₦airaland Forum

Gulak's Death: APC Rejects Uzodinma's Position, Tells Governor To Produce Killers
Chairman of the Adamawa State Chapter of the party, Ibrahim Bilal, gave the reaction to journlists on Wednesday, in Yola the state capital.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has berated Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma over his comments that Ahmed Ali Gulak's murder was politically motivated.

Chairman of the Adamawa State Chapter of the party, Ibrahim Bilal, gave the reaction to journlists on Wednesday, in Yola the state capital.


Hope Uzodinma
Bilal also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use the full might of the federal government to secure justice for Gulak, a former political adviser to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and chieftain of the APC, killed in Imo State.

Bilal tasked the Buhari-led government to go after the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) agitators and crush the group, using the full might of the governement.

The APC chairman also expressed regret that while Igbo were freely going about their businesses peacefully in Adamawa, Northerners in the Southeast could not enjoy the same right.

He said, "We need justice over the killing of Barrister Ahmed Aliyu Gulak. Also, we want the Federal Government and the Imo State Government to investigate Gulak's death and bring the perpetrators of this gruesome killing to justice.

"But most importantly, we want leaders of the Southeast to call their people to order, because we believe not all of them support the activities of IPOB, which we believe is behind the killing of our innocent son in their region.

"We believe Gulak's murder was premeditated and executed, by those who had repeatedly targeted Northerners in their region.

"We disagree with Governor Hope Uzodinma for inputting political motives for Gulak's death, judging from the crime scene video.

"Since he has imputed political motives to it (Gulak's death), he should produce the perpetrators as the chief security officer of the state," Bilal said.


http://saharareporters.com/2021/06/03/gulaks-death-apc-rejects-uzodinmas-position-tells-governor-produce-killers

Why Compliance With Sit-at-home Order In Igboland Should Worry Buhari Government — Ohanaeze
It was gathered that the Remembrance Day was observed in the five Southeastern states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo on Monday.


The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has said easterners' compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sends a clear message to Nigeria.

It was gathered that the Remembrance Day was observed in the five Southeastern states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo on Monday.


Streets in Southeast Nigeria, according to reports, were deserted as the region commemorated the death of over one million people who died in the Biafra war half a century ago.

Marketplaces and roads were empty in the major cities of Aba, Owerri and Awka, in a renewed push by the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra to remember the war victims and heroes with a strict order for people to remain indoors on the said date.

In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said the level of success recorded in the May 31 sit-at-home order shows Igbo unity and respect for the fallen heroes.

He stated that the development ought to be a source of worry to constituted authorities at all levels as Igbos have sent a clear message.

Isiguzoro further called on Southeast Governors to seek to the release of all Biafra agitators arrested and imprisoned over agitations.  

The statement read, ”Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide applauds Ndigbo for the new exhibition of 'Igbo unity, obedience to an emerging new leadership in southeastern Nigeria and respect for the fallen heroes, this development should be a source of worry to constituted authorities at all levels, and finally, Igbos had sent a clear message to Nigeria.

”Southeast Governors should cooperate with the people with the release of all Biafra agitators incarcerated in all the prisons and June 12 Democracy Day is the open window for State Pardons and amnesty. 

”We call on Governor Willie Obiano to do the same, as history will be fair to him as a gentleman, for his instantaneous action through the immediate release of agitators in Anambra prisons, it will help to calm down the uprising against southeastern Nigeria.

”It's the finest period for Federal Government to halt the drift towards anarchy and dialogue with agitators across the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria. The level of insecurity across the country, especially in Southeastern Nigeria should spur Federal Government to convoke a national dialogue without further delay.

”The full compliance of the sit-at-the home is a clue as to what Ndigbo will further do if certain anomalies are not corrected by the government at all levels, 'the most important thing is that Igbos are unique to know their leaders and hypocrites."
 
http://saharareporters.com/2021/06/02/why-compliance-sit-home-order-igboland-should-worry-buhari-government-%E2%80%94-ohanaeze

10 Dead As Boko Haram Attacks Troops In Borno
This was hours into the resumption of the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya, at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Boko Haram fighters on Friday attacked the Operation Hadan Kai troops’ location in Rann in the Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State, with 10 of them shot dead during a fierce gun battle.

This was hours into the resumption of the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya, at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Yahaya, the 22nd army chief, until his appointment, was the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadan Kai – the military operation which fights the decade-long insurgency in the North-East.

SaharaReporters learnt that the terrorists invaded the town and subsequently military camp in several gun trucks as the casualties recorded had yet to be verified.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima, confirmed the attack, saying ten terrorists were killed.

He was, however, silent on the casualties recorded by the troops.

He said, “Barely hours into the tenure of the Chief of Army Staff Gen Faruk Yahaya, Boko Haram Terrorists attempted an audacious attack on troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Rann the Headquarters of Kala Balge LGA of Borno State.

