The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has described the security situation In the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones of the country as “critical”.
He said the security situation in that part of the country needed an urgent attention that would requires the police force to rejig its operational strategies to ensure that the issues were nipped in the bud.
The IGP spoke at a meeting he held with police strategic commanders in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones at the Police Force headquarters in Abuja.
He said calling a larger meeting of all Commissioners of Police (CP) and other senior officers would not be right at the moment because of the COVID-19 protocols.
While noting that the present situation needed drastic solution to curb the menace, the IGP said the meeting was aimed at discussing security issues affecting the regions and call for all hands to be on deck.
He said the issues would be discussed as a tram and thereafter, the strategic commanders would go back to their zones to implement the outcome of the meeting.
He said “it is not like we do not have problems in other geopolitical zones of the country but we have to address them one after the other.”
Prominent Yoruba monarchs have said the agitation for Oduduwa nation can be halted if the Federal Government addresses the call for restructuring.
Two first class monarchs, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, who is the Deputy Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas spoke with Saturday Sun on Friday.
They traditional rulers appraised the issues that led to agitation for Oduduwa Republic and returned verdict that the agitators have a genuine cause, based on the insecurity pervading Nigeria, nepotism, marginalization and situation, whereby some sections of the country have been positioned to be superior to other sections.
Though they warned that if the insecurity, marginalization and other forms of disputes continue, a breakup of the country might be inevitable, they did not, however, support the breakup of the country. Instead, they advocated restructuring of the nation such that true federalism would be practiced in Nigeria.
Said Olubadan: “There is no doubt that in Nigeria, a lot of people have a grouse against the way our system is being operated. What we have is not true federalism. This gave rise to separatists’ movements. If we must separate, it is not something you will announce in the mass media. Yoruba nation is not monolithic. You will have to take opinions of people before pursuing the agenda.
“As monarchs, it is our responsibility to consult deities and oracles before taking such step. Then, there must be consultations with religious leaders, politicians, business interests. If you are agitating for Oduduwa Republic, many people and groups will ask if you consulted them. You don’t take people for granted.
“What I am saying is that the consultation for self-determination should also be held differently with the people of Ibadan, Ijebu, Egba, Ondo, and so on, as well as the Yoruba in Kwara, Kogi and in the diaspora, on whether they want Oduduwa Republic or not. This is a serious issue. It is not what can be achieved in one day. If you do, you will put any lives on the harm’s way.”
Oba Adetunji, who spoke through his Personal Assistant and Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Adeola Oloko, said if the issues of structural imbalance, lopsided appointments into national positions and others divisive factors in Nigeria could be holistically addressed, the agitation for self-determination would have been addressed.
Deputy Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Alao, said the agitation for self-determination boils down to the fact that the government has failed Nigerians. He added: “So, we begin to have so many people and groups agitating for secession or self-determination. But how do we curtail this? We need to talk to the agitators. Our government needs to engage our youth. You cannot be saying you want to arrest them today, you want to arrest them tomorrow; you need to engage them into dialogue, call them for meeting and reason together. Then, there are problems of tribalism and nepotism in government. Apparently, some sections of the country feel they are more superior to other sections in the country.
“So, for me, I am not going to blame those agitators for self-determination. I will blame the government, especially the Federal Government. We need to restructure our system. The Nigeria Police Force is not functioning the way it should. If you look at it, do the police have better welfare? The defence is nothing to write home about. So, all these issues are things we need to rework and readdress properly. Also, top traditional rulers, the Federal Government should call us, let us sit down and reason together.
“Things cannot continue to go on this way. If they continue, break-up of the country may come. I do not pray for a breakup of the country. But the only solution is for the government to engage the agitators in dialogue. And then, let us restructure our system.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, yesterday, said an urgent devolution of power and restructuring of the polity has become imperative, if the country does not want another civil war.
The forum raised the alarm that the country is fast becoming a failed state, under the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.
The PDP governors expressed worry that all fault lines and differences in the country have been stretched to the limit by the present administration.
The opposition governors stated this, in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, in the Benue State capital, Makurdi. It was read by Tambuwal, who is the chairman of the forum.
