₦airaland Forum

jlinkd78:
When you mix up your professionalism with politics. Dokpesi birthed independent broadcast media with his AIT and Raypower but he got carried away when he started being obviously partisan. This is a terrible blow for Atiku and his gangs. I remember him touring d South East for Atiku earlier and how that his actions was meant to demarket Obi. This is why we need to elect leaders without questionable past. Imagine a Tinubu or Atiku winning election and being arrested in foreign land despite immunity which is alien to d whites. Let's drop sentiment and vote Obi-Datti and if they fail us next four years we replace them. That way politicians will know that d true structure is d voting masses who can hire and fire them at will. This is d only way a workable Nigeria is possible

Vote Obi with his Pandora baggage?

The leg man for Emefiele.

ChukwuObe:
To all Yoruba youths with no sense of history:

Those whose people refused to vote Awolowo to turn things around in1979 because of hatred and jealousy will never taste presidency anytime soon. If Awolowo was not good for them then, why should the failure they are parading now be good for us? We shall all meet at the poll in February 25th.

2023: Why Igbo can’t get the presidency — Sen Kadiri

Senator Alex Kadiri is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress. He speaks with OSARETIN OSADEBAMWEN on the demand for Igbo Presidency in 2023 and the hurdles ahead of that plan and why the minority groups in the country will find it difficult to rule the country.

AGAINST the allegation that the Northern establishment is planning to retain power in the North, the South-East is staking its right to the presidency in 2023 going by the rotational arrangement. Do you think the South-East merits such consideration for 2023?

My belief is that power cannot remain in the North forever. Power has resided in the North for too long. Having said that, I must be frank with you, you are in my house. Nobody gives you power. You go in search of it and fight for it just like Abiola did. The late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola had a long-term plan for the presidency. People did not understand him. He established Concord Newspaper, put people from different parts of the country in charge. That’s how Yakubu Mohammed became the Editor of Concord. Dele Giwa became the Editor of Sunday Concord, and so on and so forth. If you are friend of Abiola living in Kano or Sokoto, Abiola will fly there if you have a naming ceremony in spite of the inconvenience and the bad weather or he will send a ram for the naming ceremony.

He established a football club, the Abiola Babes and was basically funding the Nigerian Football Association (NFA). So, his name was being sung by the people all through the country through his acts of philanthropy, through acts of employment for those who got employment. There were those he gave money to establish their own businesses. He didn’t care if you are Yoruba from Egba or Yoruba from Ekiti, or Fulani from Sokoto. He patronised most people in the country. So when it was time for him to ask for the presidency, his job was easy. He even challenged Nigerians by picking another Muslim from Borno, Babagana Kingibe, as his running mate in a country where we pretend to be more religious than the Pope. Yet, people voted for him. I voted for him too.

Now, whether the presidency goes to the Igbo people in the South or the Ijaw who are also in the south or the Bini who are also in the South, only God knows. I hate this idea of people saying the presidency is now for the Igbo man. I was surprised that a man like Okwesilieze Nwodo, former chairman of a party like the PDP, is saying that if they don’t give the Igbo people the presidency, he would ask Igbos to go and join Kanu in IPOB. That is almost a treasonable statement.

Don’t you now think his comment earns some merit, given the South to North and North to South presidential shift since 1999, especially when the South-South and South-West have produced presidents: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan?

Look, I don’t know if you watched the interview with late Samaila Isa Funtua on Channels Television? It must have been a recorded programme they showed after he died. And he said things that I believe in. Any Igbo man who wants to be the president of Nigeria must come out and work for it.

No Igbo man is going to sit in Umuahia, Enugu or Awka and Nigerians would say, okay it is your turn. When will it be the turn of the Binis? As you know, there are other tribes, very many, in this country like the Tivs. When will it be the turn of these people? Those of us from the Middle Belt, we are beginning to think that in the schemes of affairs, nobody is thinking of the Middle Belt anymore because we are small tribes scattered all over the place.

