Gallant police officers, today, Monday, 19th April, 2021, pushed back unknown individuals that attempted to overrun Zone 13 Headquarters of the Nigerian Police, located at Ukpo, Anambra state.
Zone 13 Police Command Principal Public Relations Officer, Princess Nkiru Nwode praised the courage of the police officers, saying that the Zone is committed to ensuring safety of lives and property at all times. “The command suffered minimal damage but we successfully repelled the attack, and also recovered some weapons from the fleeing assailants”.
A source informed Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) that the fire in one of the buildings was started by a petrol bomb thrown from a distance by the attackers, and this spread to cars packed in the vicinity.
As at the time of publishing this, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, neither is the motive known.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the south-east governors of compiling the names of its members to hand over to the federal government.
The spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful who made this known on Saturday said that the list is being compiled with the support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and some traditional rulers.
IPOB, which had been outlawed as a terrorist organisation, also accused the Igbo leaders of attempting to clamp down the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which it runs as a security arm.
“This wicked move was suggested by the Nigeria Government and her security operatives with hope to weaken IPOB and ESN making every effort to flush terrorists out of our land,” Powerful said in a statement.
“Our efforts to stop terrorists in the East have indisputably intensified since the formation of ESN but regrettably, the politicians and government officials including local authorities in some communities in South East are sabotaging these efforts.
“The South-Eastern Governors in collaboration with all the Traditional Rulers in the Zone and the PGs of all the Communities in the Zone are compiling names of suspected IPOB members in their respective communities to hand over to Nigeria security agencies for possible executions.”
IPOB added that the purported clampdown was because the ESN is seen as a menace in the south-east which has been recording increasing criminal attacks in recent weeks.
It said it has nothing to do with those carrying out the attacks, adding: “We wonder why Government will continue to associate us with that group without investigations.”
“The Nigeria Government must understand that IPOB cannot be decimated no matter what they do. The unknown gunmen are not ESN or IPOB,” the group said.
A growing number of soldiers are committing suicide in northeastern Nigeria due to depression and trauma. A recent case involves a new recruit in Bauchi. It is alleged that he shot himself in the stomach at work. How are soldiers in your country coping?
SPORTS: Friendly Match Between Leopard FC of Owerri and Papilo FC of Owerri, after much pressure from the leopard FC who was the visitor the match latter ended 1 – 1 draw
Although the leopard FC didn’t score in the first half but they dominated the ball and played very well They got their first goal at 62m when Heartson Nelson scored from the Conner kick.
The Leopard FC went ahead to make it three until the centre referee withdraw two goals for reasons best known to him.
As They Assembles 2000 Security personnels for Ebubeagu
April 16, 2021.
Biafra Leaders
By Mentus Ngwoke and ThankGod Ogbonnaya, Abakiliki
In Furtherance of the change of Government in Biafra land, the leaders of the Biafra Internal Government (BIG), yesterday demonstrated what really made them Replicas of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike in quality administration by inaugurating the approved names from the Biafra Judicial Commission.
According to the Ideal Biafra Government, it have been the duty of the Biafra Judicial Commission as an umbrella body of Judges, Lawyer etc, To elect themselves for any prestigious position without the interference of other organs of the government.
During the inauguration of the approved names, The Biafra Chief Justice, Honourable Calister Amamgbo tasked them for good conduct and enchew any form of favouritism.
According to her, she said “As you have been elected into the office of the Chief Judges of the state, let your heart be as pure as you dress and may you never judge in fear or favor of any mortal man nor the cultural criminality of judges from our mother state (Nigeria) be adopted by you in any form.
“Because in Biafra, we shall not Adopt, Adapt nor Accept any form of injustice,” she said.
The Inaugurated Judges includes: 1.Hon. David Njoku __ Ebonyi South State. 2.Hon.Eboko Ogbonnaya _Ebonyi North State . 3. Hon. Thomas Eze_ Ebonyi Central State.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Internal Government (BIG), His Excellency, Chief Chinedu Amaifeobu have Commissioned State Commissioners in Ebonyi State.
