News

IPOB, Igbo Lawyers List Ways To End Insecurity In S’East

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2022

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and a group of Igbo lawyers have listed ways of ending the current security challenges plaguing the South-East region.

In its view, IPOB said a collaboration between the body and the governors of the five South East states could bring an end to the insecurity in the zone.

Recent security challenges in the area include attacks at Nnewi in Anambra State, torching of the palace of traditional rulers, killing of six women at Owerriebieri and the destruction of the country home of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, among others.

IPOB denied involvement in the incidents and accused politicians of being behind the atrocities. The group vowed to hunt down and name the sponsors of the criminal acts.

This was contained in a statement released by the media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful in Owerri on Friday.

It reads: “We wish to reiterate once again to Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom, that IPOB has no hands in the criminality and insecurity being perpetrated in Biafra territory by imported hoodlums, dissidents and wicked politicians. Those behind this barbarity are not IPOB members or ESN operatives.

“These atrocities are witnessed more in the region where politicians are fighting themselves for selfish reasons.

“IPOB has been pursuing the freedom for the people of former Eastern region and Midwestern regions since nine years without involving in any act of criminality but some people in their desperation to blackmail IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu, these dissidents and unfortunate people claiming they are working for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu emerged with their evil agenda and their emergence of these criminals has turned our region into a very dangerous situation because some unscrupulous politicians are behind and sponsoring them.

“We also condemn the numerous abductions, car snatching, raping and attacks on so many institutions in our land. We strongly condemn the recent attacks on Nnewi South LGA, the burning of the country home of Ohaneze Ndigbo President, Professor George Obiozor in Awo mmamma Imo State and the attack on the palace of HRH Igwe Anayo Obika of Ezinfite Nnewi South. Those behind these devilish acts will regret their actions.

“We are urging the governors and other politicians to join hands with IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to stop the unnecessary waste of lives in our region because it might turn against you tomorrow.

“IPOB has no business with unknown gunmen, and we will soon expose those behind the monster. We will expose those behind the killings in the whole land of Biafra in no distance future.”

Meanwhile the Igbo Lawyers Association (ILA) counselled members of IPOB to embrace peace and dialogue and end any form of skirmishes in the South East in the interest of their people.

ILA also urged them to reconsider their stance on the renewed enforcement of the Monday sit-at- home aimed at drawing international attention to the plight of the Igbo nation in Nigeria. They noted that the situation, with its attendant wave of destruction of infrastructure across the zone, was destroying the economy.

Muoma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) told Saturday Sun that supporters of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu should accept the offer by Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to grant amnesty to those involved in destruction of lives and property generally called “unknown gunmen.”

He further urged them to embrace the peace panel set up by the governor, made up of eminent Igbo sons and daughters, to discuss with the aggrieved groups and individuals with a view to finding lasting solutions to the problems.

He noted that war and acrimony, were never better ways of settling disputes and commended the group for calling for a referendum over the Biafran question.

But, Mouma expressed sadness on the serious threat that the sit-at-home enforcement which had been hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants, was posing to the social and economic well-being of the people of the region.

“Sit-at-home is no longer necessary as the group had made its desire to see Nnamdi Kanu released and marginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria, known to the outside world.

“They should allow people to move about freely to do their businesses on Mondays, in order to feed their families.”

The elder statesman posited that there were more than 30 pro-Biafra groups beside the IPOB, across the South-East zone, adding that the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, had remained steadfast in maintaining its non-violence stance, while continuing to represent the Igbo Biafra cause in the United Nations nativity events.

He urged IPOB members to toe the line of non-violence in its efforts to achieve set goals of helping to set Ndigbo free from marginalisation.

“I advise our young men in the IPOB to eschew violence and uphold the tenets the group was known for in the past – that of non violence.

“Our people now live in fear as we hear of destruction of lives and property in one location or another daily, while we are not free to go out to fend for our families, due to conflicting sit-at-home enforcement directives and their being cancelled or renewals.

“They are affecting the economy negatively and people are suffering. So, I plead with them to see reason and embrace peace, for our people to live without fear,” he said.

But elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ahamba was not too sure the security challenge would end anytime soon.

“Until those behind this ungodly activity of cutting our noses to spite our faces realise that these criminal acts are hurtful to Ndigbo and no one else, an end is not in sight,” he declared.

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.