Some people now feel that maybe the only way an Igala man or a Tiv man or a Berom man can ever ascend the leadership of this country is through the military because when it comes to party, nobody takes us seriously. The Igbo man believes that the Hausa Fulanis have held this position for too long, the Yorubas too have used it but the Igbo man is the greatest enemy of himself.

Why is that?

They are very disorganised. Do you know that when Atiku Abubakar picked Peter Obi as his running mate in the last election, do you know that Peter Obi could not harvest votes from Igbo land to help Atiku win the Presidency? The complaint about Peter Obi in the South-East was very vociferous. Maybe, because the other people have made a promise, as I read somewhere that they had made a promise that the next president of Nigeria is going to be an Igbo man. I don’t know what powers the president has by appointing somebody else from the South-East without the persons from the South-East fighting for this position.

Let me tell you something that is instructive: when Igbos in the North visited former President Ibrahim Babangida recently, he said the Igbos are in every nooks and cranny of Nigeria. They should use their presence in every village to network for votes in addition to the desire to look for money in those places. What Abiola used his own personal wealth to achieve, the Igbos who are scattered all over Nigeria can do it effortlessly if they really mean well for themselves. They’re not doing this.

What could be responsible for this?

Well, I don’t know. I’ve tried to look at it but I cannot understand it. My wife is Igbo. So, I have nothing against the Igbo people. The fact of the matter is they don’t mean well for themselves. Their republican and unrealistic approach to issues is not helping them, especially in a complex country like Nigeria where you need to network. Do not wait until the month or the week of the year of the election before you start making friends, hoping to be nominated. Before you can become a presidential candidate a party must field you. Like Ismaila Funtua said in that Channels TV interview, a party will field the candidates it believes may win election for it. It’s not just about fielding Alex Kadiri because I talk too much. How many people will vote for me? It will field somebody who can win votes from Sokoto, votes from Borno, Rivers, votes from Akwa Ibom, Ogun and so on. That’s the only way. How many Igbo politicians have that kind of spread right now? They are running back into their enclave, chanting that the 2023 Presidency is for the Igbo man. That’s wishful thinking. I can’t see them with any strength in APC. I can’t see them with any strength PDP. APGA has been boxed into Anambra State.

Just a few days ago, former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, said that the leadership of the Igbo race has fallen on his shoulder and that of the Chief Whip of the Senate and former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu. Which of them, in your estimation can garner votes from across Nigeria as you just explained?

It is one thing to be known as an individual in politics. It’s another thing to be liked by people in politics. Take Rochas, for example, he has schools here and there. That is good. However, if you meet some Igbo people, they will tell you he cannot be the representative of the Igbos. They have their reasons. I don’t know. You take Orji Kalu? Whether we like it or not, he has been to prison and has come out, not for political reasons, do you get my point?

Not really…

In Pakistan, many of their presidents have been to prison and come to become president later. They do it because of political reasons. They are not accused of anything. I hope you can see the difference. Some of this people have commas and full stops in their profiles. Why can’t we have somebody who does not have skeleton in the cupboard from the South-East? Someone has mentioned former governor of the Central Bank, Professor Chukwuma Soludo. He is a nice man, but where is his political base, Nsukka, maybe Awka? He is not a politician. He is a technocrat. He is a professor. He is an economist; for all these marks of excellence, I clap for him, (claps). Any Igbo man who wants to be president of Nigeria including Uzor Kalu, Okorocha, even Arthur Eze, their oga pata pata or Ifeanyi Ubah, all of them cannot sell themselves even in the states where they reside. That is a challenge they must overcome.

Let me tell you a funny story, when we were in the Senate, we zoned the Senate Presidency to the South-East. Evans Enwerem became our president. There were all kinds of problems due to issue of certificate or no certificate, even on performance; we put him aside and picked Chuba Okadigbo. Intellectually sound, but he was sleeping on the job; we decided to remove Chuba. We were now left in the Senate with Ifeanyi Araraume, Arthur Nzeribe and Adolphus Wabara, Nnamdi Oreagbuna and some others, we were faced with these choices.

