The Igbo apex socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described northern Nigeria as one of the safest places for Igbos to live in and do their trades.
The chairman of the group in the 19 northern states, Augustine Amaechi, yesterday in Abuja, stated that the region has accommodated Igbos beyond measures, saying that accounted for their prosperity.
Amaechi while acknowledging that there have been some skirmishes with their host communities noted that it is unavoidable as “it is expected in a developing economy.”
On the call for secession in the South East, he said the agitation was due to lack of jobs and employment in the region; stressing that since Igbos are traders, they need the North to maintain their financial strength.
“Our elders are saying that even if the youth are agitating and angry, we need a restructure of Nigeria and not a division of Nigeria because you can’t sell what you produce in your village to make big sales like in Alaba Market in Lagos.”
On his part, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor stated that Igbo nation is not at war with anybody.
“All we want is to be treated equally with other people. It is time for us to speak truth to power. We need peace and unity and they can’t be gotten through propaganda and transparency must be followed.”
Nemere2020: if you don’t understand the context, you will say he is harsh. I hope you understand me. So you need to understand the context in which the statement was made. I presented over 150 lectures mobilising youths to stay away from extremism. Some will just go and edit and just compile five minutes, six minutes out of 150 lectures, each one, the minimum is one hour, and maximum is one hour, thirty minutes. If you compile all, you will discover that it is over 200 hours lectures. Where is the remaining? If you want to do anything, write everything from A to Z and, secondly, understand the context. Religious context is not personal opinion; it is a religious context.And at the time I was presenting the lectures which some people are cutting which I couldn’t get time to listen to because of Ramadan period and I am busy with engagements. Based on what my attention was drawn to, they are lectures of 90s and early 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 or thereabout.
Same thing I told those worthless IPOB terrorists calling for his resignation!
JEWELofHELL: Lol... Resign because some IPOB terrorists asked him to? I observed how Lalasticlala was combing every area of the internet for damning information about the sheikh to publish as the first one failed woefully. They even exhumed some ancient video, edited it, cut a clip out of it then presented OUT OF CONTEXT.
Negative reports about Northerners are quick to hit FP while those about South Easterners/Westerners are either reluctantly featured on FP or outright ignored!
Thankfully, your opinions are too insignificant to change anything. Nobody will resign. So IPOB should stop wasting their time. They should focus on their erosion-ravaged region, IPOB/ESN terrorism and let Northerners be. We own Nigeria. We call the shots!
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has warned non-Igbo indigenes residing in the South-East to erase ‘no man’s land’ from their minds.
President General Of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, stated this during a press briefing at the headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide in Enugu on Thursday.
He also welcomed the formation of South-East security outfit, Ebubeagu, while assuring the governors of the zone of his support.
Obiozor said, “Once more, I state that there is no No Man’s land in Igbo land. Land is a very sensitive issue in Igbo land because land has owners including some Igbo Deities. Those encroaching on land in Alaigbo are provoking our people and our Deities.”
Obiozor’s comment was a veiled reference to the herdsmen crisis rocking the nation and the proposal to set up ranches in the region by herders.
Speaking further, the Ohanaeze president said the country was passing through one of the worse times in virtually all aspects of national life.
“The result of all these is the rise of ethnic militias, agitation for secession, self-determination, insurgency, banditry, etc. These are historical protracted and unwinnable wars by nations and empires and there will be no exception. And among every other issue in contest in Nigeria today, this situation has produced the state of insecurity throughout the country,” he said.
Obiozor, therefore, urged the Federal Government not to fight unwinnable war against nationalism but seek possible peaceful options that are the only solution that guarantees national unity and peaceful co-existence.
My question is, why despite all the negative propaganda about Islam, it's still growing faster than others? What's the secret? Even Reno Omokri is wondering!
Yesterday, I said unity is why Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. My critics said it is because of the punishment for apostasy. Islam is the fastest growing religion in England. Do they kill apostates in England? Unity breeds success faster than money!
#RenosNuggets
''One thing I admire in Catholics is that when a priest is caught in sin, they see him as a wounded soldier who needs rehabilitation and protect him. But Pentecostals will tear down their pastors caught in sin.
A pastor is like a striker. Strikers are marked by the enemy more than other players. The best football clubs have medics on standby to provide help, just in case a striker is injured.
A football club that refuses to tend to a wounded striker, and instead humiliates him before the opposing side, will always be relegated in the league table. And this is one reason why Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today, bar none. Because they operate on this principle''
My name is Samuel from Abia stateCc, Seun, Mynd44, lalasticlala you guys are the best. When I started nairaland land , I was a YouTube blogger, I would be posting false news on nairaland and I found out that they were always deleted
Posting fake news intentionally on Nairaland, yet they never banned you? Well, Northerners get banned for defending themselves and their region.
I am sure the fake news targetted Northerners. You would have been banned if you targeted Igbos.
Lol... Resign because some IPOB terrorists asked him to? I observed how Lalasticlala was combing every area of the internet for damning information about the sheikh to publish as the first one failed woefully. They even exhumed some ancient video, edited it, cut a clip out of it then presented OUT OF CONTEXT.
Negative reports about Northerners are quick to hit FP while those about South Easterners/Westerners are either reluctantly featured on FP or outright ignored!
Thankfully, your opinions are too insignificant to change anything. Nobody will resign. So IPOB should stop wasting their time. They should focus on their erosion-ravaged region, IPOB/ESN terrorism and let Northerners be. We own Nigeria We call the shot!
Lol... Resign because some IPOB terrorists asked him to? I observed how Lalasticlala was combing every area of the internet for damning information about the sheikh to publish as the first one failed woefully. They even exhumed some ancient video, edited it, cut a clip out of it then presented OUT OF CONTEXT.
Negative reports about Northerners are quick to hit FP while those about South Easterners/Westerners are either reluctantly featured on FP or outright ignored!
