Peoples Democratic Party. PDP, stalwart and ex minster of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has said that he has just received a call from Nnamdi Kanu the leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB who on Friday was seen in Jerusalem in Israel praying.
Fani-Kayode in an email said
‘I just received a call from my brother Nnamdi Kanu. I am delighted that he is alive and well. I commend his strength and courage even as I marvel at the loyalty, resilience and commitment of his lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor and IPOB. We have agreed to work together to VOTE Buhari out.’
Kanu went missing in September last year after the military invaded his home in Abia state and there had not been any trace of him until now.
He was declared missing by his community in Abia state, after the alleged “Operation Python Dance II” operation by the Nigerian Army in the South East.
Many relatives of Kanu had also been allegedly declared missing by the Afara community in Umuahia following the invasion of his home by the Nigerian army.
A lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who heads the legal team of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, said on Saturday that he has spoken with his client after a video clip of the IPOB leader praying in Jerusalem surfaced on the internet on Friday.
Ejiofor, in a statement on Saturday, confirmed that Kanu would address the public in a world press conference to be beamed live on Sunday to narrate “the shocking tale of how he made it alive”.
This came ahead of the November 14 scheduled for hearing in Kanu’s trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and others who stood bail sureties for the IPOB leader in April last year, are expected to return to the court presided by Justice Binta Nyako to show cause why they should not be made to lose their N100m bail bonds which they entered into to secure Kanu’s bail, if they are unable to produce the IPOB leader.
Also, a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, whom Ejiofor had caused to be summoned by the court for insisting that Kanu had escaped to London, is also expected in court at the next hearing date.
Kanu was being prosecuted by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja before he went missing on September 14, 2017, following a military invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu in Umuahia, Abia State.
The military invasion took place during the last year’s ‘Operation Python Dance II’ staged by the military to quell the agitation for the cessation of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.
IPOB, had through a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, confirmed on Friday that the person seen in the video was its leader at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, where he joined other faithful to offer prayers.
AWKA – The Anambra Government has said that it will sanction staff of the civil service who fail to report to the office on May 30 in compliance with the IPOB sit at home order. IPOB members.
The directive for workers to return to work after may 29 Democracy Day celebration was contained in a circular issued from the office of Mr Harry Uduh, Head of Service in the state.
The government asked permanent secretaries and heads of departments and agencies to monitor the situation and report accordingly. According to the memo, the
“Governor of Anambra has directed that work resumes on Wednesday, 30th May after the Public Holiday on 29th May.
“All Public Servants must, therefore, report to their duty posts on Wednesday and the rest of the week.
“Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies should monitor and report compliance unfailingly. Pls circulate to all your staff,” it said.
In a related development, C-Don Adinuba, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in Anambra, said the state government had not declared public holiday on May 30.
Adinuba, in a statement, therefore called on public servants therefore, to return to work.
“All Ndi Anambra are enjoined to freely engage in all their lawful businesses, without fear of molestation.
“Our state remains not only the safest but also the most peaceful and socially harmonious state in Nigeria,” he said.
NAN
Anxiety, panic and fears engulfed most parts of the Southeastern states yesterday ahead of today’s sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in honour of Biafran heroes who died during the civil war and in the cause of the struggle for the restoration of Biafra state.
In Enugu State, there was heavy security presence in all the strategic points in the state capital, while fighter jets were hovering the state. Regardless, members of the Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) have vowed to go ahead with their planned declaration of Biafra today.
The group spoke through its self-acclaimed President, Benjamin Onwuka.
He said:
“Fighter jets deployed by the Federal Government are hovering everywhere in Enugu State. The agenda is simple, to intimidate and instill fear in us and our members.
“But, we want to make it clear that we cannot be intimidated; that era is gone. Should anything happen to any of our members tomorrow (today), all those involved will pay dearly for it.
“Nigeria is already in panic. Buhari is in serious fear. You can see them flying fighter jets all over; this is what is called intimidation. They have failed.”
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, has warned that the police will not tolerate any act or omission by any person or groups under any guise to disrupt the existing peace in the state.
The commissioner, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said:
“Any person or group of persons caught in any habit or omission capable of disrupting the existing peace in the state will be made to face the full weight of the law.”
The security around the government House, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army headquarters and state police headquarters have been heavily guarded with fierce-looking security operatives.