“The terrorists came in their numbers mounted on gun trucks and attempted to infiltrate the main entrance to the town. The highly spirited troops were right on hand to counter the move and inflicted a humiliating defeat on the terrorists who abandoned their evil mission and took to their heels.

“The troops chased the retreating terrorist and ensured there was no further threat to the town and its residents. Troops successfully destroyed one of the gun trucks and recovered multiple weapons including one anti-aircraft gun, two machine guns and eight AK-47 rifles neutralising ten terrorists in the process.”


http://saharareporters.com/2021/05/29/10-dead-boko-haram-attacks-troops-borno

Open grazing ban: Akeredolu disrespects Buhari, supports Sunday Igboho – BMOPublished on May 26, 2021By Wale Odunsi



The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has lambasted the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu for “disrespecting” President Muhammadu Buhari.

The organization’s comment followed a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, on recurring herdsmen-farmers’ crisis in the country.

Shehu had announced that Buhari approved measures to bring an end to the skirmishes long before the ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors Forum.

The aide noted that the governors’ resolutions failed to proffer solutions to the crises, “that have been continuing in our country for generations”.

“Their announcement is of questionable legality, given the constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms regardless of the state of their birth or residence”, he wrote.

In a rejoinder through his Special Duties and Strategy assistant, Doyin Odebowale, Akeredolu told Shehu to disclose the real motive(s) of those he serves.

“He can’t continue to hide under some opaque, omnibus, and dubious directives to create confusion in the polity”, it read

But in a statement signed by BMO Chairman, Niyi Akinsiji and Secretary Cassidy Madueke said the governor’s position was an intemperate, reckless and spiteful outburst against the President.


The group said it was unfortunate that Akeredolu could sign off on a vitriolic press statement by Odebowale that not only calls to question Buhari’s decision but also a disguised attack on Shehu.

We find it strange that a governor elected on the same platform as the President and whose rise to the position he presently occupies owes to President Buhari’s goodwill at a time the governor was not in the good books of the party’s influential leaders could hide behind an uncouth aide to throw subtle shade at his benefactor.”

BMO said Akeredolu, through his aide, gave the impression that Shehu was not speaking the President’s mind on the matter even though there was a reference to a commissioned report that was the outcome of consultation with farmers and herders.


The governor’s aide went ballistic, apparently without adequately comprehending the message, and proceeded on a rant that was not different from the inflammatory rhetoric Sunday Igboho and his co-travellers have been pushing out.”


BMO recalled Akeredolu attacked the presidency after its reaction to Ondo’s eviction notice to herdsmen in Ondo.

The group said the messages from the state government indicate that Sunday Igboho “may have been right when he claimed that he enjoyed the support of Governor Akeredolu for his secessionist agitation.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that Akeredolu has a partner in the political thug that is at the forefront of demands for a Yoruba nation despite his half-hearted attempt to dissociate himself from Igboho.

Otherwise, why would his aide pretend not to know the difference between peaceful and law-abiding herdsmen who the ranches would be available to and those he called ‘denizens of the forests’?

Otherwise, why would his aide pretend not to know the difference between peaceful and law-abiding herdsmen who the ranches would be available to and those he called ‘denizens of the forests’?

“We are constrained to say that the statement by the governor’s aide reeks of malice, and the references therein are outright falsehood by someone out to misrepresent an innocuous statement from the presidency.

BMO advised Akeredolu to call his “attack dog to order for making unverified allegations and resorting to ethnic profiling to drive home his warped position.

https://dailypost.ng/2021/05/26/open-grazing-ban-akeredolu-disrespects-buhari-supports-sunday-igboho-bmo/?amp

Former US Ambassador, Campbell Condemns IGP's Order Against IPOB


A former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell has condemned anti human rights rhetorics of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, who ordered Police personnel in the South East to ignore rules of engagement in dealing with IPOB.

While calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the IGP to order in the interest of national unity, the former envoy insisted that ‘Operation Restore Peace’ and Baba’s rhetoric seemed “tailor-made to feed the revived Biafra secessionist movement and general southern and Christian fears of a Fulani-Muslim onslaught against Christians.”

Campbell made his position known in a press release on Saturday, sent to IgbereTV.

 
The communique reads in full…

The Nigerian government has launched Operation Restore Peace, designed to destroy the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group in support of independence for the former breakaway Republic of Biafra, and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). According to Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, the security services are not to be constrained by human rights considerations. In comments reported in the Nigerian media, he said: “Don’t mind the media shout; do the job I command you. If anyone accuses you of human rights violation, the report will come to my table and you know what I will do. So, take the battle to them wherever they are and kill them all. Don’t wait for an order.”