Thankfully, your opinions are too insignificant to change anything. Nobody will resign. So IPOB should stop wasting their time. They should focus on their erosion-ravaged region, IPOB/ESN terrorism and let Northerners be. We own Nigeria. We call the shots!
Bandits who abducted 39 students from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have made a U-turn on their earlier stand to only negotiate with the government.
Daily Trust gathered that the bandits are now reaching out to individual parents, demanding for ransom after Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State insisted that he would not negotiate with bandits and vowed to prosecute anyone who does.
Our correspondent reports that a few days after the abduction, the bandits had warned parents against reaching out to them, insisting that they would only negotiate with government representatives.
Ten of the 39 students were last week released in two batches following what sources say was intensive negotiations with the aid of intermediaries, in which all 39 students were expected to be freed.
The bandits however only released 10 students comprising of seven males and three females as against the initial agreement.
Daily Trust gathered from some of the parents that the bandits have in the last few days reached out to them individually to demand ransom and threatened to harm the students if they failed to pay up.
One of the parents who spoke with our correspondent said: “They asked my daughter to call me and she was crying and pleading with me to get the ransom and pay otherwise they will kill her.”
Another parent told our correspondent that the bandits threatened that she would never see her daughter again unless she and other parents mobilised N500 million for their release.
The Bauchi state government says it will conduct a headcount of sex workers in the state so as to have an accurate data on them.
According to NAN, Aminu Balarabe-Isah, permanent commissioner in charge of Hisbah and Sharia implementation, disclosed this in Bauchi on Monday during a sensitisation workshop organised for sex workers.
He said the information gathered from the count will help the commission in taking measures that will discourage sex workers from continuing their trade.
He said investigation carried out by his agency shows illiteracy, poverty, and maltreatment from step mothers made most sex workers take to the trade.
He added that minor family issues also contributed to their decision.
Balarabe-Isah assured the sex workers that the government will make effort to re-unite them with their parents.
He also said the state government had plans to organise empowerment programmes for the sex workers as well as provide them with capital to start small-scale businesses.
The commissioner said the state government was ready to organise mass marriages for those of them who wanted to get married.
Hafsatu Azare, who spoke on behalf of the sex workers, said they were willing to quit the trade if government would empower them economically, describing their condition as pathetic.
...Don’t reduce your stake in Nigeria, Uzodinma tells Igbo.
...Igbo are major stakeholders in Nigeria
...Ndigbo wants justice, equity and fairness, not Biafra.
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has advised the Igbo ethnic group “to jettison every action and activity that would reduce the high stake (their) region has in the country so as to produce the next president of Nigeria.”
Uzodinma said this in Owerri, the Imo State capital when he welcomed his counterparts from the other states of the South-East and stakeholders of the region to its first security summit last Sunday.
“Igbo are major stakeholders in Nigeria as they constitute the second largest population of every city in Nigeria,” he said.
“Our people have more stake in real estates in virtually all the major cities in the country, our people control the commanding height of commerce all over the country.”
The Governor explained that no ethnic group in Nigeria is more united than the Igbo.
“We, the Igbo are more united than any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria, through our shared struggle, our chequered history and our deep-rooted extended family traditions and brotherhood makes our values, beliefs, commitment to a united Nigeria, beyond reproach.”
He said this at a time when the peace in the region is threatened by some “dissident groups” who have taken up arms and created the impression that the Igbo want to leave Nigeria to create their own nation called Biafra.
“What Ndigbo wants is justice, equity and fairness. A Nigeria that provides a level playing ground for all citizens. That is what we want, not Biafra. And we believe we can get what we want through constructive and tenacious engagement with fellow Nationals and relevant institutions, not by violence or war. Igbo have seen war, not in storybooks or in movies but real war. No right-thinking Igbo, who experienced the excruciating and devastating effects of the civil war on Igboland and our people, will vote for another war. The young and inexperienced may zealously want to beat the drumbeat of war, but it is our duty, as their parents and elders to talk them out of it.
“Those creating the erroneous impression that Igbo want to leave Nigeria are either naive or mischievous. Igbos need Nigeria just like Nigeria and Nigerians need Igbo,” he said.
Management of Dangote Cement Plc has said yesterday that the price of its product per bag from the factory was between N2,450 in Obajana and Gboko, and N2,510 in Ibese, inclusive of VAT.
The clarification came against the backdrop recent insinuations that the company sells cement in Nigeria at significantly higher prices relative to other countries, particularly Ghana and Zambia.
Dangote’s Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, Devakumar Edwin, who gave the clarification at an interface with journalists in Lagos, revealed that while a bag of cement sells for an equivalent of $5.1, including VAT in Nigeria, it sells for $7.2 in Ghana and $5.95 in Zambia ex-factory, inclusive of all taxes.
He said that though the company has direct control over its ex-factory prices, it could control the ultimate price of cement in the market.
According to him, it is important to distinguish Dangote’s ex-factory prices from prices at which retailers sell cement in the market.
He frowned on intentional misinformation or demarketing allegedly sponsored by some individuals to the effect that Dangote sells its cement at higher prices in Nigeria relative to other African countries at the expense of Nigerians.
Devakumar described the allegation as false, misleading, and unfounded, and challenged the media to conduct independent investigation into the price of cement in some other African countries, including Cameroun, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zambia.
‘’To ensure that we meet local demand, we had to suspend exports from our recently commissioned export terminals, thereby foregoing dollar earnings.
‘’We also had to reactivate our 4.5m ton capacity Gboko Plant which was closed 4 years ago and run it at a higher cost all in a bid to guarantee that we meet demand and keep the price of Cement within control in the country.”
