News

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

Published

2 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

‘Dey Play,’ Nigerians Mock Prophet Who Claims World Ends Today

Published

7 mins ago

April 25, 2024

Editor

A self-acclaimed cleric identified as Prophet Metuh has stirred reactions on social media after claiming that the world will end on Thursday (today).

He claimed to have gotten the ‘clear message’ and the date was clear that the world will end on April 25, 2024.

In a video that has since gone viral on X, Metuh said, “By the 25th of April, the world is going to end. If you like take this serious, if you don’t like don’t take it seriously.

“But this is real, rapture is coming, on the 25th of April 2024, I saw it very clear, do you understand? I saw the date very clear and the lord ministered to me. He mentioned it twice, it has happened twice.”

He also berated social media users attacking him over his rapture claim.

This is not a joke, this is a reality. Rapture is coming, prepare yourself. The message was very clear and the date is also very clear, 25th of April 2024. Rapture is coming. The world has come to an end and that is just the reality.

“I have seen a lot of reactions and comments on social media but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you have to prepare yourself. The message was very clear, it is not for me to finetune for you to be happy or for you to like it. It is to pass the message as I got it and that is what I have done.

“So, prepare yourselves. This is not a joke, rapture is coming. The world is coming to an end.”

But reacting to his claims, some social media users faulted his claim, saying even Jesus Christ was not given knowledge of the exact time of the rapture.

Ufezime Nelson Ubi wrote, “Go and sit down, even our saviour Jesus Christ do not know the day rapture will take place if at all there is going to be one.”

@jayshualoffixial said, “The man even called his name😂😂😂. Wetin we use your name dey do on rapture dey abi you wan chase clout for heaven?”

Also, @tamtamsege wrote, “The problem is you have all followed a well funded propaganda. And now there is confusion everywhere.”

@Supremebeing241 wrote, “The same Oyibo that sold religion to you are busy forecasting the weather and drinking beer in the pub every other weekend. But this man who possibly has no less than £2,000 to his name believes “God” spoke to him? What’s that saying again? “Dey play”?

Victor Osemudiame said, “Day don break. It’s almost noon, I never hear horn since I enter office how much more trumpet? The day God go show these fake pastors him other side eh.”

@josephine_ngg wrote, “Make I go sell all my properties use the money chop life B4 I go heaven 😌”

@official_wyreG said, “Please those going please send your remaining funds to my account oooo.”

@IVY_MIKE_SirB wrote, “Government needs to step in and stop all these misleading people because their actions and inactions are a great threat to the existence of humanity. Such a thread shouldn’t be allowed to continue. He needs to be prosecuted for spreading such fake information.”

News

Edo To Sanction Property Owners Over Nonpayment Of Land Use Charge, Gives Ultimatum

Published

2 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Government has urged residents and property owners in the state on prompt payment of the land use charges associated with properties under their ownership/occupation to avoid enforcement of actions stipulated by the state Land Use Charge Law 2023, as amended.

The Managing Director of the Edo Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Mrs. Osaro Grace Aihie, in a notice made available to journalists in Benin City, said the enforcement action include seizure of the property, imposition of penalties and interests and institution of legal actions to recover the debt, among others.

She said the notice was in accordance with the provisions of Section 30 of the Land Use Charge Law of 2023.

According to her, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 30 of the Land Use Charge Law of 2023, this notice serves to inform you that there are outstanding land use charges associated with properties under your ownership/occupation. It is imperative that these charges are settled promptly to avoid further enforcement actions as stipulated by the Edo State Land Use Charge Law 2023 as amended.”

Aihie explained that enforcement action will include but may not be limited to the following steps, “Seizure which involves the closure of the property until payment is made in full; imposition of Penalties and Interest as penalties and interest will continue to accrue on the outstanding amount until full payment is made, and legal action”, adding that “If the outstanding amount is not settled within 30 days upon receipt of this notice, legal action will be taken to recover the debt.”

She further stated, “We would like to avoid taking such drastic measures and urge you to settle the outstanding land use charge as soon as possible to avoid any further escalation of the situation.”

“Please contact us immediately at our office to discuss payment options or to seek clarification on the outstanding amount. Failure to respond to this notice and settle the outstanding land use charge will result in legal action being taken against you,” the EdoGIS MD charged.

She also warned, “Please do not pay cash to anybody; ensure you pay your money to a dedicated account specified on your LUC demand notice, and please do not deal with middle men.”

News

JUST IN: Senator Ayogu Eze Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Editor

A former Senator who represented Enugu North Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Ayogu Eze is dead.

A reliable source told Vanguard that Eze who was in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2015 died on Thursday in an Abuja hospital at the age of 66 after suffering from a protracted illness.

For the 8 years he spent in the Senate, Eze served as Committee Chairman on Information and Media during the first four years and after his reelection to the senate in 2011, was appointed chairman committee on works.

Eze also served as a member of committees on Police Affairs, National Planning, Marine Transport and Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs and also member of the Constitution Drafting and Amendment Committee that made some novel changes to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.

A youth leader from his community, Umuiyda autonomous community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Ikechukwu Eze who confirmed it, said he can’t talk now because they are in shock over the sad news.

He said the death of Senator Eze was a big loss to the zone and Nigeria in general.

“We heard the sad news. We are mourning him now. His death is a loss to us, the state and Nigeria,” he said.

Sen. Eze, born 23 November 1958, was elected Senator for the Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nigeria, taking office on June 5, 2007.