“What another order are you waiting for when Mr. President had ordered you to shoot anybody carrying AK-47 rifle? Quote me, even a dead policeman can be tried and dismissed from the force and his family will not get his benefits.”

“So, don’t sit and wait for them to come; take attack to them and don’t lose your arms to criminals.”

 
So, the IGP is not only giving the green light to human rights violations, but also promising his protection for those who commit them. In addition, he is threatening those who might hang back with the loss of pension benefits! Usman is implying that he has the full support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Other reporting alleges that security services are conducting house-to-house searches in Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers states, all with large Igbo populations. Local people are saying that the security services are rounding up young men and their family members and taking them away for questioning. IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has dubbed the police initiative “Operation Massacre Biafrans.”

Usman Baba is a northern Muslim from Yobe State—long a Boko Haram stronghold. He is a career police officer. There is nothing in his background that would suggest an understanding of southern and eastern grievances and fears of the “establishment of a Fulani Caliphate.”

Operation Restore Peace and Baba’s rhetoric would seem tailor-made to feed the revived Biafra secessionist movement and general southern and Christian fears of a Fulani-Muslim onslaught against Christians. It should be anticipated that local people will fight back viciously and the security services—as directed by Usman Baba—will respond in kind. It is to be hoped that President Buhari will repudiate Baba’s rhetoric and methods, not least for the sake of the unity of Nigeria.



https://igberetvnews.com/1390890/former-us-ambassador-campbell-condemns-igps-order-ipob/

Hisbah arrests 57 prostitutes, intercept 400 bottles of alcohol in JigawaPublished on May 23, 2021By Khaleel Muhammad


The Jigawa State Hisbah Command says it has arrested 57 prostitutes at Ringim and Kazaure local governments areas of the state.

Spokesman of the command, Malam Muhammad Saleh Korau, disclosed this in a press statement issued to DAILY POST in Dutse, the state capital.

He said the arrest was made in two different raids carried out by the personnel of the board at Gada village in Kazaure and Wadugur, Chaichai villages in Ringim local Governments area.


Korau explained that 13 prostitutes were arrested in Ringim local Government while 44 people and 400 bottles of alcohol were arrested in Kazaure.

He said the command has handed over the suspects and the alcoholic drink to police in the two local governments for investigation.

DAILY POST reported that Jigawa State Hisbah Command had last week confiscated 761 bottles of alcohol and arrested six dealers in the state.

State Hisbah commander, Ustas Ibrahim Dahiru Garki, said all the confiscated alcohol will be destroyed after investigation.

He commended the people of the state for the support and cooperation given to them.

https://dailypost.ng/2021/05/23/hisbah-arrests-57-prostitutes-intercept-400-bottles-of-alcohol-in-jigawa/?amp&__twitter_impression=true

We Would Rather Trek To Togo, Others Than Submit Our Phones' IMEI Numbers To Pantami' —Nigerians Vow

A lot of people insisted the Nigerian government has an evil agenda for attempting to strip them off their privacy.

Nigerians have vowed not to release their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their mobile phones to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), if Isa Pantami remains the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

The defiance expressed by many Nigerians followed reports on Friday morning that the NCC said Nigerians would have to submit the IMEI of their phones to the commission from July.


The regulatory body stated this in the commission’s Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration.

This is part of NCC’s move to start the implementation of the Device Management System (a Centralised Equipment Identity Register) backed by President Muhammadu Buhari, according to Punch.

A part of the policy said, “Accordingly, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has directed that the Device Management System should be implemented within three months.”

The NCC said, “With the aim to curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance National Security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, reduce the rate of kidnapping, mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices, one of the means to achieve this is through the deployment of Device Management System.
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Nigerians To Submit Phones' Tracking ID Numbers To NCC From July
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“The implementation of a Centralised Equipment Identity Register otherwise known as Device Management System will serve as a repository for keeping records of all registered mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity and owners of such devices.

“IMEIs that have been reported as either stolen or illegal will be shared through the DMS to all the operators and service providers.”

However, the policy has been greeted with public criticism with many Nigerians saying the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration with the aid of Pantami, who had openly expressed sympathy for terrorist groups, is up to something fishy against the masses, especially in the South.

While some said they would rather relocate to neighbouring countries than submit their IMEI, a lot of people insisted the Nigerian government has an evil agenda for attempting to strip them off their privacy.

For instance, Elder Seun (@iamseunalaofin) tweeted, “We did NIN (National Identification Number), we did BVN (Bank Verification Number), now they want us to drop our phone’s IMEI number. Very soon they would tell us to put Buhari's portrait in our homes for one reason we don’t know yet. At this stage anyone that believes in this government needs Bigi Apple to get their senses back!”

Also, NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) tweeted, “NCC said Nigerians must submit their phone IMEI from July, and it’s mandatory. Obadiah Mailafia already told us 'they will move to Phase 2 by 2022.' With your phone IMEI, they will track your whereabouts. And Isa Pantami has access to your NIN-SIM Registration information.”

