The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: IPOB

  • NECO Examination holds, as IPOB insists on sit at home order.

    NECO Examination holds, as IPOB insists on sit at home order.

    Today, according to the timetable of the National Examination Council (NECO), the subject to be written is Mathematics. This necessitated the suspension of the sit-at-home order by Kanunta, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother. “IPOB, having realized the academic deprivation the already marginalized Biafra students who entered for this year’s NECO would suffer, decided to suspend the sit-at-home order to a later date, to allow the students take their examinations. Allowing the sit-at-home to go ahead as earlier announced, in the face of the NECO Exam, would amount to assisting enemies of Biafra to inflict more injuries on her children” Kanunta said.

    In a swift reaction, the spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful, insisted that the sit-at-home order still stands, maintaining that Kanunta had no right to suspend the order.

    In all of these, the fate of Southeast students who are supposed to partake in the National Examination remain hanging. It has been gathered that the NECO Examination will proceed throughout the Federation. A school Proprietor based in Enugu who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said he called an Enugu NECO official and they confirmed that the examination will still hold throughout the Federation. When he asked the official what would become of the students in the Southeast, the official reported that no order to suspend the exam was given, as the other parts of the country see it as an opportunity to be ahead of the Southeast. “Some of our staff and invigilators can’t find public transport to go to the office, pick and distribute examination questions for the different schools that should participate in the exam. I have seen some students trekking to school this morning too” she said.

    When asked if the NECO Examination will be suspended seeing the effect of the sit-at-home order, through a text message by our correspondent, the Enugu State Honorable Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze responded “NECO is a national examination and not within the authority of the State to suspend. However report shows IPOB suspended the sit at home order”.

    It remains uncertain what would happen as the day continues to unfold, seeing the importance of Mathematics to having a good SSCE result.

  • Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB splits over sit-at-home order.

    Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB splits over sit-at-home order.

    As some parts of Enugu and Anambra are reported to have been deserted.

    The planned sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) scheduled to commence today has split the pro-Biafra community.

    The pro-Biafra group had penultimate week, in solidarity with its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, ordered a sit-at-home that would be observed every Monday throughout Igboland, until his trial would end.

    While the organisation’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said there was no going back on it, a family member of the embattled leader of the group, Kanunta Kanu, said the exercise has been suspended due to ongoing National Examination Council (NECO) examination for junior secondary schools.

    But Powerful, in a statement yesterday, said Kanu’s brother who issued the statement is not IPOB’s spokesman and therefore should be ignored.

    “Kanu brother is not IPOB spokesperson and anybody who listens to that deceptive statement and obligated to such statement by coming out tomorrow (today) will get it hot.”

    Powerful reiterated the directive is sacrosanct and will hold as scheduled from 6am to 6pm.

    “The entire Biafraland will be locked down every Monday from 6am to 6pm beginning from today until our leader, Kanu, who was abducted in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria and locked up in Department of State Services (DSS) dungeon in clear violation of international laws, is freed.

    “Consequently, there will be no movement throughout Biafra land on Mondays until our leader who is suffering for our freedom is released. This protest is peaceful but firm. Everybody is advised to stay indoors in total compliance,” he said.

    But a statement by IPOB’s leader’s younger brother said a new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home order would be announced later.

    Kanunta said having realised the academic deprivation the already marginalised Biafra students who entered for this year’s NECO would suffer, it decided to suspend the sit-at-home order to a later date, to allow the students take their examinations. He equally made it clear that allowing the sit-at-home to go ahead as earlier announced, in the face of the NECO examination, would amount to assisting enemies of Biafra to inflict more injuries on its children.

    This came as Anambra and Abia governments warned workers, especially the civil servants and residents not to obey the sit-at-home directive.

    Anambra Head of Service, Harry Udu, in a statement, yesterday, made it clear that any worker who failed to be on duty would face severe sanctions, including seizure of August salary and directed commissioners and permanent secretaries of various ministries to monitor compliance and report same accordingly.

    “The government of Anambra State has directed that all workers in the state must attend to their duties today as failure to do so will result in severe sanctions, including loss of salary for August. “All commissioners and permanent secretaries are to monitor and report compliance. Give this information the widest publicity in your establishment,” the government said in the statement.

    Similarly, Abia government asked residents to disregard the IPOB order. The government’s directive contained in a statement issued in Umuahia by Commissioner for Information, Okiyi Kalu, said adequate security had been provided to ensure safety of lives and property in all parts of the state.