There were also fears and anxiety in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, as IPOB had insisted there was no going on the call to remain indoors when they marched through the major streets and roads in Onitsha on Monday, instilling fear on residents and traders.
Daily Sun gathered that the Onitsha main market witnessed a crowd of people rushed to make last-minute purchase for fear of what may happen today.
A market leader in Anambra State, who did not want his name in prints, said:
“We are going to open our markets and traders should open their shops for business. There is no way the pro-Biafra group will force us to close our businesses, because they are doing anniversary.”
A trader Mr. John Nwokedi said he will not come out today due for fear of the unknown as he recalled past experience where some hoodlums seized the opportunity to loot and attack people who opened their shops for business.
A commercial driver Mr. Emeka Odim said:
“I’m going to obey the sit-at-home order; I’m not going to bring my vehicle out tomorrow (today) because I am a Biafran, and I believe in civil disobedience to tell our leaders in this country that we are not one and they should allow us to go.”
Meanwhile, the leadership of IPOB in Ebonyi State, yesterday, dared the Governor David Umahi and vowed to implement today’s sit-at-home order in all parts of the state.
Deputy Coordinator of Biafra agitators in the state, Mr. Ugochukwu Nweke, made the avowal while reacting to the state government’s directive on the people of the state to ignore the order.
At a press briefing, on Monday, Governor Umahi’s Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, warned that shop owners who obey the order would have to forfeit their shops forever, as the government would take over such shops. He said the state government would not tolerate any plot to sabotage its efforts in ensuring the peace and safety of its people.
Similarly, Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has warned that any civil servant in the state who obeys the sit-at-home order by failing to be on his or her duty post today will be sanctioned.
Consequently, he has directed Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments and Agencies to monitor the attendance to duty of the workers today and report accordingly.
But, IPOB leadership in Ebonyi State wrote off the state government’s threat.
It said:
“Our activities will go on tomorrow (today) as planned all over the world, not only here, in Ebonyi. The government has no right, whatsoever, to takeover anybody’s shop on the grounds of closing their shops to obey the sit-at-home order.”
Regardless, Owerri, the Imo State capital, was calm yesterday ahead of today’s sit-at-home order. When Daily Sun monitored the situation in Owerri, yesterday, residents went about their lawful businesses as usual. On May 22, members of Movement for the Actualisation for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) had celebrated their own Biafra day with a street march. However, many members of the two groups were arrested by security agencies, but were later released.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command yesterday said the police and other security agents are battles ready to deal decisively with any pro-Biafra group that tries to disrupt the peace of the citizens today.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Garba Baba Umar, in a statement, urged the people to disregard alleged the sit-at-home order and go about their lawful businesses.
He said:
“For the avoidance of doubt IPOB is still a proscribed organisation, hence, all its activities remains illegal.
“The command will, therefore, not hesitate to deal decisively with, in accordance with the law, any individual or groups, under any guise, that will disrupt public peace in the state.”
Source
Sun News
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated that the Igbos were already observing the Wednesday’s sit-at-home order.
This is contained in a statement issued Tuesday night by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful.
He advised members of the public to shun the existence of a “non-existent and wholly fictitious IPOB National Secretariat” which advised people in the South-East region to ignore its directive.
Powerful said:
“We hereby warn the public to disregard such statements because they were fabricated by DSS and Lai Mohammed’s Ministry of Information to sow seeds of confusion in the minds of Biafrans who have started observing the order to sit at home from this evening.
“Enemies of Biafra in the north and traitors in Biafraland think that such childish gimmicks will sway the cast iron determination of Biafrans to observe the sit-at-home order as directed by our Directorate of State.
“For purposes of clarity, IPOB does not operate a national secretariat formula. What we have is the Directorate of State (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem.
“Every IPOB family member knows there is nothing like a ‘national secretariat’ in IPOB structure, so those behind this latest gimmick are wasting their time and will end up making a mockery of themselves.
“No amount of subterfuge, betrayal, treachery or outright sabotage by criminal elements set up by DSS calling themselves Biafra Coalition will derail our collective effort to honour our heroes with a sit at home.
“What this act of desperation confirms is that IPOB is on the right track as always and Nigeria jittery because despite Operation Python Dance that cost millions of dollars to execute, IPOB is today more formidable than ever.”
“We expect more outlandish statements from the defeated reprobates within Nigerian government and their agents in Biafraland but their antics doesn’t faze IPOB anymore. We are IPOB and 30th of May sit-at-home directive is sacrosanct,”
he said in the statement made available to Colossus Gists.