“I haven't linked my NIN and I'm definitely not going to submit my IMEI to NCC and Isa Pantami. Patapata, I will relocate to Togo,” Elvis Tunde (@Tundekvng) stated.

“It seems Nigerian Government’s aim is to strip its citizens of their entire privacy,” Duke of Ibadan (@_AsiwajuLerry) said. “From linking NIN with SIM cards and now we have to submit our phone’s IMEI? I’ve made one mistake linking my NIN, I won’t repeat such thing again.”

According to $Hydra (@TheBriDen), “I will trek through the evil wilderness of Niger Republic, the dry scorching and dangerous deserts of Libya and serve as a slave for 2 years in Libya before crossing over to Europe to do prostitution than to give Isa Pantami my IMEI number.”

“Submit IMEI number? These people want to start tracking us o. You will dey your house like this and they will burst your door. I don't think I can do such,” Mayowa Olagunju (@iam_doctormayor) reacted.

“Isa Pantami and the entire APC cult wanted to have access to your IMEI. Face with tears of joy. May you not make that irreversible mistake with Buhari government,” Ayemojubar (@ayemjubar) said.

Oladimeji (@Dimejisayso) tweeted, “Look at how hastily the renowned bigot (Buhari) approves all these inane policies but takes forever to address simple issues. Something fishy is going down.”

M. O. Olanrewaju (@OlawaleMLanre) asserted, “The idea is from Pantami, I am sure. I did my feasibility study on who have registered (linked) their NIN/SIM in the North; 45% have not done it. The policy is against the South. They suddenly realised the importance of IMEI something that beat their imagination at first.” 

http://saharareporters.com/2021/05/21/we-would-rather-trek-togo-others-submit-our-phones-imei-numbers-pantami-%E2%80%94nigerians-vow

JUST IN!!! Biafra: Igbos In The American Military Services Write To The Department Of State

Members of the United States Military of Igbo descent who served or currently serving in the United States Armed Forces under the aegis of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) have written to the US department of State over President Buhari’s persecution of Igbos in Nigeria.

In a letter jointly signed by Chief Sylvester Onyia, President and Dr. Godson Obiagwu, Secretary, and obtained by IgbereTV, AVID condemned what it called “oppressive condition” of Igbo people entrapped in Nigeria and sought for Department of State’s urgent action.


AVID further urged the United States Government to urgently restore the indigenous people of Biafra as a country carved out of Nigeria adding that “only an Independent Biafran Republic will ensure the Safety and Security of Igbo people especially now that Nigeria slid into security dark precipice.”

 
The letter reads in full…

We are citizens of United States who honorably served in various branches of our superior military at different times and on different conflict theaters.

We are members of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), incorporated in the state of New Mexico and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, EIN#: 85-4277623.

Some of our members were born as Igbo tribal ancestry of the southeastern part of Nigeria and became United States citizens by naturalization before or during their military service.

 
The rest of our members are natural born United States citizens to Igbo tribe Nigerian parents. All our members are therefore honorable men and women who meritoriously served or currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Our Christian parents, siblings, relatives, classmates, friends, and well-wishers still live in Igbo part of the Southeastern Nigeria.

We are bringing to your notice that we are stressed and stretched beyond elasticity by the oppressive condition of our people entrapped in Nigeria and we seek your urgent action. We are not oblivious to the laissez-faire nature of Nigerian President Mr. Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership. His slothfulness has exacerbated in chaotic gap in national security and freedom of the people. Our attention is drawn to the following life altering events currently going on in Nigeria:

General Insecurity, heinous violence, corruption, and graft, abductions and harassment of hundreds of school children, Incessant kidnappings of law abiding citizens, Breakdown of law and order, Open grazers with AK-47 weapon by Muslim Northern Nigerian brothers of the President killing people at will, Fulani hegemony, murderous slaughter of Non-Fulani ethnic groups, Chronic youth unemployment, Mayhem in the Middle Belt of Nigeria without prosecution or accountability, Free installation and tacit enforcement of Muslim Caliphate in Eastern Nigeria, Atrocities and genocide meted out to Nigerian citizens without consequence, Government appointment of Fulani tribe indigenes to key positions such as: NNPC, RIRS, NCS, NPA, Defense, Finance, Education, Justice, FTC, Agriculture, Police Affairs, Aviation, Communication, Power, Water Resources, FERMA, NYSC, PTDF, NTA, FAAN, EFCC, ICPC, NFIU etc…,