The Ojeozi Obodo who stormed Ebonyi with the Minister for Planning and Strategy, Chief Dr. Larry Odinmah and the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Calista Amangbo and many others, stated that he is in Ebonyi to Commission the state executive Commissioners to work with the Chief Minister (Governor)
The Commission state executive Commissioners are as follows:
EBONYI SOUTH STATE
1.Past. Clement Amadi – planing and strategy.
2. Paul Ochuba – Education
3. Aja Sunday Augustine – Information.
4. Joana Imo – Health
5. Oko Daniel – Special Duty
6. Uka chukwu Miriam – Works
7. Omemgbeoji Awada – Sports
8. Emmanuel Ikpe – Agriculture
9. Godwin Chinyere – Welfare.
EBONYI NORTH STATE
1. Ogba Michael – Education
2. Efita Roseline – Welfare
3. Obasi Ebere – Agriculture
4. Nwaori Isaac – Health
5. Okwuru Emmanuel – Information
6. Nwibo Samuel – Special Duty
7. Nwonda Ikechukwu – Sports
8. Hyacinth Ugurumba__ Works
9. Adaeze Eze – Planing and Strategy.
EBONYI CENTRAL STATE
1. Orioke Moses – Planning and Strategy
2. Igwe Jeremiah – Education
3. Onwe Doris – Welfare
4. Boniface Agashe – Works
5. Nweke Jeremiah – Special Duty
6. Oluagu Michael – Information
7. Nwakpa Chukwudi – Sports
8. Anthony Iburu – Health
9. Elias Okum – Agriculture.
As They Assembles 2000 Security personnels for Ebubeagu
In accomplishment of the promise by the Ijele Ndi Igbo to protect Ala-Igbo and also contribute 5000 BIM-MASSOB security Men to the newly established EBUBEAGU Security outfit by the Southeastern Governors
The Prime Minister assembled 2000 Men in Ebonyi State ready to be enlisted in to Ebubeagu Security outfit.
Recall that the Ezeigbo Gburugburu 2, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike while featuring on a TV program in Television Continental (TVC) promised to donate 5000 men and women to be enlisted in the newly formed Ebubeagu in other to secure the land.
Events which turns out to be histories comes into play when important people mets or dose something nice. There is no doubt about the fact that people and individuals are histories themselves.
Ebonyi state witnessed today another turning point of what could best be described as upward democracy with sincerity as the leaders of the Biafra Internal Government inaugurates the newly elected Chief Judges and the state commissioners.
The leaders of the BIG led by its Prime Minister, His Excellency, Chief Chinedu Amaifeobu, Chief Judge of the Biafra Federation, the Justice Calista Amangbo and the Minister for Planning and Strategy, Chief Dr. Larry Odinmah after touring around the state in view of knowing what could be best be produced by the state assured immediate deployment of machines and other farming implements to all the local areas of the state so as to enable them increase their agricultural capacity and to reduce lost of life due to hard labour.
The Minister for Planning and Strategy, Chief Dr. Larry Ikechukwu Odinmah while reacting to the poor excavation of sands from the Akpuoha river frowned at the ugly situation, noting that such hard labours should not be left for children especially women rather the government who does that to pay or take Care of the people from such communities .
…Investigate Ebonyi killings, Senate urges Ag IGP, security agencies
…Join forces to secure Igbo land, Ohanaeze tasks ESN
South East Governors
South East governors yesterday, vowed to resist attempt by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to frustrate its new security network, code-named Ebube Agu.
This came as the Senate also yesterday called on the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the killings and kidnapping of citizens in Ebonyi State by alleged herdsmen.
Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, tasked the Eastern Security Network to join forces with EbubeAgu to protect Igbo land against killer herdsmen.
IPOB had in a statement signed by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Tuesday, warned Igbo youths against being members of the new security network, threatening to deal ruthlessly with anyone that might serve as a spy on its activities for Ebube Agu.
”South East governors set up outfit, Ebube Agu, probably to fulfill all righteousness or to spy on ESN to curry favour from their slave masters. We, therefore, warn our youths to have nothing to do with the so-called Ebube Agu security outfit which was ostensibly formed to sabotage IPOB and ESN.
