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Pro-Biafran Protests: Reasons IPOB Youth Leaders Escape From Nigeria Emerge

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As Police Declare Youth Coordinators Wanted

By Chioma Nweke

The Anambra Police Command has declared wanted some leaders of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB).

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This follows series of protests by thousands of youths of the IPOB particularly the bloody clash which led to the burning down of public properties on December 2, 2015, in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Those youths leaders declared wanted by the police in the state include: Robinson Ikpinaye from Asaba, Delta State; Obinna Obiozor from Onitsha, Anambra State; Emeka Moses from Udi in Enugu State, a youth coordinator; Ejike Nnabuenyi from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, and Harrison Ofoma from Owerri, Imo State.

Dr Uwam Asika, an independent investigative journalist and researcher who has been following the situation, revealed that pro-Biafran youths escape from Nigeria was due to fear and intimidation by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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The investigative journalist who is a member of Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, said this exodus by the IPOB youths should be a cause of concern to government.

According to Uwem, using fire arms to disperse unarmed IPOB youths is also the greatest error of government.

He stated that it has become a growing phenomenon that anytime youths protested for any reason, not just pro-Biafra protesters, government disperses the protesters.

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He added that sending armed military and police to tear gas protesters and even throw grenades into crowds of unarmed youths and shoot sporadically, killing some of the protesters in the process shouldn’t be encouraged.

He noted that this was the reason the irate youths burnt down structures and destroyed properties in frustration and anger over dead loved ones, fueled by police brutality and gun battle.

Uwem described the development as most undemocratic, adding that even in the worst form of military dictatorship, the junta was more cautious in handling protests than the civilian rulers.

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Dr. Uwem advised government to be more tolerant of the pro-Biafran agitators whom he said were fighting to secede from Nigeria.

“The entire people of Nigeria are protesting bad governance in one form or the other; the pro-Biafran agitation started even before it got this bad economically and these people are still insisting on being separate from Nigeria and for a reason.

“It’s either you let them go or you engage them in meaningful dialogue on the way forward,” he stated.

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Meanwhile, Mr Emeka Moses, one of the youths who was fingered in the protest has expressed fear that his life and that others declared wanted maybe under serious threat.

Moses, whose younger brother, Vivian Emeka, was killed in the protest where they demanded for the release their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, lamented that after years of arrest by the Nigerian government remains under custody till date.

Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have, however, continued to advise the Federal government to treat protesters with humane and obey fundamental rights of the citizens.

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Two Suspected Gays Escape Jungle Justice In Oyo

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By Dayo Adesina|Ibadan

Two young men suspected to be involved in homosexual activities were on Thursday, 12 September, 2024 beaten by an angry mob, as they described the act (homosexuality) as abominable and sinful.

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The suspects, Oluwafemi Azeez Adeola and his partner; Odeleye Adewale Abel were caught at a hotel (name withheld) when a hotel attendant went to perform room service at the room where they were lodged.

The attendant had reportedly informed the hotel authorities of the ‘atrocity’ being performed in one of the rooms.

The ensuing pandemonium threw the premises into turmoil as other hotel guests and angry youths rushed to the room, held them and started pouncing on the two suspects.

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READ ALSO: Homosexuality: Why I Resigned From United Methodist Church – Nigerian Bishop

One of the suspects, Odeleye Adewale who pled for his life, allegedly confessed to have relocated to Oyo in search of acceptance of homosexual.

Hee was said to have forced to flee Lagos some years back when he was caught with one Olaosebikan Ademola at Ikotun area of Lagos, and never returned to his family for fear of being attacked or killed by members of the community.

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Narrating how Oluwafemi and Adewale were caught, the attendant who pleaded not to be mentioned, explained that he was initially suspicious with the public display of affection being shown by both guests when they approached the front desk.

They could barely keep their hands off each other”, he said, adding: “So, when they requested for room service, I went to their room with the water they had requested for. It was Oluwafemi that opened the door while Adewale was on the bed, naked. I reported them to the manager and other guests came out when they heard noise”.

READ ALSO: HOMOSEXUALITY: Boy, 28, Absconds From Police Net To Avoid 14-year Jail Term

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“The mob that gathered around the hotel decided to lynch both homosexuals but the hotel manager did not want the lynching to happen in the hotel premises, and decided to call in the police.

“So, while waiting for the police, the two young men escaped under the pretext of picking something from the room they were lodged.

“Both of them tricked us. They said they wanted to pick their bags from the room. When we did not see them, we checked and discovered they had escaped through the small gate by the swimming pool”, said the attendant.

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Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, said he could not confirm the arrest of the two suspects.

He noted that the suspects had taken to their heels before the police arrived, but operatives were trailing the suspects to ensure their arrest and prosecution.

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Shun Planned Nationwide Protest, Group Urges N’Deltans

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Group known as Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF) has urged people of the region to reconsider participating in the planned nationwide protest, citing concerns about potential violence and political undertones.

In a statement, NDNAF National President, Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, expressed solidarity with Nigerian youths on the issues they have raised but advised against a protest that could be hijacked by unscrupulous elements.

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NDNAF highlighted the 2012 anti-subsidy protest, led by Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu and General Muhammadu Buhari, as an example of a protest with political undertones.

READ ALSO: Ijaw Group Urges Ex-agitators, CSOs To Shun Planned Protest, Gives Reason

The organization also noted that the current protest has been linked to Northerners, advising Nigerians, particularly those from the South, to stay away.

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NDNAF advocated for dialogue as a means of resolving issues.

The organization encouraged Nigerians, especially youths, to engage in dialogue with authorities, citing the example of David’s restraint in not harming King Saul despite having the opportunity.

NDNAF’s statement emphasised the need for caution and nonviolent means of addressing grievances, urging Niger Deltans to emulate David’s example and avoid retaliatory actions.

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Again, LP Chieftain Cheats Death In Rivers

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In less than three weeks after escaping assassination attempt in Waterside part of Rivers State, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in the State, Mr Benjamin Chimezie narrowly escaped the bullets of the men of the underworld.

It would be recalled that Chimezie, a former Publicity Secretary of the LP in Rivers State had on May 28, 2024 escaped assassination attempt when his car was rained with bullets in Port Harcourt.

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The second attempt on his life within 20 days occurred around Leadwort hotels at Rumuokoro where his car was trailed by some armed men on hood.

READ ALSO: PHOTO: Two Rescued As Abuja Building Collapses

Unlike the previous attempt on his life, Chimezie was said to be alone when his car was suddenly blocked by a black SUV car with covered plate number while trying to negotiate a bend to a street around the hotel.

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Upon sensing danger when two occupants of the SUV came out of the car armed and aimed at his vehicle, Chimezie zoomed off hitting his assailants car in the process.

A member of his party who narrated the incident, said it was only by stroke of luck that he (Chimezie) escaped.

The LP member who pleaded anonymity, lamented that the Police had yet to done nothing on the first reported incident when asked if the matter had been reported to the appropriate authority.

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READ ALSO: Travelers Stranded In Rivers As Soldiers Block Road After IPOB Clash

We honestly understand what is happening and trust me, this won’t silence some of us from speaking the truth, even at the expense of our lives.

“They can pursue us to wherever they wish to, this will not however muffle our voices and we will continue to speak for the oppressed,” he stated.

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Attempt made to get the reaction of the State Command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, proved abortive as she did not respond to her calls nor reply messages sent to her phone.

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