Dastardly act of support for Bokoharam and Myeti Allah Muslim terrorists, Politics of the second Niger bridge, Nigeria where people killed by violence are not counted, Corrupt politicians, impostors, thieves with their government accomplices, Execution of Eastern farmers on their indigenous farm lands with no prosecution, Gruesome rape of young Igbo girls and married women, unprovoked killings, massacre, maiming by Fulani young men and nobody held to account, Army and Police killing of unarmed defenseless youths at Lekey Toll gate, Execution of Christians on church grounds during church worship, Police frequent brutality, Unconstitutional arrests, detention, and killings of political opponents, Abduction and execution of foreigners, Security condition and Human Rights violation, Excessive China monetary loans for development of another country, Government protection of criminals, bandits, terrorists, Epileptic electricity and dilapidated infrastructure, Lack of navigable roads in the Eastern parts of Nigeria, Woeful condition of Universities and academic standards, Government appointments from only Fulani tribe, Eastern Nigerian men pillaged,
slaughtered en mass within their indigenous ancestral land with no consequences, Violent military inversion of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s ancestral home and consequent fatal slaughter of Igbo youths, Forceful conquest of Orlu in Igbo land and its attendant wastage of lives and properties, Culpable, reckless, and gross neglect by federal government, Attacks and massacre of Eastern people of Ebonyi state, Enugu state, Abia state, Anambra state and Imo state, Disproportionate installation of military check points in Igboland, unprovoked harassment of innocent people and monetary extortion, ​Stifled constitutional freedom and protection of citizen’s lives and properties;
freedom to assembly, association, speech, and extra-judicial killings.

 
The American Veterans of Igbo Descent unequivocally and officially report these vices to you and seek your consent to review these problems. Our assessment is that Nigeria is irretrievably divided and cannot be ameliorated.

The Igbo people seek referendum to become a new nation called Biafra. The Western Yoruba people wants to become a nation called Oduduwa. The Middle Belt people want to separate from Nigeria and become a new nation.

We urge our nation (United Stated of America) to urgently restore the indigenous people of Biafra as a country carved out of Nigeria. Only this will ensure the Safety and Security of our people especially now that Nigeria slid into security dark precipice.

The people of Southeastern Nigeria have right to self defense. Their youths are infuriated, have no future, and have no guarantee to life, safety, security, and protection. Because of these anomalies, AVID advocates, stands with, and express our unalloyed support for, and take a strong stake in the redemption of our Igbo people.

 
We therefore declare as we vacate our silence that Southeastern Igbo people have their constitutional rights taken away by Nigerian Fulani led government. AVID stand to assuage the anguish Eastern people of Nigeria have endured by leveraging your support to assure our oppressed people that their suffering will soon end. Our solemn pride and request hinges on the strata of freedom you can provide to our oppressed Igbo people of Nigeria.


https://igberetvnews.com/1390316/just-biafra-igbos-american-military-services-write-department-state/#forward

We have a terror group in Lagos now – Nnamdi Kanu claimsPublished on May 17, 2021By Ifreke Inyang



The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has claimed that there is an organised terror group in Lagos State.

He stated this during a live broadcast on Sunday night.

Kanu also alleged that Miyetti Allah was functioning as a terror group in Ebonyi State, until the Eastern Security Network (ESN) chased them out of the state.

“Miyetti Allah was a full-fledged terror group in Ebonyi, but IPOB and ESN drove them out, that’s why the DSS (Department of State Services) is labelling ESN a terrorist group, because we forbade Fulani murderers on our ancestral lands.

And before I came on air this evening, I had confirmation that they are now in Lagos. That was what they were cleverly trying to disguise as IPOB attacks on Lagos.

“I want to let you understand that if I tell you that we have a terror group in Lagos, you will marvel,” Kanu said.


https://dailypost.ng/2021/05/17/we-have-a-terror-group-in-lagos-now-nnamdi-kanu-claims/?amp&utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&__twitter_impression=true

Stop Calling ESN A Terrorist Group! By Adebayo Raphael


The Nigeria that Buhari desperately desires is one in which all Nigerians practice fatalism. The day we all become fatalists in the face of the mighty oppression and injustice happening under Buhari’s regime is the day we stop being free. The news mediums reporting ESN as a terrorist group are doing a great disservice to the Nigerian people: they are imposing on Nigerians a state of subservience to a terrorist state; they are reporting injustice with the language of an oppressive state; telling Nigerians to be weak, that defying oppression and injustice by the state means terrorism; they are telling Nigerians to not be free, that freedom means being targeted and killed by the Nigerian state. But I reject that. We cannot be free and not be free.

On 30 May 2016, about one thousand women, men and children peacefully marching to commemorate the killing of roughly 2million Biafrans between 1967-1970 by Nigerian security forces (the army and police) were on the receiving end of a terrible, inhumane terrorist blitzkrieg by Nigerian Security Forces; under the malefic orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Armed Forces General Buhari, Nigeria’s current president. 