There was hardly anyone to choose from because when you need to know more about each of them, go and meet their Igbo brothers. They know more than you and I will ever know about themselves. So this presidency that everybody is clamouring for, we are heading in the same direction. Are Imo people clapping for Rochas today? The Abia people, are they clapping for Orji Uzor Kalu today? Anambra people, are they clapping for Ifeanyi Ubah? So, there are a lot of problems they have to go back home to sort themselves out first. The ones that have good names and credibility outside have no political tripod on which to stand like I just mentioned, Chukwuma Soludo. That is the problem. So, to say that the Igbo man must become president… who is this Igbo man that will become president, and under which political party?

Are you saying it is not possible for the Igbo man to be president in 2023?

I can’t see the way through. You tell me how? As I just mentioned to you, there is no serious Igbo man in APC. There is Ogbonnaya Onu, Hope Uzodinma but the only person to me is Chris Ngige. He is the one that has the experience; he has been a governor, a senator and now he is a minister. So in terms of experience, he has it but has he got the backing at home? These are the issues. Somebody may drop from America or from Europe or India that we don’t know yet.

You did not mention Moghalu in your list of South-East Presidential material

His case is almost the same as that of Soludo.

Are you saying that no other political party can produce a president outside the APC and the PDP?

It is possible. You saw Ghali Na’Abba, Bugaje, and so on floating a movement now. Normally, when they start this kind of thing, they used to inform me. But do you see any Igbo man there? Have you heard of any serious Igbo man in their midst? That front is basically being pushed by people of Northern extraction who have fallen out of favour with the current people in power. Quote me.

Do you think they will be relevant politically in 2023?

Well, with the way things are going in this country, if they are able to play their cards well, by building a party like the Chinese, which they said is what they are trying to do… I have heard Bugaje’s position paper, they are building from towns and wards. If this thing works and is not sabotaged by the powers that be, if it sails through, that may be a successful outing for everybody. As they are molding this thing now, I don’t see any serious Igbo person participating right now. Can they finish what they are doing now and because they want to bring Nigeria together, go and look for somebody who is unknown and give it to him to become president? It is not possible. It is never done in any country.

What is your honest advice for the Igbo nation?

What they need to do is to widen the scope of their political participation. This mentality of I am richer than you is what is killing them and that has led to many sections of this country hating them. You want to be richer than your neighbour, money all the time. If they can spread out their net, catch more fishes, when the time comes, people would now look at the characters involved and make a choice. When Dr. Alex Ekwueme was the vice-president, in spite of all criticisms about Igbo people, nobody could point accusing finger at him. Nobody that I know appeared in the media to say Alex Ekwueme is a corrupt person. Can somebody like that come out of the South-East? This is the issue. But because of their pursuit of money, they do so many things and people have doubts about them.

For the Igbo people to aspire to be president of Nigeria, they must spread out, make friends from other places, not just making money from Nguru, Sokoto, or Idah. Where they make this money, what is their relationship with the host community? The money they are making should also serve as good avenues to attract votes for the Igbo man. Again, since we are practising democracy, the Igbo man who wishes to be president must belong to a party that is likely to win an election. No party will put up a candidate that it feels may not win any election. It is as simple as that. I wish a woman like Ngozi Okonjo Iweala were a politician. At least Nigerians now know who she is; she has shown us her worth and she is a worthy person across the globe; she needs no introduction. She may not have the funds to play the type of politics we play in Nigeria now, but if that type of person can stand out among the Igbos, it won’t matter whether she is Asaba Igbo, Ika Igbo or Orlu Igbo whatever. When the chips are down from these same Igbo people, you start hearing from them things that you would not want to hear a second time: who is proper Igbo or who is an Osu etc? Such divisiveness at a time when you would need them to pull their strength together! I worry for them. No human dead or alive can take the presidency of Nigeria and give it to the Igbo man. The Igbo man must find space in the existing parties or if he can form his own and attract membership to be able to campaign and win election.

GlobTrotter:
I dont think this is true. Maybe for the UK. But for US I doubt. I have not been there, I live in Brazil, what I know is that it's quite difficult for African ladies to get a guy here.

But I can tell you the women here are on fire and they love black guys.