There was tension in Enugu and other major cities in the South-East on Monday over the planned celebration of the Biafra Day on Wednesday (today).
One of our correspondents in Enugu observed that many residents are worried over the possible breakdown of law and order on the day.
There are also concerns over possible clashes between pro-Biafran activists and security agents, a situation which residents fear could lead to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of property.
Feelers from other states in the zone also indicate a similar disposition among residents.
Pro-Biafran groups, including the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, called for the sit-at-home protest in order to celebrate the anniversary of the defunct Republic of Biafra on May 30, the date the breakaway state declared independence from Nigeria in 1967.
In 2017, the event was marked with a sit-at-home protest ordered by IPOB, which grounded commercial activities in major cities in the zone, as well as Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, and Asaba, in Delta State.
IPOB has again ordered a sit-at-home protest to mark this year’s ‘Biafra Day’, but the other major pro-Biafran groups have different plans.
MASSOB intends to commemorate the anniversary with lectures and a candlelight procession, while the Biafra Zionists Federation has announced plans to raise the flag of the defunct Republic of Biafra at the Enugu State Government House on that day.
In a bid to avert a possible breakdown of law and order, the troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have engaged in a ‘massive show of force’ by parading through major cities in the geopolitical zone in a long convoy of military vehicles.
Men of the 553 Base Services Group, Nigeria Airforce, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps are participating in the show of force.
The Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division, Col. Sagir Musa, explained that the parade of the heavily armed troops was “purely a show of force, aimed at sending a clear message to individuals or groups who intend to cause a breakdown of law and order.”
Musa added, “Law-abiding members of the public are enjoined not to worry about seeing a long convoy of military and paramilitary vehicles and equipment on selected locations across the South-East zone.”
The Enugu State Police Command has also declared its readiness to engage the pro-Biafran agitators.
On May 22, 32 members of the Biafra Independence Movement faction of MASSOB, who were marking their own ‘Biafra Day,’ were arrested while they were about to embark on a parade through Enugu metropolis.
The activists are currently in prison custody, having been remanded after they were arraigned before a magistrate court.
But the pro-Biafran groups have vowed to go ahead with their plans for the Biafra Day.
IPOB has vowed that the South-East and the South-South, as well as other states marked out for the exercise, would be locked down on Wednesday, May 30th.
The secessionist group said nothing would stop the sit-at-home protest.
The group has urged every family, kindred, village, clan and town in the South-East and the other designated areas to remain indoors from 6 pm on Tuesday, May 29, to 6 pm on May 30.
IPOB has warned the army and the police against interfering with the exercise.
“It will be crass insensitivity of the highest order for any police or army officer in the South-East to intrude upon our grief,” IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said in a statement.
The Biafra Zionists Federation, on the other hand, has vowed that ‘not even fighter jets’ would stop the plan to raise the Biafran flag at the Enugu State Government House on May 30.
The group, led by Mr. Benjamin Onwuka, a lawyer, had attempted to declare the ‘independence’ of Biafra in the past.
Onwuka was detained, and charged with treason, after leading some members of the BZF to invade the studios of Enugu State Broadcasting Service in a failed bid to announce the secession of Biafra on June 5, 2014.
A policeman was killed during the incident.
In July 2017, having been released from detention, he named himself ‘Interim President of Biafra’, and appointed some prominent Nigerians, including an economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and former information ministers, Jerry Gana and Labaran Maku, as members of the Biafran cabinet.
Onwuka has urged ‘Biafrans’ to ignore IPOB’s sit-at-home protest.
Rather, he urged them to converge on the Enugu Government House to witness the raising of the Biafran flag.
The spokesman for the Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, told one of our correspondents on Monday that the police had taken note of Onwuka’s comments, as well as IPOB’s declarations.
Amaraizu said the police are ready for the secessionists.
“We are ready for them,” he said.
But MASSOB and other pro-Biafran group have insisted that despite the influx of security men into the South-East, the groups will mark the 51st anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Biafra on May 30.
The groups said that no amount of intimidation by the security agencies would deter their members from going on with the planned anniversary.
A statement on Monday signed by MASSOB leader, Madu, Felix Anochirimonye of the Eastern People’s Congress, Rita Anibuogu of the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria and Innocent Amadi for Bile Human Rights Initiative, said that the celebration would start on May 29 with a candlelight procession.