On that day and the day before it, a report by Amnesty International confirms that no less than sixty of those peaceful Biafran commemorators were shot and killed, and at least seventy of them injured as a result of the attacks on those two days alone. Among those who died, the report narrates, was a man who had phoned his wife minutes before the bullet lodged in his abdomen was followed by merciless gunshots from Nigerian soldiers to ensure his coup de grâce. His wife was still on the phone when the Nigerian army brutally ended his life. Six others in that army truck were simply extrajudicially killed. The 2016 report by Amnesty International estimates that at least one hundred and fifty pro-Biafra activists were slaughtered by Nigerian security forces between August 2015 and August 2016. 

To understand the weight of that massacre, we can take a quick look at England and Wales – where the number of fatal shootings during contact with the police between 2007 and 2018 was twenty-four in all. That’s six times the number of Biafran activists killed by Nigerian security forces in two days, simply for commemorating those that the Nigerian state has refused to remember.


In September 2017, a senseless joint raid by the Nigerian army and police descended upon the palace of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu, Eze Israel Kanu – also Nnamdi Kanu’s father, killed five people and injured about thirty in the process. Those who have not forgotten the video clips that emerged online from that incident would recall how dishevelled the military and police left the place, allegedly in search of Kanu, who would later lose his mother to the shock she suffered from that invasion. At the time, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was simply a non-violent secessionist group with a leader perceived by many as a demagogue.

Again to understand the weight of that incident, let’s return to the UK where Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, has told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that another referendum on Scotland’s secession from the UK is a matter of “when – not if”. Nobody – neither Britain’s Prime Minister nor Queen Elizabeth II – has ordered the invasion of her home or the traumatization of her parents. That is a society where mad people are not in leadership positions as we have them in Nigeria.

When Buhari exhausted his list of fabrications for the deliberate killings and human rights violations of IPOB members, he then went berserk and proscribed the group, designating it a terrorist organization whilst at the same time, more or less patting the actual terrorists – Fulani herders, on the back as “bandits” who deserved reintegration into the society. When Pythons were dancing in the South East, no reptile was dancing in the North West and North Central -- yet herders were raping and killing innocent civilians mindlessly. This background, though non-exhaustive, is necessary for us to understand how the Eastern Security Network (ESN) came to be.

According to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the IPOB, what led to the creation of the ESN were the endless incursions of Fulani herders, the indiscriminate raping of women and destruction of farmlands in the name of grazing in the South East and South-South; yet one cannot but recognize that there had always been enough reasons to create an ESN as a self-defence mechanism for IPOB members.

The sovereignty of a state does not and cannot legitimize its wanton use of violence against its own people. Peace is not a zero-sum pledge; it’s a commitment that involves more than one party. Buhari is not interested in peace and conflict resolution, except when it is about his Fulani tribe. If he were, he would have followed that path instead of unprovoked violence against IPOB.

The emergence of the ESN became necessary the day Buhari declared war on IPOB and none on Fulani herders. ESN is not the terrorist here – it kills no innocent civilians; the only terrorist in this snafu is the Nigerian state led by Buhari. Every action that Buhari takes as Nigerian president imposes a moral responsibility on us as citizens of Nigeria. Buhari has no justification for his aerial and ground raids on innocent civilians living in the South East under the guise of ending the ESN. Our duty as citizens is to let the state know whenever it goes wrong or diverges from the social contract that legitimized its emergence.

No Nigerian signed a contract of human rights violations and enforced disappearances; unprovoked killings of hundreds of Shia Muslims and burial in mass graves; unlawful detention and unscrupulous raids on homes of judges, activists and government critics; the wanton killings of EndSARS protesters; or other such nefarious things Buhari has done as president of Nigeria -- so it makes no sense, that a group impelled to emerge for the survival of its democratically-guaranteed interest is called a terrorist, but the real terrorist gets to hide behind the veil of sovereignty.

The Nigeria that Buhari desperately desires is one in which all Nigerians practice fatalism. The day we all become fatalists in the face of the mighty oppression and injustice happening under Buhari’s regime is the day we stop being free. The news mediums reporting ESN as a terrorist group are doing a great disservice to the Nigerian people: they are imposing on Nigerians a state of subservience to a terrorist state; they are reporting injustice with the language of an oppressive state; telling Nigerians to be weak, that defying oppression and injustice by the state means terrorism; they are telling Nigerians to not be free, that freedom means being targeted and killed by the Nigerian state. But I reject that. We cannot be free and not be free.

Adebayo Raphael is a Writer and Human Rights Activist. He can be reached via Asorosobioro@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/2021/05/16/stop-calling-esn-terrorist-group-adebayo-raphael

Boko Haram Terrorists Dare Nigerian Army, Openly Observe Eid-el-Fitr Prayer
The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, has released photographs of militants belonging to the sect observing Eid-el-Fitr prayers at different locations in Nigeria.