That might be because they native
black community.

longetivity:
Every candidates will meet meet at the polls.

IT'S NIGERIANS THAT WILL DECIDE.

Are those in the crowd not Nigerians?
Can't you see that they're deciding
already

Oya japa gang, on the march to
Pakistan!!!

boldking:
Better at least after selling it then use the money to campaign for Peter Obi to make a better NIGERIA for you and our next generations

To use the proceeds to open a beer
parlour or invest in unproductive,
senseless personal ventures e in a
tax haven?

Samunique:
2023 year is my year of unprecedented breakthroughs in Jesus name.

You too can claim it !

Amen IN JESUS' Name.

Okoroawusa:
You have not read his son Gbenga letter or that of his daughter in law.... you will vomit.

He doesn't even know how many children he has and his children don't know how many they are as siblings. That's how wayward he was.

He is. LOL

gidgiddy:
While you people that are neither Igbos nor live in the South East, but like to carry South East insecurity on your heads like basket of yam, are trying to blame IPOB for every crime in the South East, without any investigation or facts to prove it is IPOB

thread here: Ahmed Gulak Shot Dead In Owerri

Troops arrest IPOB commander who allegedly killed Gulak

Ahmed Gulak was a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

By Chinagorom Ugwu December 28, 2022

The Nigerian troops have arrested a deputy commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who allegedly killed Ahmed Gulak, a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, according to PRNigeria.

The suspect, Nwagwu Chiwendu, was arrested on Tuesday during the burial of his father at Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.

Mr Chiwendu was to be the IPOB’s main trainer in weapon handling, who later rose to become the second in command to Temple, who is now the leader of the group in the state.

The suspect, Mr Chiwendu, was said to have deserted the Nigerian Army, and joined IPOB’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), since 21 January.

“He served on OPHK and thus has operational experience. He was arrested yesterday during the buria

toujurs:
Are you an illiterate, can't you read .

These guys are trained assassin's, Ipob are just common agigators, would they leave their business and children to feed. To go and fight

thread here: Ahmed Gulak Shot Dead In Owerri

Troops arrest IPOB commander who allegedly killed Gulak

Ahmed Gulak was a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

By Chinagorom Ugwu December 28, 2022

The Nigerian troops have arrested a deputy commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who allegedly killed Ahmed Gulak, a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, according to PRNigeria.

The suspect, Nwagwu Chiwendu, was arrested on Tuesday during the burial of his father at Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.

Mr Chiwendu was to be the IPOB’s main trainer in weapon handling, who later rose to become the second in command to Temple, who is now the leader of the group in the state.

The suspect, Mr Chiwendu, was said to have deserted the Nigerian Army, and joined IPOB’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), since 21 January.

“He served on OPHK and thus has operational experience. He was arrested yesterday during the buria

JealousCobra:
I had been observing your comments, truly you should be more on "joke section" than being here.


IPOB is a law abiding and hard working people, take note of that!

thread here: Ahmed Gulak Shot Dead In Owerri

Troops arrest IPOB commander who allegedly killed Gulak

Ahmed Gulak was a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

By Chinagorom Ugwu December 28, 2022

The Nigerian troops have arrested a deputy commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who allegedly killed Ahmed Gulak, a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, according to PRNigeria.

The suspect, Nwagwu Chiwendu, was arrested on Tuesday during the burial of his father at Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.

Mr Chiwendu was to be the IPOB’s main trainer in weapon handling, who later rose to become the second in command to Temple, who is now the leader of the group in the state.

The suspect, Mr Chiwendu, was said to have deserted the Nigerian Army, and joined IPOB’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), since 21 January.

“He served on OPHK and thus has operational experience. He was arrested yesterday during the buria

JealousCobra:
I had been observing your comments, truly you should be more on "joke section" than being here.


IPOB is a law abiding and hard working people, take note of that!

thread here: Ahmed Gulak Shot Dead In Owerri

Troops arrest IPOB commander who allegedly killed Gulak

Ahmed Gulak was a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

By Chinagorom Ugwu December 28, 2022

The Nigerian troops have arrested a deputy commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who allegedly killed Ahmed Gulak, a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, according to PRNigeria.