“Over the past 15 months, our production costs have gone up significantly. About 50% of our costs are linked to USD so the cost of critical components like: gas, gypsum, bags, and spare parts; has increased significantly due to devaluation of the Naira and VAT increase. ‘’Despite this, DCP has not increased ex-factory prices since December 2019 till date while prices of most other building materials have gone up significantly.
‘’We have only adjusted our transport rates to account for higher costs of diesel, spare parts, tyres, and truck replacement. Still, we charge our customers only N300 – 350 per bag for deliveries within a 1,200km radius.
‘’We have been responsible enough not to even attempt to cash in on the recent rise in demand to increase prices so far’’, Devakumar said.
….condoles President Buhari, Army Chief, promises to support military apprehend masterminds
By Peter Duru, Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has apologized to the bereaved families of the 12 soldiers who were ambushed and killed about a week ago by armed bandits at Bonta community in Konshisha Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.
The Governor also condoled President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Army Staff and the leadership of the armed forces in the country over the murder of the military personnel in the state.
Speaking Monday at the funeral of the personnel at the Wurukum Military Cemetery in Makurdi the Governor who condemned the murder and described it as unfortunate promised to collaborate with the military to apprehend the masterminds of the dastardly act.
“I condole Mr President who is the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces, the Chief of Army Staff and indeed the leadership of our security forces in the country.
“On behalf of government and people of Benue State, we condemn the killing of our innocent soldiers who were out there to keep peace in our state.
“It is unfortunate that this incident took place. I want the Nigerian army, the families of the deceased and indeed all Nigerians to know that the attack on security personnel is an attack on all.
“This attack was unwarranted, it was not needed because all these patriotic soldiers were there to keep peace and that was why they were ambushed. Otherwise, we all know what soldiers can do and the capacity they have to defend themselves.
“So we condemn this and we want to assure everyone that my government will join hands with the security forces to ensure that all those who perpetrated this sad act are brought to book.
“I equally want to apologize to the bereaved families, in the course of my trying to manage this challenge if I said anything that was offensive to the families of the deceased I want to say that I am sorry.
“As a leader, I needed to say something, the people needed to hear from, and as at that time that I made the comment that it was two soldiers that were missing it was based on the information that was made available to me.
“But all the same, please I am sorry. It is the responsibility of this government to also join hands with the leadership of the army to see how we can support the bereaved families. May God reset their peaceful souls,” Governor Ortom said.
Conducting the funeral service, Chaplain of 73 Battalion of the Nigeria Army, Major Ibrahim Mavisky, as well as the Imam, Captain A. Bashir both noted that the fallen heroes were peacemakers who went out not for evil but for peace and regrettably met their death in the process.
“The slain soldiers were out to serve the nation but lost their lives. We, therefore, pray for their souls and that God should grant them eternal rest,” they said.
Vanguard recalls that a week ago an Army Captain and 11 soldiers were ambushed and killed by criminal elements in Bonta community, while on routine patrol of the troubled communities in Oju and Konshisha LGAs who had been at daggers-drawn over disputed farmland.
The Ebonyi State Government has exonerated herdsmen from the attack which occurred at Umuogudu Akpu-Ngbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the deputy governor of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe, and was made available to journalists through his Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor.
But few natives claimed that the attackers were herdsmen while many pointed accusing fingers at a group from Benue.
Dr Igwe, who condemned the attack, however, called on those sponsoring the report to turn a new leave.
“We use this opportunity to call on those sponsoring such report to verify their information before going to the press.
“So far, preliminary investigations reveal that the attack was not carried out by Fulani herdsmen as being speculated in different quarters but is linked to the age-long crisis between the community and their Agila neighbours of Benue State.
“Also, the government of Ebonyi State is in touch with the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen (Miyetti Allah) who denied involvement in the attack.
“The leadership of the Fulani herdsmen has assured the government and people of Ebonyi State that they will not on any account perpetrate an attack on any part of Ebonyi State,”[/b] he explained.
The deputy governor further called on the people of Ngbo not to avenge but to remain law abiding.
“The General Public and in particular the people of Ngbo are requested to remain law-abiding and avoid reprisal as the government is working hard to restore normalcy to the affected community.”
“Please, be assured of the readiness of the Governor David Nweze Umahi- led administration to secure the lives and property of citizens at all times,” he stated.
Daily Trust learnt that the speculations linking the attack to herdsmen were raised by few natives.
The attack according to a source took place in Otuebu and Obodo Ocha villages, Umuogodo-Akpu Ngbo community, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
At the moment, normalcy has returned to the area owning to the prompt deployment of a joint armed security team comprising soldiers and policemen to the area.
But a native, who had served as a state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Eze Nwachukwu, told journalists on behalf of the community that only four people were killed.
The Nigerian Army says, its troops supported by Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) have thwarted Boko Haram terrorists’ incursion into Damasak, Headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno, killing scores.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in as statement on Monday, said the success was recorded on April 10.
Yerima said the troops engaged the terrorists with superior fire power both from the air and on the ground which compelled them to withdraw in disarray with several men and equipment casualty.
He disclosed that two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while one officer and two other soldiers were injured in the encounter, adding that the injured were currently recuperating at a military hospital in Maiduguri.
Yerima also disclosed that troops of Sector I, OPLD on picketing duty along Ngwom-Mafa-Maiduguri road had on Sunday, neutralised seven members of Boko Haram terrorist group and recovered four AK-47 rifles .
He said the terrorists were supposedly lying in wait to attack troops and innocent citizens plying the busy road.
According to him, troops who have continued to dominate the areas with massive clearance patrols and ambushes sprang the surprise attack on the terrorists that have been menacing the peace and livelihood of the people in the area.
“They however ran out of luck as they were instead trapped and neutralised in their own web.
After the duel and successful neutralization of the terrorists, the troops continued their clearance patrol up to Maiduguri.
