News

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

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2022

Editor

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

Edo Police Break Silence On Operatives Fighting Dirty In Viral Video

Published

29 mins ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Edo State Police Command says a trending video showing two operatives of the command engaging in a fight is a handiwork of mischief makers.

In the video which has gone viral on the internet, two policemen are seen fighting themselves, while a voice commentary in the background claims they are from the Igueben Decisional Police Station headquarters in the state.

A writeup also attached to a version of the video sighted by Info Daily also claims that the policemen were fighting because of sharing formula of money collected from motorists on the highway. The writeup also claims that the incident happened yesterday, May 17th, 2024.

But reacting to the viral video in a statement issued by SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer, the command said contrary to the claim, the incident happened in 2020, adding that disciplinary measures were taken against the erring policemen.

The statement which issued electronically to newsmen in Benin on Saturday evening partly reads: “Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that it’s aware of a video trending on the internet showing two policemen that engaged themselves in a fight in public spaces and wishes to state as follows that;

“The now trending video happened in April 2020 in a community called Ebelle in the Igueben local government area of Edo State.

“The two erring policemen, namely; (i) F/NO.491112 CPL Ozimeade Aidonojie and (ii) F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen were attached to Ebelle Police Divisional Headquarters.

“They defaulted, tried in an orderly and upon conviction dismissed from the Force for the offence of discreditable conduct contrary to Paragraph ‘E’ Sub Section 111 of the Police Act and Regulations 370 Cap. P19 of Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Nwabuzor in the statement reiterated the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, commitment to “making Edo State a desired secured state where the law abiding citizens and the general public go about their lawful businesses in making Edo State economic hubs of Nigeria without fear or intimidation.”

News

Excitement, Dance As ‘Looted Ancestral Stools’ Return To Oba Of Benin

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

It was a moment of joy, excitement and dance at the palace of the Oba of Benin as the revered monarch, Oba Ewuare II took custody of two looted royal stools from the German government.

They were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM on behalf of the Nigerian government by the German authorities in 2022.

The Director-General of
National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government on Saturday May18, 2024 in Oba of Benin Palace, Benin City.

According to history, the artefacts — Bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete), made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several Centuries ago, were looted from Oba Palace during the punitive expedition in 1897.

Addressing the Benin Throne during the presentation of the artefacts, Mr Holloway, pledged on behalf of NCMM, to work-hand-in hand with the Benin Royal Court in uplifting and displaying Edo heritage.

He revealed that as the Benin Bronzes and other art works are gradually making their way home (Nigeria), “NCMM will join hands with the Royal Court to create a befitting destination for people around the world to come and appreciate these works”.

“What you see before us were originally taken away from the Royal family in 1897.

“We have a stool made of Bronze and a wooden stool.

“I speak for every member of my team, to say that we remain loyal to the Royal Court. And if there is anything we can do, we will do to support this laudable initiative.

“This heritage is not just Benin heritage, but Nigeria’s heritage.
When we speak of Benin heritage, there is nobody that doesn’t know the great works of ours.

“I appreciate you, we will always do what we can do with our powers to make His Royal Majesty lineage in memory”, he said.

After unveiling the repatriated Artefacts, Oba of Benin, who danced joyfully to Benin traditional rendition in dramatic dance steps, with excited Chiefs and members of the Royal family, offered prayers to Almighty God and his ancestors.

The traditional ruler, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, appreciated the German government and the Federal Government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts.

The royal father, thereafter, in a historic move, sat in one of the royal stools (Ekete), and personally presented a chunk of white, which, according to belief, symbolizes peace and blessings to the Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway.

Oba Ewuare II also prayed for Mr Holloway and his team, accompanied by the Curator, National Museum, Benin, Mr Mark Olaitan, Director, Legal Services, NCMM, Barrister Babatunde Adebiyi on the visit where Royal Drummers gave a good account of their stewardship.

News

50-year-old Man Dies While Watching Football Match In Lagos Bar

Published

3 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified man has died allegedly watching football in an open bar along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos.

It was discovered that the deceased, a man in his fifties, was a frequent patron of the open bar prior to the incident and had visited on May 15, 2024, to watch a football game.

But problems arose when it was later found that he was sleeping and that attempts to wake him up were unsuccessful.

The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident by saying that on May 15, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, the owner of the open bar came to Elere Division to report that the same day, one of his male customers—whose name and address are unknown—died while watching a football game.

In an additional explanation, Hundeyin stated that when detectives from the division visited the scene, they saw the deceased lying lifeless on the chair without any signs of violence.

“His body has been taken to the mainland general hospital in Rusty Yaa for an autopsy,” he continued, “We are still trying to find his family.”