The suspect, Nwagwu Chiwendu, was arrested on Tuesday during the burial of his father at Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.

Mr Chiwendu was to be the IPOB’s main trainer in weapon handling, who later rose to become the second in command to Temple, who is now the leader of the group in the state.

The suspect, Mr Chiwendu, was said to have deserted the Nigerian Army, and joined IPOB’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), since 21 January.

“He served on OPHK and thus has operational experience. He was arrested yesterday during the buria

mycar:
Fools, we are talking about criminals and you are saying IPOB. of what use is he to IPOB?
You lot are the ones making criminals feel good about themselves, your utterances are shielding them from what they're really are.

thread here: Ahmed Gulak Shot Dead In Owerri

Troops arrest IPOB commander who allegedly killed Gulak

Ahmed Gulak was a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

By Chinagorom Ugwu December 28, 2022

The Nigerian troops have arrested a deputy commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who allegedly killed Ahmed Gulak, a political adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, according to PRNigeria.

The suspect, Nwagwu Chiwendu, was arrested on Tuesday during the burial of his father at Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.

Mr Chiwendu was to be the IPOB’s main trainer in weapon handling, who later rose to become the second in command to Temple, who is now the leader of the group in the state.

The suspect, Mr Chiwendu, was said to have deserted the Nigerian Army, and joined IPOB’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), since 21 January.

“He served on OPHK and thus has operational experience. He was arrested yesterday during the buria

tinsel:
https://www.thecable.ng/obasanjo-seeking-third-term-through-obi-says-pdp-campaign-council/amp

This is brilliant! !!!!

How many times? What happened to
his earlier endorsements?
Worthlessness !!!

But right to forge the constitution to
allow you to run a third third term as the
president ?

Mushroom are you in the house and
reading all this stuff? Let's know who's
a liar between you the gang
talkingabout
high level racism and suffering in
Russia. You must stop hiding, you must
come out and defend your lies

Mushroom and you in the house and
reading all this stuff? Let's know who's
a liar between you the gang talkingabout
high level racism and suffering in
Russia. You must stop hiding, you must
come out and defend your lies

What you call your best is the greatest
disservice anybody has ever done to
Nigeria. It's worse than Nigeria's
amalgamation and the civil war rolled
together and multiplied a billion times
You destroyed Nigeria far beyond hope.

You've hit a gold mine, see a lawyer
immediately.

BigBelleControl:
Ijangbara sounds like struggle in English. The name itself can scare FG. They should have called it Freedom FM or something more subtle.

Ijangbara means fight for self - freedom,
or freedom fighters

Sultty:
it's ok to make doyin okupe his campaign dg he is not saying he's going to make him part of his cabinet when he wins election. Obi i know and I'll vote for him

You people are always talking foolishly. So IT'S alright to make a confirmed and convicted ROBBER a PCC DG? So that Okupe's character and personality could now draw people unto Obi to vote for him Do you understand what you are saying? Nobody is judging you for making Obi your choice. Vote for him for as many times as possible. No one cares about that, because your vote, or any Igboman's vote for that matter, is useless.

JoeNL22:
The two of you, hear the words of Nigerians, campaign and canvas votes for Omoluabi Obi. For with Obi through sane Nigerians, an old Nigeria is ImPOssible

Even those of Obi and the Labour Party, the only thing that they have on their trail is massive corruption.

“How can a party who could not do a proper due diligence check on those they are appointing as campaign Director General (DG) before making such appointment, want to change Nigeria? Change Nigeria with crooks?”

ominilongest:
The system failed him.
The system failed the victim.
I wish we can lock the system up.

.


Or set it on fire !!!

Which support do you carry, a spent
bullet?

Reinaldo:
Na by force? Someone from another party can see clearly that Peter Obi is the chosen one but urchins just chose to be blind...eeya.

“How can a party who could not do a proper due diligence check on those they are appointing as campaign Director General (DG) before making such appointment, want to change Nigeria? Change Nigeria with crooks?”

orlahtohbadt:
May Ellen Ezekiel you meant?