    He said it made no economic sense to order traders to sit at home, while they are struggling to fend for their families under COVID-19 and the attendant harsh economy.

    He further warned that compelling the children to stay away from schools would be counter-productive and capable of retarding their progress academically.

    The commissioner, however, noted that it would not compel anyone wishing to sit-at-home for any reason whatsoever not to do so.

    “As citizens have freedom of movement under the extant constitution, we wish to strongly advice that nobody should also compel or enforce any sit-at-home order from any non-state actor. Doing so will not serve any known interest of the people of the state.”

    Meanwhile, a resident of Nnewi in Anambra reached out to The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine correspondent stating that in Nnewi, cars are being destroyed this morning by IPOB. Abakpa and Agbani Road looks deserted as at the time of filing this report. More details as happenings unfold.

  • Kanu’s trial: IPOB suspends sit-at-home order

    Kanu’s trial: IPOB suspends sit-at-home order

    The planned sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) scheduled to have commenced tomorrow (Monday) has been suspended due to the just began National Examination Council (NECO) Exam for junior secondary schools.

    A new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home order, IPOB said would be announced later.

    The pro Biafra group had penultimate week, in what appeared to be in solidarity with it’s detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, ordered for sit-at-home that would be observed every Monday throughout Igbo land, starting from August 9, until when his trial would end.

    However, in a statement the IPOB leader’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu said the group arrived at the decision, after listening to pleas from well meaning individuals and groups within and outside Biafra land that the order be suspended to allow students from Igbo land to participate in the NECO Exam.

    “IPOB has listened to pleas from well-meaning individuals and groups within and outside Biafra land that we consider the fate of our children who will be involved in the NECO Exam and based on that, we decided to shift grounds over the sit-at-home order”.

    The statement added that IPOB on its part, having realized the academic deprivation the already marginalized Biafra students who entered for this year’s NECO would suffer, decided to suspend the sit-at-home order to a later date, to allow the students take their exams.

    Kanu equally made it clear that allowing the sit-at-home to go ahead as earlier announced, in the face of the NECO Exam would amount to assisting enemies of Biafra to inflict more injuries on her children.

    “As a group fighting for the liberation of her people from oppression from her enemies, we realized that it would amount to assisting the said enemies to inflict more harm on our children if we do not suspend the sit-at-home order to allow Biafra students take their exams”.

    While making it clear the sit-at-home order has not been cancelled, but only suspended for the sake of Biafra students taking this year’s NECO Exam, the statement called on all IPOB global family members and Biafrans at large to await further directives in this regard. (Sunnewsonline)

  • President Buhari could arrest Kanu and Igboho, but couldn’t use the same tactics to tackle bandits, boko haram, marauding herdsmen

     

     

     

    The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union has carpeted the Federal Government over the arrest and detention of activists across the country.

     

    The umbrella body of the Southern Kaduna people urged the government to deploy the same tactics adopted in the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, in tackling the rampaging bandits in the North.

    SOKAPU’s National President, Jonathan Asake, stated this while addressing journalists in Kaduna on Thursday.

     

    The SOKAPU leader also alleged that over 100 natives had so far been killed in communities in the Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of the state recently.

     

    According to him, the government must stop the use of force on mere agitators, while pampering terrorists in the North.

     

    Asake, a former House of Representatives member, said, “Again, this year, with the commencement of another rainy season, the onslaughts have resumed, which coincide with the period when our farming communities need to be on their farms.

     

    “With particular reference are the recent attacks on communities in Zangon Kataf LGA, where no fewer than 100 persons have been massacred within seven days, 12 villages completely decimated and over 90 per cent of Atyap land deserted by inhabitants over fears of frightening uncertainties.

     

     

     

    “It is sadly unbelievable that 10 days after these massacres and displacement in our communities from all observable indices, there appears to be a conspiracy of silence or a deliberate attempt by the government to downplay the severity of the atrocities and genocides being perpetrated by these attackers across our communities.”

     

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    On attacks and kidnapping in the North, Asake added, “We are convinced beyond doubt that the government has a capacity to combat these daredevil bandits, who have made life unbearable for our communities.

     

    “If the government could lure the Benue militant, Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana, out of his hideout in September 2020, and later killed him; if they could trace Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to Kenya and blindfold him to Nigeria in June 2021; if they could trace Sunday Igboho to Cotonou and arrest him just a few days ago; and if they could smoke out the commander of the Eastern Security Network, Ikonso, and later kill him in April 2021, then, it clearly shows that the government has enough capacity to deal with the situation.