His Excellency Governor Willie Obiano learnt with regret and emotion the news of the passing of Ogbueshi Joseph (Hannibal) Achuzia, Ikemba Asaba after a bout of illness.
This is the passing of a legend and a patriot of the highest order. A man of service and deep convictions whose exploits in the sands of time can never be forgotten by our people, both young and old. His Excellency recalls his personal sacrifices at trouble shooting in Igboland and the well being of our people in war and in peace.
On behalf of the people and Government of Anambra State, Governor Obiano commiserates with his brother, the Governor of Delta H.E. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Asagba in Council, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Nigerians on this monumental loss.
May his soul rest in peace
Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta
Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy
ABUJA – A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) seeking to compel the Chief of Army staff to produce the missing leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu.
The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako also over-ruled the appeal for lack of merit and proof, that the chief of army staff was indeed the last person seen with mister Nnamdi Kanu.
Counsel to IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had prayed the court to order the Chief of Army staff to produce his client claiming that no member of Kanu’s family had seen or heard from him since September 14th, 2017.
Opposing the motion, however, General Buratai through his counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, told the court that Kanu was not and had never been in the custody of the Nigerian army.
Ejiofor on October 17 during the trial told the court that he is looking for his client. He said he has filed a suit asking the court to compel the Nigerian Army to produce the leader of IPOB alleging that his disappearance is unconnected with the invasion of his home by the Nigerian Army on September 11, 2017. – CHANNELS TV
The governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, Chief Osita Chidoka has sent a strong a message to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.
Chidoka said they were not criminals, unemployed youths nor were they terrorists as some people have labeled them.
Chidoka made the statement at the grand finale of the governorship election campaign, today, Wednesday, at Onitsha, Anambra State.
According to him, “We ask that in the election of 18th November, the will of ndi Anambra be respected. And for that purpose, I have a message to our brothers and sisters; those who belong to the IPOB and MASSOB; you are not criminals, you are not unemployed youth and you are not terrorists. But we bring a message that the best way to agitate in a democracy is through a political process and a political party.
“At the flag-off of our campaign on September 31, 2017 at the historic city of Amorka, home of the famous Uli Airport; that historic Biafra airport that embodies the Igbo ingenuity and survival; we brought a message of hope, liberation and peace.
“We recalled that when our leader, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu was leaving, he promised to bring back peace to our land. Today, we bring the message of peace to the southeast, but the only way this peace will endure is if the will of the people of ndi Anambra is respected on the November 18 governorship election.
“Through the campaign, we have been encouraged by our people. The generality of ndi Anambra spoke with one voice in support of the UPP and we do not take that for granted.
“To their credit, we have run a robust campaign. We have the highest demography of supporters and volunteers across the nooks and crannies of Anambra state.
“As we speak, we have over 45,000 foot soldiers on the streets of Anambra engaging voters directly and converting them, and their number keeps growing by the day. We have over 400 experts in our situation room and call center constantly engaging voters all over Anambra state. We have people engaging on our mobile app; we have the highest social media network and the highest following in this election.
“Our message has reverberated, not only all over Anambra, but also all over the country and beyond. We have the highest number of people contributing financially to a campaign; we have the highest number of people listening to our message through multiple channels; we have the highest number of youth supporting a campaign. We have shown that we can do it. We have shown that we are the people to make Anambra state a great state.”
The Federal Government has replied to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s application seeking to withdraw as one of the sureties for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, describing the application as belated.
The government, in its counter-affidavit and written address filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja to oppose Abaribe’s request, told Abaribe that Kanu was in his custody and he had to produce him for the continuation of his trial.
It stated in its counter-affidavit that Abaribe was aware that Kanu “has long violated the bail conditions handed down by this honourable court” on April 24, 2017 before September 11 when he claimed to have lost contact with the defendant.
The counter-affidavit read in part, “That it was at this point at violating the conditions at the bail that the senator surety ought to surrender the 1st defendant and or bring up this application; “That this application is belated and ill-timed;
“The applicant failed to apply to the court timeously, stating on oath that the defendant bound by recognizance to appear before this court had violated the bail condition given by this court.”
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, argued in the written address that Abaribe “failed woefully” by allegedly aiding and abetting Kanu to flout his bail conditions.
The written address stated, “My lord, the surety has failed woefully to abide by the terms of the contract he entered into with this court and therefore cannot claim frustration.