While the date of the event is unknown, Eid-el-Fitr was celebrated by most Muslim faithful across the globe on May 13.


According to the pictures sighted by SaharaReporters, the insurgents were seen in about four groups praying together in open fields.
Boko Haram terrorists have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

In the past months, the insurgents have targeted soldiers who lay ambush on their path.

Hundreds of soldiers and officers have been reportedly killed since January 2021.

At least 25 soldiers were recently killed when a suicide bomber identified as Abdullah al-Ansari rammed an explosives-laden pick-up truck into a military convoy during a clash in Goniri, a border community between Yobe and Borno states, killing many soldiers.

In February, about 20 soldiers were also killed in Malari, Borno State, by the insurgents.

SaharaReporters gathered that the soldiers were on patrol to clear some Boko Haram elements in the area following a credible intelligence when the group ambushed them.

http://saharareporters.com/2021/05/15/boko-haram-terrorists-dare-nigerian-army-openly-observe-eid-el-fitr-prayer

techtechh:
When did they withdraw police officers from ss governors?

All this Igbo attachee by force must stop

Shut up ! I am from SS !

https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailypost.ng/2021/05/11/insecurity-police-withdraw-escorts-from-south-east-rivers-governors-senators-vips/

Buhari’s Dementia Worsens, President Fumbles For Words, Goes Off-Key During Security Chiefs, EU Delegation Meetings
Top sources in the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Buhari was not only incoherent but spoke for only a short time.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s worsening dementia and other undisclosed health challenges are taking their toll on his ability to effectively coordinate meetings. 

 
For instance, the President faltered during a meeting with the security chiefs on Tuesday.


Top sources in the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Buhari was not only incoherent but spoke for only a short time. 

 
It was learnt that he spoke in the same manner when he recently had a meeting with the Head of the European Union delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States, Mr Ketil Karlsen, along with his team.

 
“The President’s health condition is worsening by the day and affecting his handling of national matters, especially on insecurity. At the EU delegation virtual meeting, he was responding off-key.

 
“At the meeting with the security chiefs, he was also off-key and spoke little. He was supposed to be at the graduation ceremony at the Nigeria Police College in Kano but the event had to be postponed because the President was not ready,” the source revealed.

 
SaharaReporters in December 2020 had reported how the inability of President Buhari to make critical decisions on insecurity and the depressed economy had become worrisome to many Nigerians – a situation which his dementia and other undisclosed illnesses he is treating could have contributed to. 

It had been reported that his medical conditions had forced him to jet out of the country at least six documented times for treatment, spending about 180 days since 2015 when he assumed office in his first term, SaharaReporters.

 
The fallout is that apart from being unable to attend to urgent national issues and take significant decisions for the country, the President is perceived also not to be in charge of his government.

 
This has been evident with several conflicting actions and rancour within his same government.

 
Also in same December, contrary to claims by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari’s demenia prevented him from visiting the scene of the abduction of over 300 school boys from Kankara town in Katsina State, his home state.

A source had stated that the President’s dementia affected him once again, and made him to visit his livestock farm on Saturday morning instead of visiting the school.

 
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language and thinking abilities – a condition which may be caused by the President’s old age or an undisclosed medical condition.

 
“The moment it happened on Friday night, President Buhari was told. But due to dementia, he had forgotten,” the source had said about why Buhari did not visit the school. 

 
When the video of the President visiting his farm surfaced the following Monday, the President’s spokesperson, Shehu, had argued vehemently that the President was not aware as of Saturday morning when he went to his farm.

http://saharareporters.com/2021/05/12/buhari%E2%80%99s-dementia-worsens-president-fumbles-words-goes-key-during-security-chiefs-eu

You withdraw police from SE/SS governors and then send 3200 police officers to protect northerners in thesame region!

He Has Not Perfected His Lying Skills"—Nigerians Mock Bashir Ahmad, Garba Shehu After Releasing Conflicting Statements Over Aso Rock Robbery
Personal Assistant on New Media to Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, had described the story as fake news while Garba Shehu described it as "a foolish attempt" at burglary.

Nigerians have taken to social media to express concerns following the news of an attempted burglary at the residence of Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Personal Assistant on New Media to Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, had described the story as fake news while Garba Shehu described it as "a foolish attempt" at burglary.


The conflicting statements have attracted backlash on social media. Although Shehu said the attempt was not successful, many expressed shock that such an attempt could be made close to the seat of power.

An online platform, Peoples Gazette, had earlier reported that both Gambari and an administrative officer at the Presidency, identified as Maikano, were robbed.

According to the report, which has been trending online, armed robbers invaded Aso Rock and emptied the residences of Gambari and Maikano.

Responding in a statement on Monday night, Malam Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said, "The Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has confirmed that there 'was a foolish attempt' to burgle his residence at 3:00am this morning but it turned out to be unsuccessful.