     

    “We find it strange to explain how the government is unwilling to tackle banditry and kidnappings in the North, but at the same time hasty in deploying full intelligence and military force against southern and Middle Belt activists, who are engaged in one form of agitation, criminality or otherwise.

     

    “Even when these bandits brought down an air force jet last Sunday, July 19, at the border between Zamafa and Kaduna states, thereby challenging the sovereignty of our country, the government has not shown enough action to tackle the dangers posed by bandits and insurgents, who have now acquired anti-aircraft launchers and sophisticated weapons.

     

    “The survival, unity and progress of the Nigerian state are more threatened by the untamed atrocities of these northern bandit groups and armed Fulani herdsmen more than the actions of the Kanus, Igbohos and Terwases of the southern and Middle Belt regions.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Facilitate Nnamdi Kanu’s release- IPOB, Ohanaeze

     

    Igbo leaders in the United Kingdom have demanded immediate and unconditional release of leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.

     

    The group which also flayed the rendition of Kanu, a British citizen to Nigeria for trial, also demanded that he should be paid full compensation for kidnap, torture, rendition and illegal detention.

     

     

    They further called on the international community to impose economic and other diplomatic sanctions on the Nigerian government including its principal officers for their blatant human rights breaches, violations, corruption and acts of genocide against Nigerians, if adequate and acceptable correctional measures were not implemented within a reasonable timeframe.

     

    Text of a press conference in UK by President, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, UK Dr Nnanna Igwe, Coordinator, Congress of Igbo Leaders (CIL) UK, Obi Okoli, Leader, Council of Igbo Community (CIC) UK, Alex Coker Ezemakam and Chairman, Ogbako Ndi Igbo, UK, Dr Jude Eze, also read: “We are united in our condemnation and rejection of the security status quo in Igboland and Nigeria.

     

    “We demand of the Federal Government an immediate withdrawal of its deadly troops from the South East region of Nigeria.

     

     

     

    “We ask that they put a stop to the senseless killings of Nigerian Christians including Igbo youths. There is no justification whatsoever for this mindless madness. Consequently, we view continued slaughtering of Igbo youths as a disguised attempt at ethnic cleansing; the youths are the future. And ours cannot be wasted.

     

    “We request the Federal Government to take urgent remedial steps to institute a comprehensive national dialogue, aimed primarily at resolving the apparent imbalances and injustices within the polity. It’s our considered thought that the lopsided federal systems and structure if unresolved and quickly too, could feed more civil unrest and erode confidence in politicians.

     

    “We fully and wholeheartedly support the clarion calls for a truthful restructuring of the country to a functional fiscal federalism with meaningful political and economic powers devolved to the regions,” the group stated.

     

    The coalition said it was mobilising for the ‘London mega 2 peaceful rally’ slated for Saturday, July 24, at London UK Trafalgar Square, to call for Kanu’s release and push for a stop to genocide in the South East of Nigeria.

     

    President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Ireland, stated that there would be visits to the British Parliament, No 10 Downing Street; the United States Embassy, Nigerian High Commission and the Commonwealth  headquarters, London.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • British Law Firm seeks Nnamdi Kanu’s consent to take up his case

     

    The British High Commission and a law firm in London, Bindmans, have sought the consent of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to take up his case.

     

    The PUNCH gathered on Thursday that Kanu’s Nigerian lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, delivered two forms to the IPOB leader on Wednesday during a visit to the office of the Department of State Services, where he is being detained.

    Ejimakor told our correspondent that the development would open up a new chapter in the trial of Kanu, adding that the Nigerian government would be served with summons to bring him to the United Kingdom, where another case would be heard over the manner of his rendition to Nigeria.

     

    He said, “I went to visit him on Wednesday and went with two forms. One was the consular consent form that the British High Commission required that he signs to consent to consular assistance. There was also a form from his counsel in the UK. The firm is known as Bindmans, one of the largest law firms in the UK.

     

    “The forms will open a whole new chapter of legality, including the filing of a Writ of Mandamus, against the Nigerian government in a UK court to compel it to produce Kanu, because his detention is illegal under the British law. It was an extraordinary rendition, which is an international crime by which a state kidnaps a suspect or a fugitive without the due process of law.