“My lord, we urge that the court hold, that surety having refused to do what he ought to have done pursuant to section 174 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 aided and abetted the 1st defendant in the flouting of the bail conditions of this court and should forfeit the bond he entered into.”
Denying that Kanu was not in the custody of the Nigerian Army, the Federal Government stated in its counter-affidavit that the defendant remained in Abaribe’s custody.
“That the military activities in Abia State tagged ‘Operation Python Dance II’ was a routine exercise in its second year carried out by the military at the end of every year.
“That the 1st defendant is not in the custody of the Nigerian military or any other security agency in that regard.
“That the 1st defendant is in custody of the applicant (Abaribe).”
Kanu was absent from court when his case came up on October 17, 2017, but his co-defendants with whom he was being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony were produced in court by prison officials.
Abaribe’s lawyer, Ogechi Ogunna, informed the court of the motion by his client seeking to withdraw as Kanu’s surety but the judge said she would not hear it until the senator first produced the missing defendant.
She gave Abaribe and the two other sureties up till November 20 to produce the defendant in court.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra on Sunday insisted that the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari knew the whereabouts of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
It asked the government to produce Kanu without further delay in order not to provoke the group to go into armed conflict with the government.
In a statement made available to our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB accused Buhari and some leaders in the South-East geopolitical zone of conspiracy of silence on the issue.
The statement read, “We are asking Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Nnia Nwodo and South-East governors to produce Nnamdi Kanu because they or their representatives all participated in countless meetings in Abuja and Enugu where the modus operandi of the genocidal Operation Python Dance II was agreed and ratified.
“It was as a direct result of military invasion of the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and massacre of 28 innocent unarmed civilians with many missing that has led us to once again politely ask that our leader be presented to us dead or alive.
“It is becoming clear to everybody that Muhammadu Buhari, Nnia Nwodo and South East governors are desperately trying to draw IPOB into armed confrontation and militancy to justify their genocidal clampdown on innocent people of the South-East and South-South.”The Federal Government has replied to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s application seeking to withdraw as one of the sureties for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, describing the application as belated.
The government, in its counter-affidavit and written address filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja to oppose Abaribe’s request, told Abaribe that Kanu was in his custody and he had to produce him for the continuation of his trial.
It stated in its counter-affidavit that Abaribe was aware that Kanu “has long violated the bail conditions handed down by this honourable court” on April 24, 2017 before September 11 when he claimed to have lost contact with the defendant.
The counter-affidavit read in part, “That it was at this point at violating the conditions at the bail that the senator surety ought to surrender the 1st defendant and or bring up this application; “That this application is belated and ill-timed;
“The applicant failed to apply to the court timeously, stating on oath that the defendant bound by recognizance to appear before this court had violated the bail condition given by this court.”
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, argued in the written address that Abaribe “failed woefully” by allegedly aiding and abetting Kanu to flout his bail conditions.
The written address stated, “My lord, the surety has failed woefully to abide by the terms of the contract he entered into with this court and therefore cannot claim frustration.
“My lord, we urge that the court hold, that surety having refused to do what he ought to have done pursuant to section 174 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 aided and abetted the 1st defendant in the flouting of the bail conditions of this court and should forfeit the bond he entered into.”
Denying that Kanu was not in the custody of the Nigerian Army, the Federal Government stated in its counter-affidavit that the defendant remained in Abaribe’s custody.
“That the military activities in Abia State tagged ‘Operation Python Dance II’ was a routine exercise in its second year carried out by the military at the end of every year.
“That the 1st defendant is not in the custody of the Nigerian military or any other security agency in that regard.
“That the 1st defendant is in custody of the applicant (Abaribe).”
Kanu was absent from court when his case came up on October 17, 2017, but his co-defendants with whom he was being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony were produced in court by prison officials.
Abaribe’s lawyer, Ogechi Ogunna, informed the court of the motion by his client seeking to withdraw as Kanu’s surety but the judge said she would not hear it until the senator first produced the missing defendant.
She gave Abaribe and the two other sureties up till November 20 to produce the defendant in court.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra on Sunday insisted that the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari knew the whereabouts of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
It asked the government to produce Kanu without further delay in order not to provoke the group to go into armed conflict with the government.
In a statement made available to our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB accused Buhari and some leaders in the South-East geopolitical zone of conspiracy of silence on the issue.