“Meanwhile, troops of OPLD will continue to maintain aggressive posture to ensure the entire area is cleared of terrorists elements and their activities while maintaining high moral and fighting efficiency.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has congratulated the gallant troops and urged them to maintain their high and satisfactory morale and fighting efficiency,” he said.
A suspected ritualist on Saturday murdered a 55-year- old food hawker, Latifat Oyebode, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The Nation gathered the food seller lived around L.A Primary School Street, Alapata area of Modakeke.
It was learnt the yet-to-be-identified ritualist on Saturday morning lured the food seller to a house at Ogbingbin area, Remo of Ile-Ife on the pretense that he wanted to buy food.
A resident of the area, who pleaded not to be known, told The Nation: “The house where Iya Elekuru was killed was rented by an herbalist. The woman was lured inside the house and was killed.
“The herbalist cut her head and two hands. When the people around noticed that she was not coming out, they forced their way inside the house. The herbalist fled with the head and two hands of Iya Elekuru.
“We saw the remains of the food seller on the floor in the pool of blood. This angered the youths and they started to destroy the house. The security operatives have carried the corpse of the woman away.”
Spokesperson of Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident.
She explained: “The woman hawking food was lured inside a house and was killed. The killer cut her head and hand. The suspect fled with the mutilated parts.
“Our men evacuated the body of the woman. The son of the victim has claimed the corpse and buried her according to Islamic rites.
“Irate youths have razed the building where the woman was killed. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.”
I am not a Bororo neither am I a Fulani. I am a Yoruba man from Tanke family in Ilorin, Kwara State.
A cattle rearer from Ilorin, Kwara State, Mr Adebayo Owolabi, popularly known as Baba Sule, whose cows recently died en masse at his base in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, tells PETER DADA the circumstances surrounding the incident
You have Yoruba names, but some people say you are Fulani while others say you are Bororo. Can you clear the air?
I am not a Bororo neither am I a Fulani. I am a Yoruba man from Tanke family in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Your cows, about 30, were reportedly found dead recently in mysterious circumstances. How did it happen?
The incident happened between 5pm and 6pm on Monday ( March 29, 2021). I was not around that day. I came back and I went to the mosque to pray; it was my son who took the animals to graze that called my attention and said the cows ate poison. Later, another child of mine came and told me that over 20 cows were dead already. On getting to the scene, I met 52 cows lifeless. That night, policemen came; some people also came over to sympathise with me. As we left the scene, some unknown persons went to steal some of the dead cows. It got to a point that some people were fighting with the sanitation officers of the local government that came to inspect the scene and some people took a cow. I had pleaded with the government officials that I wanted to sell the dead cows, but they stopped me.
News reports put the number of the cows that died at 30 but you mentioned 52 now. What is the correct figure?
The cows were over 30; there were actually 52 cows that died.
You said your son told you the cows died of poisoning, but some people are saying the cows died because they grazed on certain sacred land. What did your own findings show?
We have done our own findings and we discovered that the cows did not die mysteriously; they died of poisoning; we discovered that they were poisoned by some unknown persons.
Who do you think could possibly be behind the poisoning?
We don’t suspect anybody, but we know that some people perpetrated the act and I am sure that our colleagues that sell cows cannot be responsible. If it had happened in the forest, I might suspect that some farmers were responsible, but the cows ate and drank water nearby – in fact, it was around Bunmi Harmony Nursery and Primary School (in Akungba), which indicates that my sons grazed the cows within our settlement.
Have you also considered the possibility that the cows might be suffering from a disease?
The cows were not suffering from any disease; I am very sure all of them were healthy.
Did anyone complain that your cows destroyed their farm?
Our cows have not destroyed the crops of any farmer because we don’t even have farms in the vicinity here where they graze.
What kind of relationship do you have with the people in your host community?
I have a peaceful relationship with the people of the community. I could recall that my brother was accosted a few years ago by someone who came with a poisonous chemical threatening to kill our cows, but we resolved the issue amicably and since then I have not had any encounter with anybody around. We have been living cordially.
For how long have you been living in Akungba?
I have been living here for over 20 years, doing my business and I have been obeying the laws of the land.
How old are you now?
I am 50 years old.
With your cows dead, what is the way forward?
I want the government and the people to help me out. The loss is huge for me; this is my only source of livelihood. I am pleading with the government and well-meaning Nigerians to help me; I am pleading.
What did you do with the dead cows?
The environmental officers of the local government were the ones that disposed of the carcasses so as to prevent a disease outbreak in the community.
Can you quantify your loss?
I have lost more than N10m because some of the cows were worth between N350,000 and N400,000 each.
...Many northerners in the South-East are also living in fear after many of them have been killed and their property worth millions of naira destroyed.
...Investigations have revealed that some of the attacks were carried out by members of the ESN.
...Religion, insurgency and call to kill.
...The birth of insurgency in South East.
...Fear in the land: Police now operate in mufti, avoid checkpoints.
...Killing your own brothers and sisters ignorantly.
...Those policemen, naval officers and prison officers killed so far are Igbo.
...Govts, stakeholders condemn attacks.
The directive given by the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu; his penchant for hate speech using his radio station and social media, ethnic profiling and the eviction order to non-indigenes have led relevant authorities and security experts to point accusing finger at the members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) for the wanton attacks on police stations and people of Northern extraction in the South- East region.
Security operatives have become an endangered species in the South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria as they are easily attacked, maimed and killed by suspected separationists and cultists.
Many northerners in the South-East are also living in fear after many of them have been killed and their property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Security experts including those who keep track of attacks said in the five states in the zone – Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu and Imo, more than 40 attacks have been launched in 2021 alone in the emerging trend of onslaught on security personnel and wanton destruction of security facilities and operational assets.
If neighbouring states in the South South, especially Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River, are added, the number of attacks is more than 60, leaving not less than 50 security personnel killed.