Yes exactly, and thank you for the
correction. .

Please can you be kind enough to.
this no : 0/90/314/070//62 , that I
may contact you. GOD bless,
amen.

tunwumi:
They are Tinubu boys

They are from Lagos state




They are Yorubas....LOL

Thank GOD Yorubas have taken
over the entire Southeast, cos
Ibos are weaklings and lilly - liverd.

IGoComotYaTeeth:
Lagos Touts and Agberos are worse than Anambra's Agberos

Have you ever heard of a celebrity being kidnapped? Only Lagos has broken that record if you think I'm lying ask Banky W

And what's the difference between One Million Boys and Ipob? Somebody should tell me.

Unknown Gunmen Now Known. They Are Igbos Who Kill For Human Organs – Soludo

AFTER wrecking havoc in various communities in Anambra State for several months during which many people were kidnapped, killed and sometimes beheaded, many of the so-called unknown gunmen have, at last, become known.
In a space of one year, no fewer than 30 persons, including security operatives, lost their lives through the activities of the unknown gunmen. Many police stations and operational security vehicles were also burnt by the gunmen during their operations.

The situation was so bad that the November 2021 governorship election in Anambra State was threatened such that the electoral umpire, INEC, almost muted the idea of suspending the election. It was at the height of the unknown gunmen saga in the state that Dr. Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late Professor Dora Akunyili, was killed. Akunyili was felled at Nkpor in Idemili by gunmen after attending a programme in Onitsha where he picked a posthumous award for his late wife.

Other killings by the unknown gunmen were to follow, including those of the lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the state House of Assembly, Dr. Okechukwu Okoye, a former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Nelson Achukwu, a woman and her four children who were killed at UGA and an Onitsha based man, Sir Paulinus Mbanugo.

When Governor Chukwuma Soludo assumed office, he could not settle down properly for work immediately because no day passed without stories of gunmen burning police stations and attacking local government headquarters, or killing people. Many communities had to inform their relations residing outside the state not to come home until the situation improves.

Realizing that no meaningful achievement could be recorded under such a situation, Soludo swore to recover the state first before going into the execution of his promised programmes for the people. And so, the battle began. First, he revived the Anambra Vigilante Group and empowered them to be able to face the usually heavily armed gunmen. From all indications, results of the governor’s action are positively showing.

Recently, eight persons suspected to be connected with the murder and beheading of the late Hon Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker representing Governor Soludo’s Aguata Constituency 11 and his aide, were arrested by security operatives. Few others have also been picked and they are assisting security operatives in locating the camps in the forests. In these forests, such items, including coffins, charms, dangerous drugs, women, cars of all makes and large sums of money were common features.

Following the routing and smoking out of these gunmen from their camps in the forests, normalcy is gradually returning to the various communities. The routing started with the destruction of one of the most dreaded camps located in the thick forest along the bank of Oseakwa River bordering Ihiala and Ogwuaniocha in Ogbaru local government area where the supposed king of the gunmen, popularly known as Double Lion, held sway.

On the day he and four of his members were killed, Double Lion didn’t see it coming as they were easily gunned down by their breakaway colleagues who have since repented and are now working for the state. It was gathered that they had to eliminate Double Lion and his gang because they jettisoned the original plan by extorting and harassing people during weddings, burials and other ceremonies.

Double Lion, who hailed from Awoidemili in Orsu local government area of Imo State began his gun activities along the now abandoned Awka Etiti – Utuh- Ukpor- Orsumoghu- Lilu- Mbosi- Isekke axis, which used to be the connecting route between Anambra and other states of Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states because of the traffic gridlock along the Onitsha-Owerri road.

The armed gang also created a new operational camp in the Unubi bush, a town located in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State. However, when the gunmen made that axis their haven and set up similar camps inside Orsumoghu and Lulu forests, motorists abandoned the route after many people had either been kidnapped or killed.

Happenings on that road made Governor Chukwuma Soludo to impose curfew on the entire Anambra South senatorial zone and banned the use of motorcycles at certain times in the zone.