”Anyone who neglects this warning and thinks he can hide under the cloak of Ebube Agu to spy on ESN should be prepared to join his ancestors. The protection of all Biafrans is our priority and we are prepared to sacrifice anything to achieve this,” IPOB had said in the statement.
But speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, yesterday, chairman of South East Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, said the Eastern Security Network, ESN, set up by IPOB was an illegal entity which the governors would not want to lose sleep over.
He said: “The problem of this country is that people will leave their problems and make your problem their problem.
”But what some of these people are doing is to incite the South-East into war and step aside, and we are not going to buy into that; we’re not going to be deceived again.”
He said Ebube Agu was created primarily to protect lives and properties in the South East.
The governor explained that Ebube Agu was set up in compliance with the constitution, adding that what had happened was an amendment of the laws of each of the five South East states to enable operatives of existing vigilante groups in the states operate across borders to track down criminals, while also sharing intelligence.
”Operatives of Ebube Agu have been operating in the South East as Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch before now. These have only fused together as Ebube Agu for members to share intelligence and go across borders to track down criminals,” he said.
Umahi, who noted that the new security network had taken off already, said the governors had taken Ebube Agu as priority, adding that without security, there could be no talk about fixing education, health, among others.
The governor also said bandits were committing crimes in the South-East under the guise of Eastern Security Network, ESN, but insisted that governors of the region would not allow what he described as illegality to reign in the area.
“Of late, we have bandits that are now doing a lot of evil and saying that they are Eastern Security Network, ESN. They commit a lot of crimes and say they are IPOB and most of the time, IPOB will come and say ‘we have no hands in this, we have no hands in that.”
While admitting that the development made it a bit complex in fighting crime, the governor vowed that leaders of the region would not allow criminals to have a field day in the area, stressing that Ebube Agu would tackle insecurity in Igboland.
“We have the command of the law to protect the lives of our people and we would not allow illegality to thrive in our land. Conflict will not resolve conflict,” he said.
The governor noted that herders-farmers clashes were not the only threat facing the region, noting that the new security outfit was created to flush out crimes of all forms in the South-East.
Investigate Ebonyi killings, Senate urges Ag IGP, security agencies
The upper chamber made the call amid resolutions reached, sequel to the consideration of a motion brought to the floor by Senator Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North) during plenary yesterday.
Coming under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Egwu, in the motion titled: “Urgent need for the federal government’s intervention to end the serial killing of innocent and defenseless citizens in Ebonyi State by alleged herdsmen”, bemoaned the general state of insecurity in the country.
He expressed concern that, “the killing, maiming, kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives and property by herdsmen have now become the daily experience of citizens of innocent and defenseless people of Ebonyi State who are murdered in their numbers almost on weekly basis.
“Aware that on 30th day of March, 2021, over 18 indigenes of Egedege, Obehi and Amuzu communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, including a priest, were gruesomely murdered in cold blood by rampaging herdsmen.
“Alarmed that on Monday, the 12th day of April, 2021, alleged herdsmen/Agila people again invaded Otuebu, Igidi Obu and Ndiagu Ibe-Agba villages in Umuogudu Akpu community, Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and gruesomely killed over 12 innocent indigenes, burnt/destroyed over 56 houses and kidnapped five persons.
“Concerned that if the federal government does not intervene urgently, these wicked and senseless killings, kidnapping and destruction of property may continue, thereby subjecting Ebonyians and other citizens in Ebonyi State to severe hardship and terrific fear”, Senator Egwu said.
In his contribution, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North) advocated for inter-agency interventions that would put a halt to herder killings across the country.
He said: “The most important part of our time spent here has always been about reportage of killings of our people in the hands of herdsmen.
“Mr. President, this is becoming very worrisome, that in a country which is under the rule of law, issues of these nature keep repeating themselves on a daily basis.
“Mr. President, I’m begging that, in order to solve this herder issue, we should make out time to have inter-agency meetings to sit down and see how we can return to these rules of engagement that can allow us do business without hindrance. With that, I say Mr. President, that something urgent has to be done.”
On his part, Senator Michael Nnachi (PDP, Ebonyi South) lamented the number of lives lost to communal clashes between communities and herdsmen killings.
