prince Iheme who is Pawpaw’s elder brother was killed on the spot. The commissioner who was sworn in two weeks ago was cut badly. He has just been rushed to a hospital. They were driving in a Ford SUV. I pray he makes it.”

    See the photos below

     

  • IPOB cancels Thursday sit-at-home in all Southeast states

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it has cancelled the May 26th sit-at-home it earlier announced.

    The group said the cancellation was as a result of the postponement of the court case of its leader Nnamdi Kanu, initially scheduled to come up on Thursday.

    This  was contained in a statement signed and released to pressmen  by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

    Powerful urged the people of the Southeast to maintain restraint and keep their eyes on the ball

    He said the announcement became necessary in order to notify their members both home and abroad that Kanu’s court case in Abuja on May 26, has been postponed to June 28.

    He added  that IPOB was informed by the Federal High Court’s registrar, through its legal counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, that the case was postponed because Justice Binta Nyako was indisposed.

    The statement read in part, “IPOB has been informed why and what caused the sudden change of date and we accepted it, we just received the communication from the Federal High Court’s Registrar, through our legal counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, notifying us that the court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, May 26, 2022, on our leader’s case.

    “Therefore, there will be no sit-at-home in regard to tomorrow’s case instead sit-at-home will hold on  June 28, 2022.

    “According to the registrar, this is because Justice Binta Nyako is indisposed, and as such, the matter is now adjourned to June 28, 2022 for ruling and hearing.

    “We most respectfully, urge you all to maintain restraint, as you have always done. Keep your eyes on the ball, which is the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    “Also, please note that justice delayed is not justice denied. We are aggressively cruising to victory of our leader, it is only a matter of time. There is no sit-at-home again tomorrow. Biafrans should bear with us.

    “We profoundly appreciate your solidarity, unflinching support and prayers, which have been sustaining us thus far. Please do not relent in your prayers, we do not take them for granted. We shall continue to keep you all informed as events unfold.”

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

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

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

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

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

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

    Although he was later arrested and released

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • DTSG warns group against enforcing sit-at-home order in Asaba

    DTSG warns group against enforcing sit-at-home order in Asaba

    The Delta State Government has sent a strong warning to a group of persons aiming at enforcing the sit-at-home order in Asaba, the State capital.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Delta State Government issued the warning in a statement released on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Patrick Ukah.

    The State Government strongly warned that it will allow any group under the guise of any organization to disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in the State Capital.

    The statement reads: “It has come to the notice of Delta State Government that a certain group of persons is trying to enforce a sit at home order in the State Capital Territory of Asaba and environs.

    “The Government wishes to warn that any such group of persons under the guise of any organization that wants to disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in Asaba and other neighbouring towns will be dealt with accordingly.

    “Security agencies have been put on red alert and have been mandated to ensure that such threats by unscrupulous elements are promptly nipped in the bud.

    “Residents of the state are assured of the state government’s commitment to ensuring continued peace and security of lives and property and they should go about their lawful duties without fear”.

  • IPOB announces May 18, 26 as sit-at-home to mark Kanu’s appearance in court

    IPOB announces May 18, 26 as sit-at-home to mark Kanu’s appearance in court

    The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has announced May 18 and 26 as sit-at-home in solidarity with its leader – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whose cases were coming up in court on the two days respectively.

    This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Saturday and circulated to journalists, the spokesman for the group, Comrade Emma Powerful noted that, “the attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to a purported voice note ordering Biafrans and residents of Biafraland to sit at home on a date other than May 18th.

    This is the hand work of Nigerian paid agents and should be totally ignored”.

    According to Powerful, IPOB is not a faceless movement and does not announce its activities through voice messages. Biafrans must be very much at alert because the Nigerian government is working through its security agencies the DSS and the BBC are trying so hard to create confusion in our land in attempt to set Biafrans against themselves and scuttle our struggle for liberation.

    ” But we assure them that Biafrans know their plans and will not fall for their evil agenda.

    “Like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said, if you did not hear it on radio Biafra then it is not from IPOB. IPOB announce its activities and events only through official channels which are (i)Radio Biafra (ii) Press Statement from Emma Powerful (office of IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary) and (iii) Memo from the Office of IPOB Head of Directorate. To this end therefore the only Sit-At- Home order emenating and announced by IPOB leadership are the 18th and 26th of May, 2022 being the dates our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU will appear in court. The IPOB leadership is very strategic in its actions and directives to the Biafran people knowing fully well that our enemies are desperate to scuttle this heaven ordained freedom movement.”

    The spokesman noted that “those behind the purported voice note should go inform their pay masters to stop dissipating their energy and resources on a hopeless attempt to stop the collective will and decision of the Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB worldwide to pursue our Self Determination Right.

    “Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom across the world and especially in Biarraland should therefore pay no heed to faceless DSS agents and impostors recruited to serve the interest of Fulani Caliphate.”