The governor, who was seriously challenged by the gunmen, swore never to surrender the state to them, insisting that his administration must reclaim and make Anambra a livable state.

In the words of the governor, majority of the unknown gunmen are Igbo. “Let us be very clear: These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra are Igbos (dominantly from other South East states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region. Why is it that everywhere they gather and in every camp they operate, there is a deity/idol to which they routinely offer blood in sacrifice? Igbo are known for their enterprise but these criminals are bent on killing Ndigbo businesses.

“The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their deities, with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.

“Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.

“With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people.” They have failed, and would continue to fail.”

Five months gone in his administration, Soludo is winning the battle, such that the so-called unknown gunmen have become known.

Those of them who have succumbed to the superior power of the state security apparatus have been ranting and confessing their escapades in the state.

Take the case of Chukwudi, alias 50, for example. The hoodlum, who said he has been part of the unknown gunmen in Anambra State for the past one year, confessed that he had so far killed four persons, including two policemen and two civilians.

‘50’ was caught inside a forest at Ukpor, his home town, in Nnewi South local government area of the state along with other members of his gang by security operatives.

The security operatives had last week stormed the camp and arrested some of the unknown gunmen and destroyed the camp. Items recovered during the raid include arms and ammunition, police and military uniforms, a coffin containing charms and various kinds of drugs.

He said that although many people had been killed inside the camp, including those whose relations already paid ransom, he had not killed more than four people, adding that the last person he killed before their camp was destroyed was at the instance of their leader who ordered him to kill the man because he was a saboteur.

He said that their leader, Ezemuo, (King of spirits) now at large, was doing most of the killings, along with the late Double Lion who was killed at Ihiala.

Chukwudi said: “We killed some people because they were accused of monitoring us and acting as informants to the police and government. The two policemen I killed were at Ozubulu and I did it because the commander ordered me to do so.

“Our commander, Ezemuo, is from Imo State and he has run away, while Virus,
“The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their deities, with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.

“Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.

“With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people.” They have failed, and would continue to fail.”

Five months gone in his administration, Soludo is winning the battle, such that the so-called unknown gunmen have become known.

Those of them who have succumbed to the superior power of the state security apparatus have been ranting and confessing their escapades in the state.

Take the case of Chukwudi, alias 50, for example. The hoodlum, who said he has been part of the unknown gunmen in Anambra State for the past one year, confessed that he had so far killed four persons, including two policemen and two civilians.

‘50’ was caught inside a forest at Ukpor, his home town, in Nnewi South local government area of the state along with other members of his gang by security operatives.

The security operatives had last week stormed the camp and arrested some of the unknown gunmen and destroyed the camp. Items recovered during the raid include arms and ammunition, police and military uniforms, a coffin containing charms and various kinds of drugs.

He said that although many people had been killed inside the camp, including those whose relations already paid ransom, he had not killed more than four people, adding that the last person he killed before their camp was destroyed was at the instance of their leader who ordered him to kill the man because he was a saboteur.

He said that their leader, Ezemuo, (King of spirits) now at large, was doing most of the killings, along with the late Double Lion who was killed at Ihiala.

“Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.

“With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people.” They have failed, and would continue to fail.”

Five months gone in his administration, Soludo is winning the battle, such that the so-called unknown gunmen have become known.

Those of them who have succumbed to the superior power of the state security apparatus have been ranting and confessing their escapades in the state.

Take the case of Chukwudi, alias 50, for example. The hoodlum, who said he has been part of the unknown gunmen in Anambra State for the past one year, confessed that he had so far killed four persons, including two policemen and two civilians.

‘50’ was caught inside a forest at Ukpor, his home town, in Nnewi South local government area of the state along with other members of his gang by security operatives.

The security operatives had last week stormed the camp and arrested some of the unknown gunmen and destroyed the camp. Items recovered during the raid include arms and ammunition, police and military uniforms, a coffin containing charms and various kinds of drugs.