The statement read, “We are asking Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Nnia Nwodo and South-East governors to produce Nnamdi Kanu because they or their representatives all participated in countless meetings in Abuja and Enugu where the modus operandi of the genocidal Operation Python Dance II was agreed and ratified.
“It was as a direct result of military invasion of the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and massacre of 28 innocent unarmed civilians with many missing that has led us to once again politely ask that our leader be presented to us dead or alive.
“It is becoming clear to everybody that Muhammadu Buhari, Nnia Nwodo and South East governors are desperately trying to draw IPOB into armed confrontation and militancy to justify their genocidal clampdown on innocent people of the South-East and South-South.”
One Nze Charles Ugwu, through his lawyer Simon Kanshio, has taken the US Embassy in Nigeria before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for saying it does not view the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as terrorists.
The embassy’s spokesman, Russel Brooks, had said IPOB is not a terrorist organisation under US laws, DailyPost reports.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/977/17 and dated October 12, 2017, Ugwu asked the court to compel Brooks to withdraw his statement within seven days of delivery of judgment in the case.
He also asked the court to determine “a true interpretation of sections 1, 4 and 5 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the United Nations Convention on Terrorism.
“Whether the United States of America represented in Nigeria through the 2nd defendant is no longer obligated to be bound by the United Nation Convention on Terrorism which the United States of America signed and ratified?”
Among other reliefs, he sought a declaration that by true interpretation of sections 1, 4 and 5 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the United Nations Convention on Terrorism, “that the 1st and 2nd defendants representing the United States of America in Nigeria are under absolute obligation to obey Nigerian laws both statutory and judicial so far as they are within the territory of Nigeria irrespective of their personal opinions.”
Members of Indigenouse People of Biafra
IPOB members may likely clash with security operatives in Anambra state after the group declared that elections in the state will not be allowed.
Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have vowed to lock down Anambra state come November 18th to stop Governorship election from holding in the state.
In a statement released by its publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, the group says they will teach corrupt Igbo politicians that money cannot buy IPOB because they are a special breed.
The group added that locking down Anambra State will pave the way for IPOB to announce a date for a substantive referendum later next year with or without the approval of Nigeria.
The statement reads:
"We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s leadership worldwide under the command of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to bring to the attention of IPOB members in Biafraland particularly those in Anambra State that November 18 2017 gubernatorial election is the day of destiny for all lovers of freedom. Every genuine Biafran desiring of freedom for Biafra from this Islamic bondage of Hausa Fulani caliphate called Nigeria, must not only stay at home on that day, but must also make sure those around them do not vote. November 18, 2017 is a date with history.
If we Biafrans succeed in demonstrating before international observers that we are serious about our freedom by locking down Anambra State on that day, the world will be in no doubt that Biafra is unstoppable. Our destiny is firmly in our hands. We must teach corrupt Igbo politicians that money cannot buy IPOB because we are special breed untainted by the corrupt tendencies of Nigerian politics. Locking down Anambra State will pave the way for IPOB to announce a date for substantive referendum later next year with or without the approval of Nigeria.
Events in Catalonia and Kurdistan has pointed the way forward for we Biafrans because it was clearly demonstrated by both nations that we can call for and conduct our referendum with or without the cooperation of Nigeria. Election boycott is the only legitimate tool left in the hands of we oppressed people to register our displeasure with the ongoing genocide in our land, arbitrary arrests, torture and reign of saboteurs in government houses across Biafra land. If we vote, Nigeria will never again take Biafra agitation serious.
The whole world is watching to see how serious we are towards the realization of this great nation of Biafra. The successful boycott of the election come November 18 will prove to the entire world how determined we are towards having our own new nation where all men will be equal before the law.
For the sake of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who was abducted and presumably murdered by the Hausa-Fulani rulers of Nigeria and their co-conspirators in Igbo land, especially Igbo governors and Ohaneze leadership, we must as a people boycott the elections. For the sake of the blood of our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters murdered in cold by Buhari, Buratai, Willie Obiano and Okezie we must boycott the elections. For the sake of our hope and collective aspiration as a people unfulfilled and down trodden in Nigeria, we must boycott this every other election in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government, Igbo governors and certain sections of Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership have been pouring billions of Naira into a well prepared media propaganda to try and tarnish the clean image of IPOB and that of our leader with no success. Every lie and fabrication have been cleverly deployed by these conspirators through their well paid and compromised media houses to sell fear and anarchy to the people of Anambra State.