This spate of attacks has compounded the insecurity in the Christian-dominated states and portends a grievous security challenge to the country, experts have warned.
Investigations have revealed that some of the attacks were carried out by members of ESN, the paramilitary wing of IPOB, an outlawed group led by Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB claims to be championing a secessionist agenda, calling for the declaration of a Biafra republic.
Last Monday’s attacks at the Nigerian Correctional Service and Imo Police Headquarters, which led to the release of a total of 1,844 inmates from prison custody and yet-to-be-ascertained number of suspects from the offices of the Criminal Investigation Department, were attributed to ESN even though they denied responsibility.
The police said the attackers came in their numbers with weapons such as General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) among others.
A critical analysis of the frequent broadcasts by the bail-jumping leader of the banned IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, via his social media platforms including the Radio Biafra, indicated that he uses terms in Christianity – the dominant religion in the region, to pass his message.
He described his message as the propagation of the gospel of redemption, with regular reference to the Israelites in the Bible. He also described Biafrans as ‘direct descendants of the Most High God’.
In his one hour, 24 minutes long broadcast of March 30, posted on his Twitter handle, @MaziNnamdiKanu, he likened Arochukwu to the House of Levi in Israel.
“Arochukwu fell in 1904, our spiritual capital. All those claiming they are Ijaws are from Arochukwu. The same way you have the House of Levi in Israel, you have the House of Arochukwu. They are a priestly clan dedicated to the service and worship of God. It was our temple but Britain destroyed it in 1904,” he said.
In the broadcast which was aired a day after the police paraded 16 suspects for complicity in a series of violent attacks on security formations in the South East, Kanu claimed that the security agency arrested and parading ‘innocent people’ while and that they won’t go scot free.
The police had paraded 16 suspects, including Ugochukwu Samuel, aka Biggy, a 28-year-old native of Arochukwu in Abia State, who claimed to be the second in command of the special force of the group; Cletus Nwachukwu Egole, aka Alewa, a pastor with the Holy Blessed Trinity Sabbath Church, Orlu, Imo State; and Michael Uba, a prophet with the Association of Jewish Faith.
“ESN is in the forest, we are not in the street yet. You arrest pastors, torture them and give them confessional statements to read,” Kanu said.
“If you kill, you will be killed. Every police station where you mount your raid, it is just a matter of time, you can’t escape justice.
“Keep doing what you are doing. You are only building up hatred and anger for the police and the army, the same thing you did with Boko Haram. Boko Haram was a peaceful movement. It was Nigerian police that kept on killing them before they turned violent. The army and police in our land, you will die there. The more you kill us, the angrier and more fanatical we become,” he said.
He urged the natives to resist security operatives from arresting ‘innocent people’, adding that, “without IPOB, you are all gone. IPOB is the last line of defence between the people and their oppressors. We must all fight to leave this unholy union”.
In another broadcast which lasted for one hour, forty-five minutes, on April 4, Kanu who made a reference to the civil war, said members of the group are willing to die for the cause.
Kanu further called on the people and other nationalities to fight, hinting that Nigeria does not have enough security personnel.
This was a day before unknown gunmen attacked the federal prison and police command headquarters in Owerri, Imo State.
Even though some IPOB leaders had distanced themselves from Kanu’s claim of responsibility for the attacks in Imo, the Biafra warlord appears undeterred in giving directives for ESN members to kill.
Former Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, blamed IPOB for the attack.
In a question-and-answer session that lasted for over two hours on April 2, Kanu opined that the group is not interested in any election being held in the region, reiterating that the group is focused on actualising Biafra republic. He, however, said there are people who argued that the group should participate in the election.
The birth of insurgency in South East
A retired Director with the Department of State Service, Mike Ejiofor, has said that attacks on security formations in the South East are the beginning of insurgency.
The security expert said he predicted the outcome when IPOB was proscribed by the government in 2017, stressing that the attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the public, weakening the security institutions and public confidence in the government.
“I foresaw it and predicted it in 2017 when IPOB was proscribed and driven underground. I warned that it would become more difficult for the government to control because they will start operating from underground and that is what is happening now.
“This is the beginning of an insurgency. It is pure insurgency. The intention is to weaken people’s confidence in government by attacking security formations. When you begin to attack security formations, the confidence of the people will weaken, that the government is incapable of protecting them. This is exactly what they are doing by instilling fear in the people,” he said.
He added that attacks on correctional and detention facilities are aimed at releasing members of the group that are under incarceration.
He urged the federal government to call leaders of the region and address issues of marginalisation as well as rein on the youth.
The former DSS boss urged police to beef up security around its formations and seek the cooperation of the public.
On his part, Security Risk Management and Intelligence Specialist, Kabir Adamu, said at least 43 attacks have been launched on security formations and operatives from January to April 7. He said the attacks are coordinated to weaken the ‘already weakened security institutions’ in the region towards possible insurgency or insurrection.
“I can’t categorically state the group responsible for these attacks but it is obvious that they are non-state actors. And the only non-state actors in that region that has the capacity to launch these types of attacks are members of the ESN, the armed wing of IPOB,” he said.
He added that the group will recruit some of the inmates released from detention facilities while others, especially hardened criminals, will likely go back to their old acts and become a security threat to the region and neighbouring states.
He warned that attacks on security formations portend grave danger for the country.
“There is a possibility that other non-state actors might want to replicate this in another region. If we take our mind back, the ability of non-state actors to confront security operatives in the North East and North West would have possibly emboldened the ESN to do the same in the South East. This can also influence other non-state actors in other regions and this portends a serious challenge to our national security,” he said.
The security expert said there is a reported split in the group, which might have been driven by political interference, stressing that the sponsors of recent attacks might have political agenda ahead of elections in the region, especially the 2023 presidential election.