He said that although many people had been killed inside the camp, including those whose relations already paid ransom, he had not killed more than four people, adding that the last person he killed before their camp was destroyed was at the instance of their leader who ordered him to kill the man because he was a saboteur.

He said that their leader, Ezemuo, (King of spirits) now at large, was doing most of the killings, along with the late Double Lion who was killed at Ihiala.

Chukwudi said: “We killed some people because they were accused of monitoring us and acting as informants to the police and government. The two policemen I killed were at Ozubulu and I did it because the commander ordered me to do so.

“Our commander, Ezemuo, is from Imo State and he has run away, while Virus, who is the second in command, has also escaped to Lagos and his house at Ozubulu burnt down”.
“The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their deities, with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.

“Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.

“With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people.” They have failed, and would continue to fail.”

Five months gone in his administration, Soludo is winning the battle, such that the so-called unknown gunmen have become known.

Those of them who have succumbed to the superior power of the state security apparatus have been ranting and confessing their escapades in the state.

Take the case of Chukwudi, alias 50, for example. The hoodlum, who said he has been part of the unknown gunmen in Anambra State for the past one year, confessed that he had so far killed four persons, including two policemen and two civilians.

‘50’ was caught inside a forest at Ukpor, his home town, in Nnewi South local government area of the state along with other members of his gang by security operatives.

The security operatives had last week stormed the camp and arrested some of the unknown gunmen and destroyed the camp. Items recovered during the raid include arms and ammunition, police and military uniforms, a coffin containing charms and various kinds of drugs.

He said that although many people had been killed inside the camp, including those whose relations already paid ransom, he had not killed more than four people, adding that the last person he killed before their camp was destroyed was at the instance of their leader who ordered him to kill the man because he was a saboteur.

He said that their leader, Ezemuo, (King of spirits) now at large, was doing most of the killings, along with the late Double Lion who was killed at Ihiala.

Chukwudi said: “We killed some people because they were accused of monitoring us and acting as informants to the police and government. The two policemen I killed were at Ozubulu and I did it because the commander ordered me to do so.

“Our commander, Ezemuo, is from Imo State and he has run away, while Virus, who is the second in command, has also escaped to Lagos and his house at Ozubulu burnt down”. is the second in command, has also escaped to Lagos and his house at Ozubulu burnt down”.

Most communities in Nnewi South local government area, including Utuh, Ezinifite, Ukpor and Unubi have been abandoned by their prominent sons and daughters because they have been under attack in recent times. Same goes for towns in Ihiala local government area namely Lilu, Azia, Okija, Orsumoghu, Ubuluisizo, Isekke, Amorka and Uli However, the good thing is that security operatives have been invading the forests and have been destroying the camps of the gunmen.

The President General of Ogidi community, Idemili North local government area, Chief Chuka Onubogu traced the issue of gunmen to the increasing menace of cultism among the youths, saying it is disturbing that about 70 percent of the youths aged between 18 and 35 years were neck deep into cultism which is a precursor to their participation in the activities of gunmen.

He said: “Insecurity is taking its toll in Southeast and that is because we have failed in the upbringing of our children. Many parents concentrate more in acquiring wealth than on bringing up their children. If you train your children very well they will refrain from crime. All hands should be on desk towards curtailing the situation.

“What we are doing is managing it because drug is involved. What of the rich men that engage them? So it is a complex situation. That is why we talk of unknown gunmen in Igbo land. I think there is no more value for life. We get scared when we see unknown gunmen.

“These unknown gunmen have given themselves license to kill, not knowing that he who lives by the gun shall die by the gun. I usually hide my PG identity when I see those unknown gunmen because they don’t value life”.

While calling on the various communities in the state to intensify support for government in its fight against criminality to flush out the bad eggs among them, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said: “These people are not unknown gunmen. They live among our people, some of them have families and operate from various communities. We need people to help us identify them so that they can face justice.

“The gunmen came with their strange religion, but there is no relationship between light and darkness.

“Their gods drink blood, but ours doesn’t and that is why we need to fight them together. There is the need for the various communities to adopt ‘operation know your tenants,’ which he promised, would commence with his town, Isuofia in Aguata as a way of identi