     

    “They will be filing all these processes in the UK and there is a prospect of a UK court assuming universal jurisdiction or extra-territorial jurisdiction and reaching into Kenya so that they can arrest every Kenyan official, either authorised or not, and every Nigerian official involved in this case.”

     

    The lawyer noted that the DSS collected the forms, saying they must first go through the vetting of its legal unit.

     

     

     

    He said despite being told that he would collect them on Thursday, he had yet to be contacted by the government agency.

     

    Ejimakor said during his three-hour meeting, the IPOB leader gave a vivid account of how the Nigerian government hired agents, who abducted and flew him into the country.

     

    While quoting Kanu, he said the IPOB leader was blindfolded and flown on a private jet without any extradition hearing or immigration process.

     

    He stated, “Kanu said he was flown to Abuja in a private jet on Sunday, June 27, 2021, from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, and that he was the lone passenger.

     

    “He was blindfolded and driven to the tarmac very close to the plane without passing through the airport immigration.

     

    “The plane departed Nairobi around 12pm and arrived in Abuja in the evening.

     

    “Kanu was tortured and subjected to untold cruel and inhuman treatment in Kenya. He said his abductors disclosed to him that they abducted him at the behest of the Nigerian government.

     

     

    “The people that abducted him said they were told by their sponsors that Kanu was a Nigerian terrorist linked to Islamic terrorists in Kenya, presumably Al-Shabab. But after several days when they discovered his true identity, they tended to treat him less badly.

     

    “Despite that, they told him they felt committed to hand him over to those that hired them.

     

    “According to Kanu, no warrant of arrest was shown to him or even mentioned to him. And for the eight days, he was held incommunicado, nothing of presenting him before a court or transferring him to an official detention facility was ever mentioned. He was held in a nondescript private facility and chained to a bare floor.

     

    “Kanu was interviewed for the first time in my presence by three DSS officers. The interview was revealing as it contained certain new allegations that were never heard of before. But all the questions relate directly or indirectly to his status as the leader of IPOB.”

     

    The counsel said despite  his client’s ordeal, he was in high spirit.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Imo IPOB raid: Two arrested

     

    Two suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed security outfit of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have been taken into police custody in Imo.

     

    They were arrested after a shootout with police who raided their hideout at Emekeukwu in Owerri North council area of the state.

     

    The raid was carried out on Wednesday.

    Several other suspected members of the group were wounded, police spokesman Michael Abattam said in a statement yesterday.

     

     

    He said tactical teams stormed the notorious hideout after gathering of intelligence on the suspects’ activities.

     

    Abattam said two persons Chibuike Iheukwu, 18, of Inyishi Ikeduru council, and Jidechi Akakem, 26, of Umuchoke Orji in Owerri North council were apprehended while others escaped.

     

     

    Three locally-made pistols with 14 rounds of cartridges and substances suspected to be hard drugs were recovered from the suspects.

     

    Upon interrogation, he said, one of the suspects, Akakem, who has been on the police wanted list, confessed to be a gang member of the late Joseph Uka Nnachi aka King of Dragons.

     

    Akakem was said to have also admitted being among those who attacked Orji Police Station.

     

    Abattam said both suspects admitted to be members of the Vikings confraternity allegedly headed by one Emmanuel Anyanwu aka Walking Skeleton, suspected to have supplied them with the guns and cartridges allegedly used in killing one Sir Vitalis Onuwa.

     

    The police spokesman said there were efforts to arre st other fleeing suspects.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonlineng.net

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s Apprehension: If only the authorities could pay attention to and curb Insecurities in the South and other parts of the Country like this

     

    THE arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra by the Federal Government has attracted mixed reactions from various groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum, who urged the Federal Government to be cautious in handle the IPOB leader’s issue.

     

    The reactions came just as the British government said Kanu was not arrested in the United Kingdom or extradited from England.

     

    Also, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, be remanded in the detention of the Department of State Service.

     

    Justice Binta Nyako gave the order while granting the application by the prosecution.

     

    The counsel for the prosecution, S. M. Labaran, applied to the court to remand Kanu in custody.

     

    Labaran also applied that the trial of Kanu that was earlier slated for October 20 be brought forward.

     

    Kanu, who appeared without legal representation told the court that his house was earlier invaded. So, he had to go underground.

     

     

     

    The court ordered that Kanu be remanded in DSS facility and adjourned his matter till July 26 and 27.

     

    The court also ordered for accelerated hearing and asked the prosecution to inform Kanu’s lawyer of the proceeding in court.