He said the government would have provided a platform for security agencies to do their work if they (government) can address the issues driving the secession agenda in the region such as marginalisation, nepotism in appointments, etc.
Communication expert, Dr. Tunde Akanni, who blamed what he termed ‘weak government’ for the atrocities being committed by the group, said the security agencies need to properly brief the Ministry of Information and relevant agencies to be able to dispense appropriate information that will counter the narratives being pushed by Kanu and other secessionists in the region.
Fear in the land: Police now operate in mufti, avoid checkpoints
The frequent attacks on security formations have instilled psychological fear in the security operatives who are now afraid of wearing their uniforms in public. Moreover, the development has also caused a sudden disappearance of security checkpoints on the roads in most states in the region.
One of the policemen who spoke to Daily trust on the condition of anonymity said that, “With the way things are going, we hardly wear our uniforms from home to office. We are no longer being posted to road checkpoints.”
He said that policemen in Anambra are afraid of going out for the fear of being attacked by the gunmen.
The activities of ESN have also driven fear and terror in the hearts of most residents of the region. It is a taboo to talk about the group in public as members are said to cut across age groups and communities.
A retired civil servant, Pa Ndubuisi (not real name), who has temporarily relocated from Arochukwu to Aba, said the people now live in fear as nobody wants to be caught unawares of any clash between security operatives and the group.
The octogenarian also disclosed that residents are being forced to support the cause of the group while security operatives treat every South Easterner like a potential member.
“I am afraid that we might have another war in our land. The clash and subsequent military raids in Orlu reminded me of the civil war. During the war, Orlu was a centre for humanitarian relief agencies in the region. I don’t want to see another humanitarian crisis in our land during my days,” he said.
Pa Ndubuisi, who regretted that there is no more credible socio-political group in the region, counselled the government to urgently address the issues that have made IPOB popular.
The chairman of Awka branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Ekene Okonkwo, said that the security situation in the state and the country need to be reorganised for effective operation.
He, however, emphasised that he would restrain from attributing the attacks to individuals or groups as he does not “have the competence to do so because he does not have adequate information.”
However, an insider in the Anambra government who preferred anonymity for fear of being attacked said that the attack on security formations, kidnapping and killing in the state are traceable to cultism, communal clash and activities of members of IPOB.
Killing your own brothers and sisters
Another source lamented that members of ESN are killing their brothers and sisters ignorantly.
“Most of those people killed are the same people they claim to be fighting for their freedom. Those policemen, naval officers and prison officers killed so far are Igbo,” the source said.
A resident and traditional chief in the state, Nnoruka Micheal, said that the killings and kidnapping are the consequences of unemployment facing the youths and bad governance in the land.
He said that the attack on the security operatives, especially policemen, could still be an extension of the #EndSARS protest because, “In the past, the police really dealt with the youths in the state.”
A community leader in Anambra who does not want his name in print argued that those attacking security agents, killing them and collecting their weapons have a hidden agenda and the government must act immediately before their plan gets materialised.
“I want to believe that they are building armoury for their hidden purpose. If it’s not just ordinary robbery, why would they be targeting security operatives and their guns?” he queried.
Govts, stakeholders condemn attacks
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, who visited Abiriba Community in Ohafia LGA after two policemen were killed at a checkpoint, pledged that the state government will deploy all necessary resources available to it to ensure the protection of the people and all law-abiding citizens.
He called for community vigilance and support to security agents to ensure that the perpetrators are quickly identified and brought to justice.
Commenting on the rising attacks, Abia State House of Assembly, led by Chinedum Orji, condemned the ugly development.
Relying on a motion raised by the member representing Isiala Ngwa South constituency, Chikwendu Kalu, the House demanded the arrest of those behind the attacks and recovery of all looted weapons.
Chikwendu Kalu, who is a former Speaker of the House, had cried out that his constituency was becoming unsafe because of activities of some unidentified elements around the area.
The Isiala Ngwa South legislator expressed worry at the manner a policeman was killed at the Omoba Police Station by unknown men who later burnt the station. He expressed the fear that his constituency has been exposed to danger by the dastardly activities of unknown attackers.
Speaking to Daily Trust on the issue, the Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ndubuisi Nwabeke, condemned the attacks, adding that those responsible were sabotaging the peace and unity efforts of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The native ruler observed that it was wrong to attack policemen who are on duty or to destroy their stations and working tools, while cautioning youths against resorting to violence.
He further said: “Killing of policemen is totally condemnable. Our state is safe under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as he has demonstrated the courage to keep Abia safe. Those destroying public properties should know that they were built with public funds and it will still require public funds to repair them.”
Also speaking, the Obasiukwu (II) of Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem Autonomous Community, HRM Eze John Akaliro, said it was wrong for anybody or group to become violent to the police, no matter the situation.
The President-General of Ahuwa Oboro ancient kingdom in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, Engr James Uchegbuo, called for an end to the attacks, noting that killing of policemen or other security agents and burning of their property ere not the right way to register displeasure of any kind.
Uchegbuo, who is also a former Secretary of Police Community Relations Committee, Abia State chapter, condemned the murder of security men on official duty.
The continued attacks have now endangered the lives of policemen working in the state, including those on highways and those working in stations.
The safety of police officers and their families have not been so challenged as being witnessed because of the rising attacks by the unknown group.
A policeman who spoke under the condition of anonymity said this is not the best time to be a policeman in Nigeria, especially in Abia State. As he puts it, “A police station with just eight men on duty could be overrun by hundreds of attackers armed with weapons. We have lost over 20 of our officers in less than six months,” he said.
The officer called for more protection of policemen and their families.
From Abiodun Alade, who was in Aba, Tony Adibe (Enugu), Jude Aguguo Owuamanam (Owerri), Linus Effiong (Umuahia), Titus Eleweke (Awka) & Nabob Ogbonna (Abakaliki)
The efforts of the federal government at combating money laundering and illicit financial flows may be paying off as the United Kingdom has exempted Nigeria from its list of high-risk countries for money laundering.
