There is currently chaos at the Umuahia Timber market along Ahiaeke road in Abia State. Daily Trust gathered that trouble started after traders refused to pay an annual levy of N18,000 imposed by the Abia State Internal Revenue Board.
A resident said the state revenue board ordered the traders who refused to pay the levy to close down their shops.
However, the traders put up resistance when vigilantes came to the market to effect the order.
The resident said during the faceoff, the vigilantes shot one of the traders identified as ‘Indomie’, who later died while 5 others sustained injuries.
The action of the vigilante was said to have provoked the traders who retaliated by burning the section of the market where the office of the local guards is located.
They also torched some vehicles.
The Abia State Government has reacted to the crisis, condemning the destruction of Abia Vigilante Services Office and the Timber Market.
In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, asked the police to commence investigation.
The government directed the officers and men of Abia Vigilante Service to withdraw from the market, while the leadership of the market has been enjoined to assist the police identify the arsonists.
The statement read, “The impunity of burning buildings and other public institutions must stop forthwith, as arson remains a very serious crime against the state and humanity, which attracts severe consequences under our laws.
“Government will promptly discipline any Abia Vigilante Service personnel who harasses or intimidates citizens.”
The federal government has given a condition to lift its indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria. Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, said at a meeting with some envoys that Twitter’s operations in Nigeria will be restored only if the platform can be used “responmibly.”
Asked when the ban will be lifted, Onyeama said there is no definite timeline for that, but added: “The condition would be responsible use of the social media and that really has to be it.”
“We are not saying that Twitter is threatening the country or any such thing; why we have taken this measure is to stop them to be used as platforms for destabilisation and facilitation of criminality or encouragement of criminalities,” he also said.
The group also called on the Federal Government to change policies that will attract international sanctions against Nigeria.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has said the Southeastern region is now under the control of Biafran agitators due to neglect by the Nigerian government.
In a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said the region is at risk of being annexed out of the country unless the government stops the marginalisation of the South-East. Isiguzoro noted that the 100 per cent compliance level recorded during the sit-at-home order shows that the Ohanaeze cannot successfully preach the message of ‘One Nigeria’ to the Igbos.
Ohaneze Ndigbo He stated that this has become difficult due to the marginalisation of Igbo people at the national level.
The group also called on the Federal Government to change policies that will attract international sanctions against Nigeria.
The statement read: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is calling on the Federal Government to retreat from policies that will give rise to international sanctions against Nigeria, that may strengthen unbelief and scepticism amongst Nigerians towards national unity.
“Southeastern Nigeria has been mistakenly shoved out of the corporate existence of Nigeria, based on the fact that the Federal Government had sidelined one section of the country and perpetually excluded them from all essential ingredients that promote the continuous unity of Nigeria.
“The Southeastern Nigeria’s compliance with the sit-out home order, approved by Biafra agitators, signalled that the Biafra agitators are now in charge of the South-East, as the zone is at the brink of being annexed out of the country if necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the maltreatment of the southeast.
“Igbo leadership had lost control buttons of Ndigbo to IPOB and MASSOB after the full compliance of sit-at-home order. Any continuous persuasion on Igbos to be part of United Nigeria under the current neglect is a risk and herculean task for any Igbo leader or politician, based on the evidence of the structural imbalance, threats of violence, killing sprees, harsh government’s policies, and killer bandits.
“If the Federal government pretends to turn a blind eye to the looming dangers before the leaders or continue to believe in the fake news from their Igbo allies in the All Progressives Congress (APC), there is the possibility that the masses will sort things themselves without adherence to the directives of constituted authorities in the nearest future, which may spell doom for the nation if the Federal Government refuses to act urgently and renegotiate with South-East over marginalisation of the zone.
“Federal government should as a matter of urgency, relocate all federal appointees and APC leaders of Southeastern Nigeria, especially those that are residing in Abuja to come back home immediately to help solve the crisis in the region or be disengaged from the position they are occupying.
“Igbos want fair treatment as Nigerians and sincerely Federal Government should do more.”
Biafra: North Can’t Be Fooled Again, Coalition Tells Ohanaeze
Coalition of Northern Group (CNG) has reacted to the recent remark by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo against the Igbo secession bid saying the northern cannot be fooled again.