     

    Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, told our correspondent that he did not see his client until he left the court premises.

     

    Also present at the court premises was Omoyele Sowore, who told our correspondent that he had just come to the court when he heard that Kanu was appearing in court.

     

    According to him, he stood in solidarity with Kanu as he had been in similar situation.

     

    Earlier at a press conference, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had confirmed Kanu’s arrest.

     

    Kanu not arrested in UK – British Govt

     

     

    Responding to questions from one of our correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, the spokesman, British High Commission in Nigeria, Dean Hurlock, said, ‘We are aware of reports that Nnamdi Kanu has been detained in Nigeria by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

     

    “We can confirm that Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested in the UK for extradition purposes.”

     

    How Interpol arrested Nnamdi Kanu while seeking countries’ support for Biafra

     

    Meanwhile, Kanu was apprehended by the International Criminal Police while seeking foreign support for the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.

     

    The PUNCH gathered that Kanu, who holds Nigerian and British passports, was arrested by security operatives outside his London base on Sunday.

     

    He had been declared wanted by the Federal Government since 2017 after he jumped bail following the invasion of his country home in Abia State by soldiers.

     

    A source disclosed that Kanu was arrested while leaving Israel for an unknown country but this could not be independently verified on Tuesday.

     

     

     

    The source stated, “The request for the arrest of Kanu was made to the INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, about two months ago. Kanu could not be arrested at his London base because he is a British citizen and repatriating him to Nigeria may be challenging and the process cumbersome.

     

    “So, the security agencies waited patiently for him to leave the British soil before moving against him; he was arrested while on transit. There was evidence of his meetings with foreign governments to solicit support for Biafra.”

     

    The source also referenced the suspension of Twitter by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who justified his action by stating that Kanu used his Twitter account with 300,000 followers “to instruct his loyalists to kill Nigerian soldiers and police officers”.

     

    Another source corroborated that Kanu was nabbed while on transit but said he could not confirm the exact location.

     

    “The Nigerian government used conventional diplomatic means to facilitate the arrest of Kanu through the INTERPOL. There are also suggestions that our intelligence agencies played a role in the arrest and extradition process. It was confirmed that Kanu was picked up while on transit but the location cannot be immediately confirmed,” the source volunteered.

     

    As part of strategies to arrest the separatist group leader, the President was said to have met with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, in May during a summit on the financing of African post-COVID economies convened by the French government, where he sought Macron and INTERPOL’s support for the arrest of Kanu.

     

    Handle Kanu’s case with caution, ACF counsels FG

     

     

    In a related development, the pan-northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, has cautioned the Federal Government to handle the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, with care.

     

    According to the ACF, the best way out was for the government to keep strictly to the rule of law in handling the matter.

     

    This, the ACF said, was because the IPOB leader had the support of international arm dealers with the capacity to destroy the country.

     

    This was just as the Coalition of Northern Groups said it received the news of the arrest and repatriation of the fugitive rebel, Nnamdi Kanu, with mixed feelings of apprehension and appreciation.

     

    The CNG hailed the Federal Government and security agencies that made the arrest possible, “particularly the International Police and authorities of the United Kingdom for honouring their obligations with Nigeria.”

     

    Both the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, and the spokesperson of the CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, made the positions of the two northern bodies known in a statement released in Kaduna on Tuesday.

     

    “The best way out is to keep strictly to the rule of law. Kanu and his collaborators must be made to understand that Nigeria is not a failed state and the rule of law still exists here,” the forum said.

     

     

     

    The statement added, “For now, we do not have details of the immediate circumstances leading to his arrest. We do not even know where he was arrested whether in Nigeria or outside.

     

    “We, however, know that the man has no respect for the country called Nigeria and has vowed to destroy the country. Sadly, he enjoys collaboration of some Nigerians who for some reasons want the country destroyed.

     

    “He also enjoys the support of international arm dealers who know that he has the capacity to cause a war to break out in Africa’s most populous country and biggest economy.”

     

    On their part, the CNG said it remained apprehensive until the the full course of justice took effect on Kanu.

     

    The CNG added, “In addition, he must now face additional charges of incitement to violence and killings of people of other ethnicities, particularly northerners, security personnel as a result of his open incitement.

     

    “More importantly, we don’t see Kanu’s arrest affecting the issue of Biafra. While he faces trial hopefully, the CNG is insisting that this is the right time to tackle the Biafran issue once for all.