The list, comprising 21 countries, was released as part of post-Brexit developments.
Until the end of the Brexit transition period, the list of high-risk countries was determined by the European Union under the 4th Anti Money Laundering Directive.
However, from January 1, 2021, the UK has had its own standalone list.
Since then, any amendments made by the European Union to its list do not have effect in the UK.
The EU had in March 2019 added Nigeria to countries on its “dirty money blacklist”.
The EU said the nations in this category pose a threat because of tax controls on terrorism financing and money laundering.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, however, announced that Nigeria was officially withdrawn from the list by the Council of Europe on March 5, 2019.
Ghana, Senegal, Iran and Morocco are among the countries listed in the UK’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (High-Risk Countries) Regulations 2021 which took effect on March 26.
Others include Syria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
“These Regulations amend the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/692) (“the MLRs”) to insert as Schedule 3ZA a new UK list of high-risk third countries for the purposes of enhanced customer due diligence requirements,” an explanatory note attached to the regulation read.
“Regulation 2 substitutes for the definition of “high-risk third country” in regulation 33(3)(a) of the MLRs a definition which refers to the list of countries in this Schedule, rather than to the list in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 of 14th July 2016 supplementing Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council by identifying high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies (“the CDR”). It also makes a consequential amendment to a further reference to the CDR. Regulation 3 revokes the CDR.”
Tinubu suffers fresh gaffe, calls Dolapo Osinbajo ‘wife of the president’
Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made his second Freudian slip in as many weeks.
The former Lagos state governor has erroneously described Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, as the “wife of the president”.
He made the gaffe while speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of Aisha Buhari’s biography titled, ‘Aisha Buhari: Being different’.
The APC chieftain was the chairman of the event which held at the Banquet Hall, presidential villa, Abuja.
While acknowledging dignitaries in the audience, Tinubu said: “Your excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, ably represented by the chief of staff; his excellency the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo; her excellency first lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari; your excellency wife of the president, Dolapo Osinbajo.”
After the gaffe, Tinubu paused for a couple of seconds before resuming his remarks.
This is the second of such slips from the former Lagos governor in the past two weeks.
Southerners should not expect our protection if killing of Northerners continues in South — Gov. Matawalle
The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has warned that Southerners living in the North should not expect protection if killing of Northerners continues in the South.
The governor issued the warning in a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN on Thursday, saying the South has no monopoly of violence.
“If Northerners and their means of livelihood will not be protected, accommodated and be dignified anywhere they choose to stay in any part of the South, Southerners should NOT expect protection from the North as the North has more than what it takes to respond to any kind of aggression and hatred,” the governor said.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
ENOUGH OF THE ATTACKS ON NORTHERNERS AND THEIR ECONOMIC INTERESTS – GOV MATAWALLE
Recent happenings in the country have made it expedient for me, as a political leader and a proud Northerner, to issue this important statement. This is not the time to play politics or to play to the gallery, but a time to tell ourselves the real truth, for the benefit of peace and progress of our country, and to prevent the looming anarchy that some disgruntled, unpatriotic Nigerians want to drag the nation into.
Considering the manner we play politics in Nigeria–politics without conscience–the public may expect a statement like this to come from a governor or a leader of the APC, but I choose to make the following statement even as I remain a proud member of the opposition PDP, for the sake of our nation; for peace to reign and in the overall interest of the North.
So much is happening to the North and to Northerners as individuals. Today, their lives, dignity and possessions are being threatened by the increasingly unfriendly South even as we try, as Northern leaders, to always calm the situation and to protect the interest, businesses and dignity of all Southerners living in the North.
Despite what Northerners are experiencing today in many parts of the South-West and South-East in particular, all we hear is the conspiracy of silence from Northern leaders and elites who are supposed to stand firm, in the manner in which other leaders of the South are doing even when they know that their people are at fault. This must not continue.
As Northern leaders, our dignified silence in the face of constant provocation and assault, because of our desire for peace, MUST not be taken as a sign of weakness. Indeed no community, or region has the monopoly of violence. If Northerners and their means of livelihood will not be protected, accommodated and be dignified anywhere they choose to stay in any part of the South, Southerners should NOT expect protection from the North as the North has more than what it takes to respond to any kind of aggression and hatred.
We have seen the destruction, the killings and the devastation recently at Sasha Market against Northerners and their economic interests. Properties worth billions of Naira were lost in addition to human lives yet some leaders in the South-West are downplaying the atrocities committed or, worst still, justifying it. Some of them have shamefully gone to the extent of apportioning blames on the victims and casualties of their aggression.
Last Sunday’s killings of innocent Northerners in Imo is one too many and no matter how we love peace, leaders with conscience and fear of God MUST speak out against this continued barbarism and hatred. We will not take that any longer as NO human life is worthier than another. No business interest is better than another. In fact, in crisis situation, the South has more to lose in terms of its business interests in the North and the strategic nature they established themselves in the North than Northerners living in the South. The North is very much aware of such weaknesses and disadvantages the South is exposed to whenever there is such crisis but we always choose the path of peace and cherish peace beyond any act of lawlessness and hatred. Simple statistics on instances of unprovoked attacks against Northerners and their economic interests in the South in recent times can tell who is more tolerant, accommodating and peaceful between criminal elements and their backers that are well known in sponsoring such hatred and attacks against Northerners in the South, and our own people.
Sadly, we all can identify the thugs, the instigators of such xenophobic attacks. They are very much known and audacious in spreading their messages of hatred, incitement and provocation but unfortunately they and their leaders have continued to blackmail the federal government while government seems to be succumbing to such acts of blackmail, allowing them to live like kings and even bluntly refusing legitimate invitation by the Police. Nigeria is ONE. Whoever doesn’t want to believe in the current constitution, which is so far the legal and legitimate instrument behind our existence, should wait to challenge it through established legal and legitimate means, or pack and leave the country. We will not tolerate any form of intimidation any longer.