A statement issued by CNG’s spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in Abuja yesterday, reminded Ohanaeze and the Igbo that they cannot fool the North anymore.
He said it is no longer in doubt that the current violent agitations and disturbances over Biafra is clearly an agenda with wholesome backing from every component of the Igbo community in Nigeria and in the Diaspora including Ohanaeze.
The CNG said it is hypocritical of Ohanaeze at this point, to attempt to distance itself from the ongoing violence whereas it has been silent on the violence in the South East.
It accused Ohanaeze of “conspiratorially silent when Ahmed Gulak, a prominent northern figure was assassinated on the streets of Imo.”
“Prior to this, hundreds of our people have suffered similar fate in the hands of the increasingly emboldened Igbo terrorists since 2017, though largely deliberately under-reported by the traditionally hostile section of the Southern Nigerian media whose intrinsic bias manifests whenever matters that affect the North are reported or commented on.
“As evidence of an agenda that has its root and pattern in our history, Ohanaeze was also silent in the face of the clear danger and threat against the country posed by the assortment of Igbo armed groups that attack the nation’s security assets and personnel and other democracy structures at will,” it alleges.
During Jonathan’s Govt, the Northern Governors travelled to the US, convinced Obama’s government not to sell weapons to Jonathan’s administration.
Obama agreed with Northern governors plans and placed an embargo on weapon procurement by Jonathan’s administration.
To ensure that Nigeria defeats Boko Haram, Jonathan contacted a licensed private arms dealer who travelled to South Africa to buy weapons for our military. The Boko Haram members in the Presidency leaked out this secret arms deal to their Northern leaders and Governors.
The Northern governors immediately contacted President Jacob Zuma who seized the money, $9.34million which they tagged “Money laundry”. They got the information that Jonathan has contacted another South African arms dealer and reported to Zuma and he seized the $5.7m to frustrate his anti-terrorism fight.
Northern leaders in order to frustrate Jonathan also threatened to drag the former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika before the ICC for brutally dealing with their ‘Boko Haram’. #ProgressiveAffairs
• END OF TERROR: DRAGON WHO HAS BEEN THE MASTERMIND OF SERIES OF ATTACKS ON POLICE STATIONS AND HIS FOUR GENERALS KILLED
• ONE SUSPECT IS CAPTURED ALIVE AND HAS MADE USEFUL REVELATIONS
• FOUR AK 47 RIFLES STOLEN FROM POLICE WERE RECOVERED
• QUANTITY 2, 000 AMMUNITION RECOVERED
• ONE OPERATIONAL HUMMER BUS WITH REG NO: KED-382XA AND NINE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WERE ALSO RECOVERED
On 6th June, 2021 at about 0615 hours when Imolites were preparing to go to Church, hoodlums planned to turn the beautiful Sunday into a black Sunday with an attempt to attack Owerri the State Capital.
The attempt was vehemently repelled by the gallant forces of the Army, Police Special Forces and other supporting security agencies.
The attackers who came in a white hummer bus, wanted to access the Command Headquarters through Works Layout around Alvan Nursery and Primary School Owerri but had a bloody fight with the security forces. They were first Intercepted by the Military at the outer perimeter cordon provided for the Police. Five hoodlums were killed in action (KIA)including Joseph Uka Nnachi alias King of Dragons. One suspect Stanley Osinachi ‘m’ 30 years old of Achi/Mberi , Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State was arrested and presently aiding investigation. He confirmed that Dragon is the leader of the gang in Imo State reporting to their supreme leader Nnamdi Kanu. He stated that, they belong to the proscribed IPOB and ESN.
Four AK 47 Rifles with 2000 rounds of live ammunition and large number of explosives were recovered from the scene. The Rifles breech numbers were crossed checked and found to be the same Police Rifles that were stolen by the hoodlums from our Police station at Omuma on 31st May, 2021 which claimed the lives of four Policemen.
OTHER RECOVERED EXHIBITS ARE: I. Assualt (AR) Rifle Breach N0: 03018058 II. Assualt (AR) Rifle Breach N0: 070007055 III. Assualt (AR) RIFLE Breach N0: 5801297 IV. Six locally fabricated Explosive Devices V. Police Beret Cap VI. 7 AK47 Magazines fully loaded VII. 1 military cap VIII. 1 military cardigan (Polo) IX. 1 Silver Coloured Mini Bus with Reg N0: WAM-8673 B ABD X. I Hummer Bus with Reg N0: KED-382 X Ladden with Explosive Devices.