According to him, the ceaseless killings had made citizens in Ebonyi State to live in fear of being attacked by herdsmen.
“As I’m talking to you, I got a call that nobody slept at Abakaliki in fear of the herdsmen attacking them last night, because they got signal that they were around. All of them ran into their houses.
“Mr. President, not to say much, the motion as heavily moved by Senator Egwu is heart-beating. I support this motion whole-heartedly that something must be done to safeguard the lives of the people.
“In less than three weeks, over thirty-three people were killed by herdsmen; over seven hundred people killed by communal clashes between Benue, Effium and Ezza – which is part of Benue and Ebonyi.”
The Senate, accordingly, while observing a minute silence in honour of those killed by alleged herdsmen, condemned in the strongest terms the various attacks on communities in Ebonyi State which led to the destruction of lives and property.
The upper chamber, while urging the federal government and Ebonyi State government to put appropriate measures in place to forestall further attacks, requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately intervene through the provision of relief materials to the families of the victims and displaced persons in the affected communities.
It also directed the Nigerian Police and other relevant security agencies to carry out comprehensive investigation of these dastardly attacks and promptly arrest and prosecute the perpetrators as well as rescue kidnap victims still held captive.
Join forces to Secure Igbo land, Ohanaeze tasks ESN
The Engr. Chidi Ibeh faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said yesterday that the group supports all security arrangements that will curb the nefarious activities and violent killings in the South East by killer herdsmen and other criminals.
The group urged the Eastern Security Network to understand that they were fighting a common enemy in killer herdsmen and must eschew bitterness between themselves.
“We accept both the Ebubeagu Security Network, ESN, and the Eastern Security Network, ESN, as both were designed for the territorial security of South East and should be supported by every Igbo. It’s a blessing in disguise that South East has two security networks against a common enemy, the killer herdsmen/terrorists.
“We are aware of the desperation exhibited by Igbo detractors trying to foist crisis, distrust and egocentric tussles between IPOB’s Eastern Security Network and the South East Governors’ Ebubeagu Security Network for their inordinate activities to create political tensions and panic in the South East.”
Congratulating both the South East Governors and IPOB on the efforts to forestall further killings and violence in the South East, Ohanaeze pledged to enforce understandings and harmony among stakeholders in the South East by deepening consciousness and alertness on the need for peaceful coexistence between ESN and Ebubeagu in defending the territorial integrity of the South East.
“Security is local; every Igbo should understand the perilous situation Ndigbo are in at the moment. Ndigbo will not tolerate any rivalry between ESN and Ebubeagu Security Network; they must unite as sister organizations aimed towards solving insecurity challenges in the South East. Ndigbo should support both groups; there should be synergy with all security formations in the South East to end banditry.”
It is either self-determination or nothing – Obinrin Oodua Agbaye
THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Wednesday, highlighted the importance of women in Yoruba’s strive for freedom, stating that the new twist to the agitation for self-determination is that women are now involved.
He spoke when some women from the diaspora, under the agies of Obinrin Oodua Agbaye, recently visited his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State
The Ooni said: “Whatever you are doing that women are not involved cannot materialise. We are going nowhere if our women are not carried along and get involved. If you are married, and your wife is not happy with you, it is not going to work well with you unless the woman is not fighting you with sincerity.
“Women are not timid, they are warriors. From the Holy bible, we read how Deborah fought for her people and conquered. Moremi fought and delivered the people of Ancient Ife from the Igbomekun who were our deadly adversaries. Therefore, women are key to our struggle for self-determination and we must carry them along, going forward.
“We will support our women and we are happy they are taking up the battle and picking up the guanlets. Again, I want to say very expressly that If we fail to have the support of our women folks, we are going nowhere. Therefore, I welcome you to the source and I wish you well in your visit to other palaces in Yoruba Nation.”
It is either self-determination or nothing – Obinrin Oodua Agbaye
Led by their leader and Secretary-General, Princess Simisade Kuku-Onayemi and Dr Owowunmi Babalola-Okocha respectively, the women said the gods in Yoruba land have mandated them to commence spiritual measures that will lead to the prompt actualisation of Yoruba Nation without bloodshed, hence, their visit to their fatherland.