     

    “We stand our ground that a referendum must be held to determine this and all other agitations for self-determination from any part of the country.”

     

     

    Archbishop alleges Kanu trapped with woman

     

    Reacting to his arrest, Archbishop of Enugu Provence, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, welcomed his arrest and described it as good development.

     

    The fiery cleric accused IPOB leader of jumping bail, adding that he didn’t appreciate Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and others who secured his bail.

     

    He said, “Rather, when he was abroad, he was instigating people to cause confusion. We warned him several times to stop that. It’s not only that; we felt that if you are a leader and you are part of the problem of Nigeria, you should come down here, so we can discuss with others on how to solve the problem.

     

    Chukwuma, while describing Kanu as a weak leader, alleged that IPOB leader, “played into the hands of Nigerian Intelligence Agency, who set him up with a woman from London to Brazil, where he was arrested and then tranquilised to the point of bringing him to Nigeria.

     

    “That shows irresponsibility. How can a woman and tranquiliser be a way of catching you if you are really a very strong leader? I feel disappointed in him because they lured him out of London to Brazil with a woman. It’s a shame.”

     

    Adebanjo faults foreign country over Kanu’s arrest

     

     

     

    But the acting leader of the apex socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has faulted the arrest of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

     

    Adebanjo said the foreign country was not supposed to have handed over Kanu to the Nigerian government while he was enjoying a political asylum.

     

    He said this on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting held at his Sanya-Ogbo,  Ijebu-Ode residence.

     

    When asked to react to the arrest and prosecution of Kanu, Adebanjo said. “Anybody fighting for revolution must be ready for that; I was also a victim of treasonable felony. They tried some of us; what the British did, they did for Action Group when they repatriated Chief (Anthony) Enahoro.

     

    “They didn’t do it while we were in Ghana, the government there protected us. He (Kanu) had been giving asylum, they then sent him back. It is wrong and improper, having granted him asylum, to hand him over to his enemy, I condemn it…”

     

    IPOB counsel urges FG to guarantee his safety

     

    In another development, the Indigenous People of Biafra has confirmed the arrest of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

     

     

    This was contained in a statement by IPOB/Nnamdi Kanu lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Tuesday.

     

    Ejiofor, in the statement, demanded that Kanu’s fundamental rights must be respected while in custody.

     

    “We have just confirmed through correspondence from the Federal High Court, Abuja, the arrest and the extradition of my client, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the Nigerian State.

     

    “It is to be noted, therefore, that no matter the gravity of the offences or charge preferred against him, Section 36(5) of the Constitution still presumes him innocent of the allegation. The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date.

     

    “We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial, which is his constitutionally protected right. His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards should be enforced.

     

    “Our fortified legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies within the context of the charge and disposition of the court. Await further updates from us as we progress,” part of the statement read.

     

    Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest may trigger nationwide protest – Igbo group

     

     

     

    Meanwhile, the Igbo National Council has described the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra as a “rude shock”.

     

    The group in a statement issued in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday by its National President, Chilos Godsent, said that the arrest of Kanu might trigger protest in most parts of the country if the Federal Government failed to handle the issue with caution.

     

    The statement, which was tagged ‘Re: Arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: A mistake of the biggest order by the Nigerian Government, asks government to seek peaceful means in handing the issue’.

     

    Uneasy calm in Abia over Kanu’s arrest

     

    However, it was an atmosphere of uneasy calm in Abia as the news of the arrest and extradition of IPOB’s leader by the Federal Government filtered into the state.

     

    A resident of Umuahia who chose to speak on condition of anonymity said, “Ndigbo are finished”, adding that the news came to him as “a rude shock”.

     

    Another resident asked, “Is it what will be done and there will be peace?”

     

     

    It was also gathered that residents of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, were unusually quiet over the issue, “especially as most of them have yet to hear the news”.

     

    However, the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders said, in a statement by its President General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, and the Secretary General, Kanice Igwe, said, “The Fulani herdsmen kill, rape and maim indigenes of southern Nigerian on daily basis and none of them has been arrested or prosecuted by the Nigerian security agencies.

     

    “Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest is a direct question to Ndigbo that “how dare you speak when we kill, maim and rape your women.”

     

    In Anambra, most people, who spoke with one of our correspondent on condition of anonymity hailed his arrest.