The same gang together with their members that were killed in previous operations were responsible for series of attacks in different parts of the State. They are the same people in the viral video that blocked the flyover at Orji and killed three unarmed civilians, including a woman they brought out of their vehicle blindfolded. A Police Inspector sustained gun shot wounds during the exchange of fire this morning and is currently receiving medical attention.
The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc has commended the gallant effort of the security forces who stood firm and put their lives on the line in this accomplishment and restore sanity to Imo State. The CP used the opportunity to condole with families of Policemen that lost their lives in the hands of these terror gangs over the last few weeks and those that sustained various degrees of injuries. They are the real heroes. The Commissioner of Police also extends his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc, NPM, fdc for supporting the command with the necessary resources used in combating the deadly gang.
The CP also thank the Government and people of Imo State for their support and undiluted trust in the ability of the Police to restore peace to the State.
Most importantly, the Commissioner of Police deeply appreciate the Armed Forces and the DSS. The Department of State Services has constantly fed the joint operation with credible intelligence while the Military has consistently provided defence and outer cover to the Police. The synergy amongst all the services is superb and has culminated in the landmark victory recorded today.
Lastly, the Commissioner of Police is calling on all those in possession of weapons stolen from Security Agencies to return them to the nearest Police Station or Military Installation not later than 12th June 2021, to prevent the long arms of the law catching up with them.
SP Bala Elkana, ANIPR, Police Public Relations Officer, For Commissioner of Police, Imo State.
The Biafran leader Barr. (Chief) Dr. Ralph wazuruike has said the injustice against the people of south east who are Biafrans started after the amalgmation of northern and southern protectorates in 1914 by lord lugard.
Uwazuruike spoke on Thursday during the Unrepresented Nations and people’s organization, UNPO, preparatory conference: Africa and Middle East Regional forum.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by his Media Assistant, Elder Chris Mocha said 1914 amalgamation caused our problems noting that northerners who are mostly Muslims always tended to dominate and islamize the entire Nigeria moreover the south eastern Nigeria who are Biafrans and predominantly Christians.
Because of this diversity in religion and culture, in 1967 there was this war between Nigeria and Biafra where more than 3 million Biafrans were killed, Uwazuruike said.
He continued, “After three years the Nigeria – Biafra’ civil war ended and since then, the land of Biafra has been inundated with all sorts of violence from the Nigerian state
Just currently, on september 1999 , we started to agitate for Biafra because of the inequality existing in Nigeria and this we adopted the option of non- violence in other to make sure no body suffers the huge loss to lives that was occassioned by the war of 1967 – 1970.”
Sadly, not withstanding BIM-MASSOB’s adoption of non violence in our quest for Biafra’s Independence, our members have been killed by the Nigerian state.
Since the administration of president Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria about 6 years ago, the Myetti Allah which is ranked as the 4th terrorist organizations in the world are occupying our territory, our lands, farms, killing our people and raping our women thereby making it impossible for our people to go to farm.
Irrespective of these atrocities the armed Fulani herdsmen are committing against the Biafran people , the federal government of Nigeria under Muhammadu Buhari has refused to brand them as terrorists rather the government of Nigeria continued to pander them and to make it look as if the carrying of Ak-47 riffles and killing of people in the Biafra’ territory is l is legalized and legitimized.
” Since the current administration of Muhammadu Buhari, our people can never again go to their farm lands . The Fulani herdsmen carry sophiscated weapons including Ak-47 guns not only in the bushes but along the streets and waylaying people and kidnapping for ransome while Buhari pretends as if nothing is happening”.
Presently the Inspector General of police (IGP) Alhaji Alkali Usman gave order to his officers and men that the agitators of Biafra’ should be dealt with mercilessly and killed
. As a result of this order, Biafrans are been hounded day and night by the operatives of Director of security service, DSS.
Currently, the Nigerian president has also deployed the men of DSS to enter public transport vehicles to find out who are in support of Biafra.
Some of these men of DSS will develop discussions on Biafra and whoever soeaks in favour of Biafra they will take such persons to the bush and slaughtered them.
