The leadership of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) and the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra’ (BIM-MASSOB) have condemned the attack on its leader and founder of the organisation, Ralph Uwazuruike, by the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of Nnamdi Kanu’s Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
MASSOB-BIM said that the latest attack on the Igbo activist has justified the organisation’s earlier position that the proscribed leader of IPOB was not genuinely and firmly fighting for Biafra.
A statement signed by the MASSOB-BIM Director of information and Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Chris Mocha, warned the perpetrators of violence to have a rethink, adding that taking up arms, murder and burning military formations will not lead anywhere but will endager the lives of our Igbo youths.
Mocha said that Kanu allegedly sending members of the ESN to attack and kill Uwazuruike at his Owerri residence was to provoke BIM- MASSOB members to resort to violence. This, he said, will ultimately failed
Ohaneze Ndigbo has made shocking revelations about the height of insecurity in the south east during am interview with vanguard news.
The president General of Ohaneze Ndigbo revealed the difference between ESN and Ebubeagu security outfit and he equally told igbos the one to support.
According to Ohaneze Ndigbo, the recent attacks on public properties and police stations in the south East is not done by igbos, IPOB or ESN. Ohaneze. Ohaneze believe it was done by those who do not want Igbos to produce the next president of Nigeria. ” There is now possibility of igbo presidency so they want turn our environments to terrorists area and declare state of emergency so that no one will come out to vote” .
Before now there has been rumor spreading that it was members of ESN that that were responsible for the attacks on police stations in the south east but now Obiozor the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo has opened our eyes to another posibility though he didn’ t mention the names of thone trying to convert south east to terrorists environment. Could there be truth in what he is saying?
Obiozor was asked about the comparison between ESN and Ebubeagu and he said the two are not the same.
” The governors are the chief security officers in there various states and any group they establish for security is the authentic one. No other group or organization can compare itself with government constituted outfit.
When asked about the activities of IPOB Obiozor said ” IPOB is our children and they must listen to us as we listen to them. we can’ t deny them because they are part of us but they shouldn’ t do anything that will harm the igbos and put us in war. “
Obiozor said any group is welcomed as long as they are fighting for the peace and progress in the region and must be under Ebubeagu because it’ s the highest in hierarchy
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.
…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.”
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.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen invaded the Ukworji Checkpoint along Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State and rained bullets on the personnel, forcing them to flee.
Dare-devil gunmen continued their assault in the South-East region of the country by attacking a checkpoint of the Nigerian Army on Sunday, burning down the operational vehicles.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen invaded the Ukworji Checkpoint along Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State and rained bullets on the personnel, forcing them to flee.
It is not clear yet if any of the army personnel was shot dead.
“Soldiers in Ukworji checkpoint, along Owerri Onitsha road escaped death as they ran away on sighting the unknown gunmen who invaded the checkpoint and set all the operational vans on fire,” a witness, Chioma Kanu, stated on Twitter.
Security operatives in Enugu State last week had their encounter with the gunmen who seemed to be gaining more effrontery to attack uniformed personnel.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have been battling with gunmen whom some residents have allegedly referred to as operatives of the Eastern Security Network in Nsukka town of Enugu State.
BT Afrika 