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Nigeria@61: Tension In Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi Over IPOB’s Threat To Shut Down Southeast

Published

4 years ago

September 30, 2021

Following the vow by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to shut down activities in the Southeast in solidarity with its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the annual Independence Day celebration may take a new dimension in the region.

this year in some parts of the country particularly the Southeastern region following the vow by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to shut down activities in solidarity with its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu for weeks has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS after he was arrested in a neighbouring African country.

Recalls that the secessionists’ group had through a statement on Saturday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful vowed to enforce a sit-at-home in the entire region on October 1st, saying there would be operation no Nigerian flag in Biafra land.

According to the statements, residents of the region were warned to steer clear of the streets as there would be no movements.

The statement reads in part: “IPOB has declared 1st of October 2021 total shutdown in Biafra land as a sign of our rejection of the evil construct called Nigeria and there shall be no movement in Biafra land on this day.

“Everybody must strictly adhere to this directive from IPOB leadership, we want to let the world know that Biafraland is not Nigeria and shall not be. Don’t say I don’t know, a word is enough for the wise.”

Also on Tuesday, the separatist group called on agitators of Oduduwa Republic, and Middle Belt and other allegedly “oppressed tribes” in the country to join in shutting down Nigeria on October 1.

Emma Powerful said, “Following our earlier declaration of October 1st sit at home order issued by the leadership of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), all Nigerian oppressed tribes should reject the Nigerian government’s evil agenda against the indigenous peoples.

“We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), request our brothers and sisters in Oduduwa republic and Middle Belt who suffer a similar fate with us to join hands in sympathy protest.”

DAILY POST reports that the moves and threats have triggered tension in many parts of the region as shops, offices began to shut down about 12 hours before Independence Day.

A trader in the popular Onitsha market, Emeka Andrew, told DAILY POST that there was panic buying of food and other essential items on Thursday as there would be no movement on Friday (Independence Day).

He said, “Nobody is coming out tomorrow because no one wants to die. We all saw what happened in the previous time when such declarations were made by the IPOB so we are all doing everything possible to prevent that. I’m closing my shop anything 4pm.

“On a normal note, even on Christmas Day, we are always here but this has to do with life and death and some of us have chosen life. Whatever you don’t buy today, you may not get it until next week. Who knows what would still happen on Monday?”

Similarly, a corps member who identified herself as Ene, serving in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, expressed fear of attack, saying she has resolved to suspend all activities and stay-at-home.

“I don’t want any story that touch, so I have cancelled all my usual activities pending when normalcy return to the state”.

However, speaking with DAILY POST, the state’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenganyia T. Anthony said the command has established an intensive patrol and surveillance to ensure peace and order in the state on Independence Day.

He said, “We have extended our patrol and for us, we are concentrating on our primary duties which include the protection of lives and properties. So there is intensive patrol and surveillance going on”.

In the same vein, a civil servant in Ebonyi State who preferred not to be mentioned in print for fear of victimization told DAILY POST that there is “fear in the land” as the government prepares for the Independence celebration.

“Although Ebonyi State is not like other parts of the region, there is fear in the state currently. Some unscrupulous persons are taking advantage of the peace in this place to penetrate and unleash havoc”.

But the spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Odah Loveth told DAILY POST correspondent on phone, that there is calm everywhere, stressing that “everyone is going about his or her businesses in the state”.

She said, “There is nothing like the activities of IPOB in Ebonyi and we are not going to allow that. The commissioner of police has assured adequate security.

“You know that Ebony is going to be 25 years old tomorrow so we are preparing for the jubilee and Nigeria at 61.

“We will not allow anybody to take this Happy moment from us. The public areas will be occupied by us. The police and other security agencies in Ebonyi State will do everything possible to ensure that the state is very peaceful.

“The residents have also promised us that they will comply with the security agencies and that they will report every criminal activity to us”.

DAILY POST’s observation revealed that parts of Imo State particularly the Orlu where the Eastern Security Network wing of the IPOB camps, have been enveloped by tension.

A resident who begged not to be mentioned, said shops and offices are being shut down already as of 4pm on Thursday.

However, Prince Marcillinus Nlemigbo, Imo State chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC who spoke exclusively to DAILY POST on Thursday, said there is nothing like security change in the state stressing that the Independence Day celebration must hold.

He said there would be movement in all parts of the state tomorrow, stressing that the governor had assured residents of adequate security.

His words,” We felicitate with Imolites and Nigerians in general on this occasion of Nigeria at 61, we wish to reiterate our call for unity as well as political and religious tolerance amongst Nigerians. ”

“It is our common faith that our strength as a nation lies in our diversity. We must continue to respect our plurality and ethnoreligious and political differences to achieve a peaceful and prosperous nation on the sacred foundation of justice, equity and fairness. God bless you all.”