The truth remains that corrupt Igbo politicians want to destroy IPOB by all means because they know we represent the people and will never take money from Abuja to compromise the struggle as they have all done. They were the people that begged Buratai to bring his Islamic army into our land to kill our brothers and sisters because they value the crumbs they are getting from Abuja over our well-being as a people.
We are therefore asking every Biafran and IPOB member who believe in the supremacy of the restoration of Biafra over deceitful game of Nigerian politics to sit at home and not venture outdoor on the 18th November 2017 no matter the amount of threat and intimidation from Willy Obiano, Ohaneze, Buratai and Buhari (Jubril from Sudan).
We are equally well aware that Willie Obiano campaign organisation and other South East governors, have funded a door to door campaign of thievery to buy voters cards from unsuspecting registered voters. IPOB under the supreme command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is determine to show the world how serious we are towards the restoration of Biafra. Come the 18th of November November, the world will know that Biafrans cannot participate in a fraudulent election organised by those that came to our land, killed us and when we complained, they tagged us terrorists.
Biafrans must be aware international observers will be on ground that day from USA, EU, AU, Russia, UK, Israel and France. That is why compromised Efulefu governors, Ohaneze and other sponsored groups have been attacking IPOB and our noble leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. If we lock-down Anambra State in spite of their billion of Naira, Operation Python Dance II, blackmail from Ohaneze leadership, the killing of Biafrans at the home of our leader, then Biafra has come. Nigeria will have no choice than to negotiate terms of a referendum.
We must remain strong and resolute before our enemies as our leader taught us. He have come too far to allow propaganda and blackmail to derail us. As the blessed children of the Most High, it is our duty to let the world know that terrorists don’t vote."
The Nigeria Police Force has said it would arrest and prosecute members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), if they hold rallies and protests again. Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood in an interview with Punch, said the police would now take tougher measures on IPOB.
According to Moshood, it is now unlawful for the seccesionist group, to assemble for rallies or protests after its proscription.
“If we find IPOB members holding rallies or protests anywhere in the country, the full weight of the law will be brought upon them. The full weight of the law would be applied.
“They have been proscribed by the Federal Government and the court has equally proscribed them. If we see them, they will be arrested,” he said.
In line with its commitment to national peace and security, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed some of its air assets, including the Alpha Jet aircraft, to its 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, to support the ongoing Nigerian Army’s Exercise EGWU EKE II (PYTHON DANCE II).
The essence of the deployment is to provide the necessary air cover to the ground troops to enhance overall operational cohesion and efficiency.
It would be recalled the operation began officially on 15 September 2017 and was planned to cover the entire South East Region of the country. The wide expanse of the exercise area and the request by the Nigerian Army for close air support made the involvement of the NAF inevitable.
Exercise EGWU EKE II is aimed at combating security challenges in the Southeastern part of the country. The deployment of the air assets in support of the Nigerian Army is thus in fulfillment of one of the constitutional mandates of the NAF.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force
Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has explained that the issues posed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is more urgent than those by Islamic Sect Boko Haram, and that is why he left his state to visit the South-East governors.
He said this in Owerri, where the delegation from the Northern Governors Forum met with Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, Nation reports.
It was reported on Monday that President Buhari had sent the delegation to meet with South-East governors in an effort to unite the nation.
The delegation, also including governors Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, Aminu Waziri of Sokoto, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, and Simon Lalong of Plateau, had earlier met with governors of Rivers and Abia States, Nyesom Wike and Okezie Ikpeazu.
Governor Shettima, in Owerri, said the purpose of their travel is to forestall a mass movement of Nigerians from one part of the country to another.
He said the urgency of the crisis was why he left the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in his state, to join the other governors in the visit.
Remember that the Boko Haram sect has so far claimed responsibility for several attacks that have led to thousands of deaths.
They were also behind the infamous abduction of the 276 Chibok girls, over half of whom are still in their custody.
Recently, they attacked an oil exploration team, abducting 4 members of the staff of University of Maiduguri, all of whom are still in captivity.
Shettima, speaking at the meeting, said although, on Tuesday morning, 25 people were killed in his state, he was on the South-East mission because of what it means to the country. He said:
Only this morning, 25 people were killed in my state via explosions carried out by three suicide bombers, but I have to be on this mission because of what it means to the nation.
What we wanted to forestall actually was a mass movement of Nigerians from one part of the country to another. It was a very dangerous signal.