     

    A source said, “It serves him right. He has always lacked tact. This happens to those who don’t listen to advice. The manner of his arrest must have humbled him after all his boasts. Pride always goes before a fall. I think what I just couldn’t stand about him was his arrogance.”

     

    Another respondent said, “Now that the supreme leader has been captured, what happens to the numerous supporters? Unknown gunmen on my mind!

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • The President that describes a particular tribe as a dot in the circle

    De facto Customary Government of Biafra, led by Asari Dokubo, has flayed President Muhammadu Buhari for describing Igbo as a dot in a circle.

     

    The group, in a statement by the Head of Information and Communication, Uche Mefor, said the president’s statement clearly demonstrated his intent for a genocidal action against Ndigbo.

     

     

     

    Mefor said: “President Buhari’s statement that the Igbo (whom he referred to as Indigenous People of Biafra are ‘a dot in the circle’ is an unfortunate manifestation of his insatiable desire, genocidal intent and ethnic cleansing of the Igbo Biafrans.”

     

    He said the ongoing militarisation of the entire Igboland and the launch of operation restore peace in both South South and South East is a recipe for his commencement of that genocide and crimes against humanity which he alleged could not complete between 1967 and 1970.

     

    “This is also reminiscent of the description by Leon Mugesera of the Tutsis in Rwanda as ‘cockroaches’ that must be exterminated in the build up to the horrific genocide in that country in 1994.

     

     

     

    “This existential threat which Buhari represents to the entire population is not only for the Igbo in South East but everybody in the South South and should be ignored to the consternation and chagrin of all.

     

    “That is why it is not going to be taken for granted. Hence, self-preservation which is the greatest unconscious and innate human response to danger remains the safest fallback for the population of both the South East and South South.”

     

    Mefor, therefore, called for the collaboration of the South South and South East against the threat by the president.

     

    “The unity of these two regions of Biafra at this particular point in time cannot be overemphasised. All stakeholders and particularly the political class must stand with their people and defend their collective interest.

     

    “They must think beyond 2023 and save themselves from the impending genocide and crimes against humanity. Let us make that sacrifice and make sure South East and South South are protected and insulated from t he invaders,” he said.

  • IPOB in a bid to enforce the anti open grazing law in south east geo political zone

     

     

     

    THE Indigenous People of Biafra on Monday said its security arm, the Eastern Security Network, would soon commence the enforcement of the Anti-Grazing law in the South-East geo-political zone.

     

    This was as the Igbo National Council expressed its support for IPOB’s call on the South-East governors to halt open grazing by Fulani herdsmen in the South-East.

     

    Kanu in the statement specifically said IPOB’s security outfit would commence enforcement of anti-grazing law in two weeks.

     

    The proscribed group noted that it would no longer tolerate any form of killings by Fulani herdsmen in the zone, adding that such will never happen again in the land of, “The Rising Sun.”

     

    The secessionist group stated this in a statement personally signed by its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful.

     

    According to the statement, “If you are one of the #Zoo animals suffering from an advanced form of Stockholm syndrome, may it kill you there. We in the East are not, have never been and can never be slaves to any bunch of retards. Ask the British.

     

    “We won’t tolerate any iota of killer Fulani herdsmen menace in the East. You may be comfortable with your wretched Fulanised existence where you are but we won’t live with that rubbish in the land of the Rising Sun. Where were you when our people were being slaughtered, raped and kidnapped in Isiukwuato?

     

    “In less than two weeks, #ESN will commence the full enforcement of Nigeria’s Anti-Grazing Law in the East. Turn into a cow then and see what shall become of you. You are about to understand how determined we are. You have the temerity to talk about monopoly of violence?

     

    “The era of Biafrans crying and lamenting to EU and UN has come and gone. The Dragon Flag has been raised! If you don’t know what it means, go and ask.

     

    “Yap all you like, there is no going back. You #Zoo animals are about to witness the type of madness you never knew existed. Aisha Yusuf.”

    ‌

    Speaking, Emma Powerful, said Aisha Yusuf, an activist from the North, entered into IPOB’s bad book for saying the group has no monopoly of violence.

     

    Igbo group back IPOB

    Meanwhile, a group, Igbo National Council, has said that it was backing the call by IPOB on South-East governors to end open grazing by Fulani herdsmen in the South-East zone.

     

     

    The INC’s National President, Chilos Godsent, urged the South-East governors to emulate their South-West counterparts, who opposed the activities of the Fulani herdsmen said that the herdsmen should not be  allowed any field in the region.

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com