Omowumi noted that said the gods mandated them to conduct some spiritual measures in the palaces of Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Osemawe of Ondo, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Obaro of Kabba, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oloffa of Offa and Awujale of Ijebu Land respectively.
Kuku-Onayemi said: “All of us that you are seeing here today are top-notch Professionals. We have Medical Doctors, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, Engineers, Development Experts, Journalists, Academic Dons, top Bankers and Enterpreneurs among us. Majority of us are working at blue-ship public and private organizations.”
Corroborating her leader, Babalola-Okocha said: “Upon consultations, we were mandated by gods to visit the palaces of Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Osemawe of Ondo, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oloffa of Offa, Obaro of Kabba and Awujale of Ijebu Land to carry out some spiritual measures that we cannot mention details in public hence our visit to the Oduduwa Source.
“When we are done with our consultations and prayers, the people of Yoruba Nation shall be surprised at the rate by which the Yoruba Nation shall come into reality without any bloodshed. It shall be amazing and the world shall be shocked.”
In his remarks, leader of Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, who led the women to Ooni’s palace, described the action of the women as a powerful declaration showing the departure of Yoruba land from Nigeria.
He said: “Our women who gave birth to us have spoken. They have declared and the heaven has heard. What they have started is a powerful declaration showing the departure of Yoruba Nation from Nigeria.”
The People’s Court of the southwestern province of Tay Ninh, Vietnam on Tuesday, April 13, sentenced a 25-year-old Nigerian man to death for illegally transporting narcotic substances into the country from Cambodia.
Unachukwu Chiluba Paulinus was arrested on February 19, 2020, in the Ta Pheng area of Thuan Tay hamlet in Loi Thuan commune, Ben Cau district, while transporting nearly 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.
He told police that he arrived in Cambodia in 2019, where he met an African man called Oscar who hired him to transport the drugs from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City for 2,000 USD. He was paid 650 USD in advance.
After traveling by taxi from Phnom Penh to the border, he crossed over into Vietnam and was arrested by Ben Cau district’s police.
He also confessed to having earlier transported a backpack containing drugs from Cambodia to HCM City, which he delivered to an unknown man.
The decision was based on Clause 4 in Article 250 of the 2015 Penal Code, the local media reported.
Founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra and Biafra Independence Movement (BIM-MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike says that he will donate 5,000 Men And Women for the newly established Southeast Security Outfit Called ‘Ebubeagu’ without interference.
Speaking when he featured on ‘Your View’, a programme on Television Continental (TVC) on Tuesday, Uwazururike said only south-east governors have the power to establish a security outfit for the region.
On December 14, IPOB announced the launch of ESN for the south-east and south-south regions — a replication of Amotekun in the south-west zone.
The establishment of ESN sparked mixed reactions as calls on south-east governors to establish a joint regional security outfit intensified.
Amid the rising insecurity in the region, on Sunday, governors of the region announced the setting-up of a joint security outfit, codenamed ‘Ebube Agu’.
Reacting to the development, the MASSOB leader said ESN is an internet outfit that does not have any legal backing for its establishment, adding that no individual has the right to establish a security outfit for the region.
“There is nothing like Eastern Security Network. Nobody believes in ESN; that was just an internet affair — social media network. They did that on the social media,” he said.
“Nobody recognises ESN. I do not recognise ESN, personally; because nobody has the right to provide security for me when it is not legal; when it is not with the force of the law.”
“You do not have more security than Ralph Uwazuruike as an individual in the south-east. Like now I’m willing to donate 5,000 men and women to the south-east governors to work with them without interference.”
Uwazuruike said Ebube Agu is the recognised security outfit for the region because it was established by the south-east governors.
“No individual, no matter what you are, without consultation should establish a security outfit for the south-east region. It doesn’t happen. It is only Ebule Agu, established by the south-east governors that is recognised as a security outfit for the region,” he added.
“It is only the south-east governors that have the authority to establish a security outfit for the south-east. No individual has the right to establish any security outfit for the region.”
BT Afrika 