We equally invite our brothers from the South East to visit some of the northern flash points like Kaduna, Kano and Jos, and together we can talk to our Igbo brothers and sisters there to assure them of the safety of their lives and properties.
Make or break, this country belongs to all of us. The population of Syria is a paltry 22 million. Only 2 million Syrian refugees are knocking on the doors of Europe and it is causing reverberation. How then do you perceive a situation where 35 million English-speaking Nigerians are knocking on the doors of Europe?
That is why we have a moral obligation as stakeholders to make things work in this country. We are all part of the leadership challenges we are facing in this country, and none of us can exonerate him or herself from blame.
Like I said earlier in Aba, the hope of the black man rests not with the hard-thinking South Africans or the obsequious Kenyans who are struggling to be more white than the white men, but with the people of this country.
If you see an African walking on the streets of London and would not leave the way obsequiously for the white man to pass, you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that that black man is a Nigerian.
If we allow this country to implode, up is the Sahara Desert, Niger is already a failed state. The population of Niger is only 11 million while Kano has a population of about 30 million. We can eat up the entire food reserve of Niger Republic within a week.
Down is the Atlantic Ocean and the tiny countries of Benin Republic, Togo and Senegal. Maybe some of us will migrate to Gambia. The entire food reserves of those tiny West African countries can be exhausted within two weeks.
Shettima thanked the Imo State governor for the warm reception, while referring to him as a merchant of peace. He said:
In politics, perception counts and symbolism matters. So we are here largely to identify with our governor colleagues; to visit the northern communities in their states and to reassure them that our governor colleagues are equal to the task.
In fact, I had to pay a visit to the governor of Rivers State where we were earlier on, and Chief Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and, of course, the merchant of peace in Imo State (Okorocha) for rapidly responding to the emergency situations in their respective states by declaring dusk to dawn curfews. They equally stopped the nation from reaching the boiling point.
While we were in Rivers, we were not opportune to address the northern community. But in Aba and Umuahia, we were able to do so and thank the governor, because the reports we got directly from the northerners residents in Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu had solved 70 per cent of their problems; that they had never had it so good of a governor that responded rapidly to the challenges they were facing in their communities.
Okorocha, in turn, thanked the delegation for their visit, and for promoting peace across the nation. He said:
Even between husband and wife, without communication, a break-up is inevitable. And we should not only communicate between ourselves as governors, we should also communicate with the ordinary citizens on the streets.
He added that the unrest in the South-East is a result of people’s perception that President Buhari would abandon that part of the nation, because they did not vote for him. He said:
As untrue as that may be, it remains the general feeling of the people in this part of the world. So, you coming to bridge the gap is a right step in the right direction.
Speaking while addressing some Northern Governors inside the executive chamber of government house, Umuahia, the Abia state capital on Monday, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, opened up on the IPOB and Army crises saying that, “we won’t allow an infinitesimal few to separate us”.
The governor who received five of his colleagues from the northern part of the country, said when the crisis started, he asked himself, “in my shoes, what will my brother Tambuwal do?”
He expressed gratitude to the northern delegation for coming to solidarise with the people of Abia.
The governors, who visited the state were Kashim Shettima (Borno), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).
Earlier, Shettima, who is chairman of the northern governors’ forum, said the delegation had earlier met Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, and appealed to the people of the south-east zone to have faith in a united and indivisible Nigeria.
He said; “On behalf of northern governors’ forum, we are here to commend Governor Ikpeazu on his high-quality leadership in handling the crisis in Abia.
“He rose to the occasion and declared a curfew in Aba just as Governor Lalong also declared a curfew in Jos to avert a reprisal attack on the Igbo.
“We are here to show solidarity. We have a moral obligation to ensure that Nigeria remains one. Nigeria is the largest conglomeration of black people in Africa and we cannot afford to separate.
“If the nation disintegrates, where will we go? North is the Sahara desert and Chad cannot contain us. If we go south, it is the Atlantic Ocean. South is too small for us and the mountains of East Africa with their so many challenges cannot accommodate us.”
Shettima said Nigeria had come a long way a nation with rich diversities, hence, the need to sustain the country’s unity, adding that it was in the interest of all Nigerians to stay together and work to build a strong united nation.
“We are here to remind Nigerians that we are better as one. We are here to also invite our south-east colleagues to also come to the flashpoints of the north to speak to Ndi Igbo living in the north,” he said.
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