Today the DSS operatives are going from house to house looking for people mostly young men and young women of Biafra and killing them and no body speaks for us This is what we are seeing today.
So many of the members of BIM-MASSOB are languishing in jail as I speak . This notwithstanding, we are still upholding the doctrine of non violence.
Just recently, all the major pro-Biafra organizations came together and floated the Defacto Biafra customary government and this government believes in non -violence because we do not want to change our bellief in the peaceful method to achieve our sovereignty.
Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), has ordered the prosecution of those violating the ban on Twitter. The directive is in a statement issued by Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, media aide of Malami, on Saturday.
On Friday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter.
Twitter’s suspension by the federal government came two days after a post by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 1967 civil war was deleted by the microblogging platform.
Nigerians have been able to use virtual private network (VPN) to bypass the ban by the federal government.
The Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of former Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
ISWAP confirmed that Shekau blew himself up after refusing to surrender following the invasion of his hideout on May 19, 2021.
This was contained in a message from Abu Mus’ab Habeeb Bin Muhammad Bin Yusuf al-Barnawi, born Habib Yusuf, leader of the terrorists.
According to HumAngle, al-Barnawi, in an address on Friday, described Shekau as “the leader of disobedience and corruption.”
He said Shekau’s fighters rejoiced over his death, adding that the former terrorist leader, who took over after the death of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009, was apprehended “in the most humiliating manner.”
ISWAP, which broke away from Shekau’s Boko Haram faction in 2016, disagreed with the late extremist leader over his excessive use of force, especially on Muslims in areas under his influence.
He stated that the interim leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ordered them to take action on Shekau for deviating and killing “believers.”
ISWAP fighters then took their arms, travelled through the Sahara, went into Shekau’s enclave, and engaged in a gun battle with his followers.
“Shekau preferred to be humiliated in the afterlife than getting humiliated on earth. He killed himself instantly by detonating an explosive,” he said.
■ Groups rebuff Akpabio’s overtures, warn of dire consequences
June 5, 2021
NDDC: Pressure mounts on Tompolo, as Ateke, others back demand for board
By Paul Osuyi and Ben Dunno, Warri
Tension is building again in the oil rich Niger Delta region as the seven-day ultimatum issued by ex-militant warlord, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for the Federal Government to reconstitute the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) expires today.
Tompolo had last Sunday roared from the creeks, warning of dire consequences should the interventionist agency continue to be operated by a sole administrator which other stakeholders described as a flagrant disregard for the law establishing the commission, and taking the people of the Niger Delta region for a ride.
As a result of the tension generated by Tompolo’s ultimatum, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godswill Akpabio visited Delta State where he met with some key stakeholders with a view to dousing the rising tension.
But at the closed door meeting with stakeholders held at the palace of the paramount ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the Minister was tongue-lashed for his foot dragging in inaugurating the board.
Sources said the meeting was so heated that at a point Akpabio attempted to stage a walkout.
Tompolo was said to have snubbed the meeting but reportedly sent a message to Akpabio to go back to Abuja and inaugurate the NDDC board without further delay.
Speaking at the meeting, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa represented by his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro said the position of Delta State Government was that the right thing should be done regarding the NDDC Board in accordance with the Act that established it.
President of Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA), Amos Ogbokor-Etaluku who also spoke, said the entire youths of the region had aligned themselves with the ultimatum, warning that the safety of oil workers would not be guaranteed in the coming days.
On his part, President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba expressed dismay that Akpabio was running NDDC with a sole administrator in contravention of the Act establishing it.
Spokesman of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekeme was quoted as expressly telling the Minister that “the people seated here are not IYC executives that you can just call to Abuja.
“The presence of soldiers in our region is not the reason for peace, it is because of our resolve. We want that board to be constituted, the ultimatum stands. After the ultimatum and nothing is done, don’t blame anybody.”
Speaking earlier Akpabio made reference to how war would break out in the Niger Delta if tension continues to grow.
He said that it was necessary for the youths to give peace a chance going by the fragile nature of the Niger Delta region, saying that “we must not allow our region to boil. We must support the Federal Government, particularly this present government.”
He said his visit was primarily to consult the people on the way forward and also to appeal for peace.
It was, however, learnt that the minister left the peace parley at Oporoza with the promise to commence the process of constituting the substantive NDDC board on returning to Abuja.