Headline

Aircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard

Published

2 days ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.

Headline

Musk Breaks Record As First Person Worth Over $600 Billion

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI, has reached a new personal wealth milestone, surpassing a net worth of $600 billion, driven primarily by a recent valuation increase of SpaceX.

The development makes Musk the first individual in history to exceed the US$600 billion threshold.

According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, Musk’s net worth stood at approximately $638 billion as of 15 December 2025, with the increase largely attributed to SpaceX, which was recently valued at around $800 billion following an insider share sale.

The privately held aerospace company, based in Starbase, Texas, is now considered the most valuable private firm globally, significantly boosting Musk’s personal holdings.

Musk’s stake in Tesla, estimated at roughly 12 per cent, is valued at nearly $200 billion, while his majority ownership of xAI Holdings is estimated at $60 billion.

Collectively, these assets place him on track to potentially approach US$700 billion, widening the gap between him and the world’s second-richest individual, former Google CEO Larry Page, valued at $265 billion.

The SpaceX valuation comes ahead of a projected public listing in 2026, which could see the company valued at approximately $1.5 trillion.

“Other shareholder meetings are snooze-fests but ours are bangers. Look at this. This is sick,” Musk said in November during Tesla’s shareholder meeting, referring to a performance-linked pay package approved by investors.

He added, “I super appreciate it.” The package, potentially worth up to US$1 trillion in stock, is tied to market-capitalisation and operational milestones over the next decade.

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network has also contributed to investor confidence. The company continues to expand high-speed internet access to underserved regions worldwide.

Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations, stated that the satellite technology “bypasses the need to build massive amounts of infrastructure,” allowing broader and faster connectivity.

Musk’s ascent in personal wealth follows years of strategic risk-taking and long-term planning, with Tesla’s focus on electric vehicles, battery technology, and autonomous systems laying the foundation for his financial growth.

Analysts note that the combination of SpaceX’s soaring valuation, Tesla’s long-term incentives, and Musk’s diverse portfolio underpins his current status as the world’s wealthiest individual.

Headline

South Korea, Japan Protest China, Russia Aircraft Incursions

Published

1 week ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

South Korea and Japan reacted furiously on Wednesday after Chinese and Russian military aircraft conducted joint patrols around the two countries, with both Seoul and Tokyo scrambling jets.

South Korea said it had protested with representatives of China and Russia, while Japan said it had conveyed its “serious concerns” over national security.

According to Tokyo, two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers on Tuesday flew from the Sea of Japan to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers in the East China Sea, then conducted a joint flight around the country.

The incident comes as Japan is locked in a dispute with China over comments Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made about Taiwan.

The bombers’ joint flights were “clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi wrote on X Wednesday.

Top government spokesman Minoru Kihara said that Tokyo had “conveyed to both China and Russia our serious concerns over our national security through diplomatic channels”.

Seoul said Tuesday the Russian and Chinese warplanes entered its air defence zone and that a complaint had been lodged with the defence attaches of both countries in the South Korean capital.

“Our military will continue to respond actively to the activities of neighbouring countries’ aircraft within the KADIZ in compliance with international law,” said Lee Kwang-suk, director general of the International Policy Bureau at Seoul’s defence ministry, referring to the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone.

South Korea also said it deployed “fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies” in response to the Chinese and Russian incursion into the KADIZ.

The planes were spotted before they entered the air defence identification zone, defined as a broader area in which countries police aircraft for security reasons but which does not constitute their airspace.

Japan’s defence ministry also scrambled fighter jets to intercept the warplanes.

Beijing later Tuesday confirmed it had organised drills with Russia’s military according to “annual cooperation plans”.

Moscow also described it as a routine exercise, saying it lasted eight hours and that some foreign fighter jets followed the Russian and Chinese aircraft.

Since 2019, China and Russia have regularly flown military aircraft into South Korea’s air defence zone without prior notice, citing joint exercises.

In November last year, Seoul scrambled jets as five Chinese and six Russian military planes flew through its air defence zone.

Similar incidents occurred in June and December 2023, and in May and November 2022.

Meanwhile, Tokyo said Monday it had scrambled jets in response to repeated takeoff and landing exercises involving fighter jets and military helicopters from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier as it cruised in international waters near Japan.

It also summoned Beijing’s ambassador after military aircraft from the Liaoning locked radar onto Japanese jets, the latest incident in the row ignited by Takaichi’s comments backing Taiwan.

Takaichi suggested last month that Japan would intervene militarily in any Chinese attack on the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out seizing by force.

AFP