The meeting was attended by Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto State; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State; Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom State; Douye Diri , Bayelsa State; Samuel Ortom, Benue State; Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu State; Nyesom Wike, Rivers State; Seyi Makinde, Oyo State, Darius Dickson Ishaku, Taraba State; Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, -Adamawa State; -Godwin Obaseki, Edo State and deputy governor of Bauchi State, Baba Tela.
Also in attendance were the PDP National chairman, Uche Secondus and the Board of Trustees (BoT), Walid Jibrin
The PDP governors said the country is dire need of a government at the federal level “to avert the looming disaster.”
According to the governors, the alleged incapacity of the APC led administration to govern has resulted to “ethnic and tribal tensions, religious divisions, and various forms of social and political cleavages.”
They added that it is alarming that “security of lives and property of Nigerians are no longer guaranteed under the present government as a result of leadership incompetence and mismanagement of the nation’s affairs “
They noted “that the APC has been unable to even have a democratically-elected National Executive Committee as required by the Nigerian Constitution. A political party that operates by military fiat with an appointed and unelected Executive Committee at all levels from ward to national, has no business running the affairs of our country.
“APC cannot deliver democracy to Nigeria; even to constitute a Board of Trustees has been an impossible task for the party since inception.”
They noted that “it is imperative for the country to take advantage of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution to decentralise the security architecture and involve states and local governments.
“We call on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to send a new Revenue Allocation Formular that allocates more resources to states and local governments to Mr President for the National Assembly’s action.”
Promises rewards to players for more winning May 9th, 2021
Mr. Kenneth in Action
By Ijeomah Anthony, Owerri (Biafra seat of power)
The minister of sports of 2nd administration of Biafra internal government, Kenneth Chukwuemeka stormed the training camp of Biafra national team, Biafra Leopard as they train and prepare to storm Zanzibar, the host nation for Conifa Africa continental football competition slated to kick off the year May.
The minister who arrived exactly about 5:15 pm, with his entourage mainly board members of Biafra football federation (BFF) to encourage and address the players on the need of hard work in order to achieve our aim at the competition, maintaining that Biafran citizens do not only want Biafra leopard to participate in Africa Conifa continental football competition; but they also want to see those who represent them internationally, raise our flag high, with pride as the national team is about to do at Zanzibar, May 2021.
Hon. Ken Chukwuemeka to national team players, “While we accept that teams lose or win, it is when there is the absence of a fighting spirit in a loss that a country offers nothing than criticism. Teams that represent their country as soldiers, gets the sympathy of their country men and women, who see themselves as one with their teams.
Mr. Kenneth
A report from Biafra internal government source at the training camp said that the minister and the board members of BFF at the camp pledged to players of reward for win on friendly matches ahead of Zanzibar 2021preparation in order to give the team the high energy and drive to get in gear to beat any team especially at the competition.
“I am excited about your big game. Remember to work hard and play the game with all intensity and integrity. I know you will do great at the competition,” minister said to players.
He also thanked the leaders of Owerri state of Biafra internal government for hosting the camp and corporations so far, as well advises the members of Owerri state to rise up to the challenges and give the needed support to the players welfare even other States leaders to join hands in doing so.
Moreover, he encourages those who want to join Biafra supporters club to do so hence the election of supporters club will take place as soon as the registered members get up to required members for now.
Finally, he thanked those who have registered as members of supporters club and tagged them as patriotic and pillars of Biafrans national teams
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said youths in the North have been mobilizing themselves via messages on social media, to stage reprisal attacks on igbos and their businesses in the region.
The ACF however, urged such youths to desist from such ‘evil plans,’ saying the forum stands against all lawless acts of self help. The forum also faults leaders in the country for their utterances which they say also inflames regional, ethnic and religious divisions in the country, urging thrn to exercise restraint.
The ACF stated this in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting (NEC) on Thursday in Kaduna, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yawe.
The forum which expressed displeasure at the state of affairs in the North, also condemned the unfortunate kiIIings of some northerners in the South East and called on security agencies to investigate the kiIIings and fish out the culprits.
Warning against retaliation, it said, “We warn our youths who have suddenly started distributing messages on the social media calling on reprisal attacks on Ibos and their business interests in the north.
“We the Arewa Consultative Forum stand against all lawless acts of self help and call on all northern youths to stop such evil plans.”