"Professor Gambari, whose house is on the street next to the Villa, has assured that there is nothing to worry about from the incident."

Gambari succeeded the late Abba Kyari, who died in a Lagos hospital while treating coronavirus in April 2020.

Here are reactions from Nigerians: https://twitter.com/search?q=garba%20shehu&src=typed_query

just setting up my twttr

— jack (@jack) March 21, 2006
just setting up my twttr

— jack (@jack) March 21, 2006
just setting up my twttr

— jack (@jack) March 21, 2006
just setting up my twttr

— jack (@jack) March 21, 2006

http://saharareporters.com/2021/05/11/he-has-not-perfected-his-lying-skills%E2%80%94nigerians-mock-bashir-ahmad-garba-shehu-after

helinues:
If the man arrested had been a Yoruba or Hausa Fulani man, would you have said believe this at your own peril?

yes yoruba can be arrest attained by their slave masters.

Fulani are untouchable , more matter the level of crime committed...

helinues:
But you want me to swallow news regarding UGM attacking?

Why are some of you people like this? This was earlier predicted...That by the time the security officers start to pounce on the miscreants called UGM, hope some people won't start to tag FIFA, UN, EU, ECOWAS...

Afonja, which security are you talking about, you mean those gallant coward, those ones that was dislodged yesterday in Bornu by Boko Haram.

helinues:
[s]Very good news..

I said it, the security officers must have extracted some vital info from Ikonso's phone..

So some Igbo dey support terrorist[/s]

Typical Yoruba Muslim, renown Unity beggar, always believe lies from failed Nigerian security operative.

If you believe this news at your own peril...

ALMUSTAQIM:
[s]SOLUTION 1: NIGERIA'S SOVEREIGNTY REMAINS SACROSANCT AND NON-NEGOTIABLE

SOLUTION 2: NIGERIA REMAIN STRONGER TOGETHER

SOLUTION 3: THE NIA AND THE DSS SHOULD COOPERATE TO FISH OUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA BANDITS AND DEAL WITH THEM RUTHLESSLY

SOLUTION 4: PLENTY SHEGE AWAITS ALL THOSE BEATING THE DRUMS OF WAR

GOD BLESS NIGERIA[/s]

Typical fulani muslim stunts !

Believe this news at your own peril !



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWnXnPxT_-o

johnmartus:
They supposed to smashed the man head follow join too.

Afonja, the skull mining terrorist! Na you head where go smashed join am..

Christistruth00:
Ordinary Asari Dokubo they cannot handle is it Government of Cameroon they want to fight

Afonja , what do you mean by Asari Dokubo. Was there any conflict between BNL and Asori Dokubo before.

You better shut up, if you don't know what to say !

W0mbRaider
Come and see us here. Biafra Nations league BNL south south..

DubaiLandLord1:
This is a wrong move by the military and where is your source? Or is there a video

helinues:


Do you have the full video of what transpired?

Typical Afonja , pictorial evidence is there and you're still asking for video evidence. Hypocrised !

theTranslator:
1. we are smarter than you guys
we will get the presidential seat and still get Oduduwa e pain you?
2. we are not brainwashed to demand for "Oduduwa or death" like IPOB lol
the fulani will gladly give you the death.
we go and make it happen not "demanding" like our yeastern nyamiri
3. [s]your writing is quite shabby
did you go to university[/s]?
4. i hope you don't cry after reading this
yammy leggy

Smart ke ! " Backstabbing and betraying is the preference words here ,not smartness". Cos Afonja and smartness shouldn't be used in thesame sentence.
Nigeria is on it's knees, perhaps at the verge of breakup, because you help brought that lifeless, Nepotistic, NEPA bill certificate man, dementia dullard in Asa Rock into power in the name of sophistication and intelligence.


Your writing is quite shabby
did you go to university?

Yes ! My vocabulary was according to your own level of understanding! Typical afonja with low IQ.

Clarkson11:
thunder fire u and your useless ESN. Make we see them...we go chop them plus all those ipob members ... See we are waiting for them on 30 may if them close market the market will remain closed forever

Afonja , claiming south south. Which state are you from South south...

Mayor21:
So today I was in my farm and decided to take some pictures.

Grasscutter, is removing my maize from the soil where it is planted. How do I stop

theTranslator:
obsession
that's what this is
look here if in 2023 he contests he will win
I might even vote for him sef

he's a lesser devil
IPOB can always cry

Abeg make I borrow this question from Afonja . Yoruba what do you really want , today Tinubu the Jagaban for president , tomorrow Oduduwa or death

helinues:
Continue promoting/campaigning for Tinubu as you people no get credible candidates to present

Tantrum is unacceptable!

Chibuike21:
Who is this one?

Aboki, He is lawyer, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) based in Lagos !