“He said, I am surprised at some of our clerics, particularly the Christian ones, since it is the religion I am more familiar with. They speak as if they read another Bible. They preach hate from the pulpits, propagate falsehood, generate animosity against government. And when these things are fully grown, the animus boils over, leads to vioIence and upheavals, lives are lost.”
Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has also accused Christian leaders of creating division among Nigerians by preaching hate from the pulpit.
“Don’t these preachers of hate know that they are liable, and won’t be found guiltless?”
Kola nut By Odogwu Eze Mustang Where we raise the kolanut made by God.They raise the bread made by man. Then we declare “He who brings kola brings life”They too declare “This is the bread of life”. We offer thanks,They offer thanks. We offer wineThey offer wine Then we bless the congregationThey too bless their […]
My Obsession and indignation with the Nigerian system stems from the prolonged marginalization of Ndigbo. As a child of nine, I witnessed the civil war and also noted the conditions for the truce which culminated in the return of Ndigbo to Nigerian with the refrain ‘no victor, no vanquished’. Within a short while, however, the intent of our oppressor downed on us.
As a seemingly defeated people, we tried to play the balls as they came, hoping that God would touch the minds of the Nigerian Authorities over our plight. But things got unbelievable when Hausa religious leaders under the aegis of religious fundamentalism would instruct their adherents in their Friday Mosque prayers to have their pound of flesh on Ndigbo to appease God. They believe that such would lead them to heaven. As a resulting, scores of Ndigbo would be massacred in parts of the North and their properties looted and destroyed. This became a recurring occurrence as even the securities sent by the Federal Government often took active part in the exercise. Investigations later revealed that Northern Politicians were privy to the instigation of the Alamajiris who they use to settle scores with whoever they had differences with. To avoid public resentment, the mangled remains of victims were buried in mass graves under the cover of the night. The few lucky escapees would later be apprehended on the way and the same glory treatment meted out on them. In some cases those who managed to find refuge in Police stations were also killed there as was the case of Gideon Akaluka who was beheaded in Kano Central Police Station.
The security of life and property of Ndigbo in Nigeria was no longer guaranteed. The defeated Igbo elites turned the other side to avoid blackmail as supporters of Igbo.
But someone has to carry the cross; someone has to bear the brunt; someone has to make the sacrifice. I decided to do it, not for any other person but for my children. There lives and properties have to be secure in a country they call their own. The person killed in Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Jos or Sokoto, through organised religious riots could be any body’s child, brother, sister, husband, wife or relative. Life is important and highly cherished. Since Nigeria, after thirty-five years of the civil war could not guarantees the security of lives and properties of Ndigbo, the only available option was Biafra. This I did.
The name Biafra is abhorrent to our oppressors. It is a taboo. It is viewed with jaundiced eyes. ‘Who is the rat talking about Biafra? Ralph who?’ they asked. And before the blink of an eye, various raids ensued. Arrests, detentions and murder of Biafran protagonists commenced. But instead of dousing the agitation, it ignited it. Professor Chinua Achebe told me that one with God is Majority. I am guided by that dictum. I am not afraid as God has always fought just wars. Ours is a war anchored on non-violence, it is God’s war.
His Excellency, Ijele Ndigbo, Chief Dr. Ralph Uwazuruike Shocked So Many Audience During His Interview With BBC Igbo Today.
Agu Na eche mba Ndigbo Displayed An Unalloyed, Unparalleled And Quintessential Diplomacy, Statesmsnship While Answering Questions From the BBC interviewer In Respect To The Owerri Attack Who Wanted To Nail Him At All Cost But Were Disappointed..
He Described the Attack As A Collapse Of Insecurity In Nigeria And Gross Incompetency Of The IGP, Director General Of DSS And Other Security Apparatus In Nigeria.
He Said, Those Who were Able To Defeat The Security Intelligence Network And Release Those In correction Centres And The State CID Without Killing Anybody Acted Professionally.
He Call For The Resignation Of The IGP. And Said, If I See Such Men I will buy Drinks For Them.
Ezeigbo Gburugburu 2, Reiterated That He Is A Non Violence Man And Can Never Support Violent. Even Though I Have The Money To Arm My Men But We Shall Remain Non Violent.
BT Afrika 