Even though I am a PDP Governor serving my first term in office, I don’t believe seeking for position of authority or seeking to retain it is a do or die affair or something that will silence us to ignore reality and not to stand by our people in the face of constant provocation and attacks.
As a Northerner, I condemn in strongest term how in the same manner of hatred, President Muhammadu Buhari was treated by so-called protesters that could not hide their disdain and hatred for the North. Their action, no matter their grievances, is uncivilized, highly irresponsible, unpatriotic and disrespectful to the person and office of the President and has demonstrated the growing hatred against anything North. This is certainly NOT the way to express dissatisfaction but an act of humiliation and hatred consistent with the southern agenda as the promoters and sponsors are well known and are only looking for opportunities and slightest excuse(s). Responsible and civilised protest should address only issues but reducing such sponsored protests to abusing the President, his family or parents as we have seen in London is most unfortunate, uncivilized and condemnable. I am sure they wouldn’t have done that for Buhari if he is from the South as we have seen severally on matters of their interest and agenda. The real motive and agenda of the so called protest is not for Nigeria but to humiliate the President that is why the number of the protesters, considering the large number of Nigerians living in London, is so negligible as they could be easily counted.
For the North to survive and defend its interests, our leaders MUST have the courage to always speak out against such aggression and to protect Northern interests, the way our contemporaries in the South often do, even when there is no justification to do so. We MUST not be ashamed to defend our people and protect our interests the manner they are doing. But in doing so we must not be blind, like they often are, to overlook the shortcomings or the faults of our people whenever there is one. Nigeria is for all of us. Peace or preservation of peace MUST be reciprocal and in the absence of that we demand that we will no longer tolerate what has been happening to Northerners in different parts of the South over the last few months.
Signed:
His Excellency, Alhaji Dr. Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun), Executive Governor, Zamfara State.
“The nefarious activities of these hoodlums have caused the displacement of our people who fled their homes for safety as lives and property were no longer safe.
No fewer than 5000 persons are said to have been displaced in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom state as a result of the insecurity situation and the Joint military operation conducted on Tuesday to flush out the criminal elements camped in the area.
Chairman of Essien Udim Council, Mr Anthony Luke, according to a statement obtained by Vanguard on Thursday in Uyo, said the displaced persons are from twelve (12) communities of the local government area.
Luke in the statement listed nine (9) communities seriously affected by the security situation in the area to include Ntak Ikot Akpan, Ukana Uwa, Ikot Udo Ekpat, Ikot Otu, Ikot Afangna, Nto Nsek, Ikot Abia, Ikot Ankan, Ikot Ukpong Etor, Ikot Ada Utor, Nsasak, and Ikot Akpan Essiet.
He disclosed that the displaced persons from those villages are currently taking refuge at three places in Ikot Ekpene local government area, namely St Ann Catholic Cathedral, Ikot Ekpene, the Civic Centre Atan, Ikot Okoro and St Brigid Parish, Urua Akpan.
His words ”In the past few weeks, a dangerous criminal gang launched attacks on various security facilities which led to the loss of lives of security personnel in the area. Their activities such as extortion, intimidation, robbery, and abuse of fundamental human rights of the people degenerated to a point that people were living in fear.
“The nefarious activities of these hoodlums have caused the displacement of our people who fled their homes for safety as lives and property were no longer safe.
“Again, the military operations also sent shivers through the spines of the people, who for fear of being caught up in the cross-fires, are displaced. We have about 5000 of them that have been displaced.
”I have visited the displaced persons to encourage them, give them hope and assure them that they will be catered for. We sympathize with them over what has befallen them, especially this planting season as our people are predominantly farmers. It is unfortunate”.
The Council Chairman expressed deep gratitude to the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, Dr Camillus Umoh for his magnanimity towards the people’s at such a trying time.
He commiserated with the families of Security agents who lost their lives as a result of the attacks on them by the hoodlums and described the development as regrettable and sad.
”The Bishop has not only graciously offered accommodation in the Catholic Cathedral for the displaced persons, but has also promised to partner the Council in taking care of the people until it is safe for them to return home.
”The Council and indeed the state government are working assiduously to ensure normalcy in the communities so that the displaced persons can return to their homes soon
” We remain resolute and committed to the fight against criminality in the area, and we will not stop until Essien Udim is safe for everyone”, Luke assured
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has said President Muhammadu Buhari fought hard to ensure that Nigerians trafficked and taken into slavery abroad re returned home.
The minister said after a Cable News Network (CNN) documentary about slavery in Libya was released, the President dispatched a team to the North African country, which ensured that Nigerians trapped in the country, mostly teenagers, were returned home safely.
Onyema added that the President’s inclusion of a former Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okoh-Donli, was of great importance because of her passion to ensure justice for the oppressed.
The minister spoke yesterday in Abuja at the launch of the former DG’s non-governmental organisation (NGO), Roost Foundation.
sending me messages on what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I had to do.
“The challenge of what needs to be done with regards to trafficking in persons is advocacy and sensitisation. She was very good at putting the structures to make people aware. She understood that it was not just to bring them back, because most often, they are not well educated; they have to have a sustainable means of livelihood.
“There, she saw very clearly the need to engage with the relevant governors in putting in place trainings and skills development.
“This is a global challenge, and she has the knowledge on how to engage with foreign partners because it requires a lot of diplomacy and engagement with foreign governments, foreign NGOs, building partnership and alliances. She is extremely good at that.
“A lot of people will want to leave it to the government or church, but it is heartwarming to see one of the best and brightest deciding to dedicate themselves to making the difference.”
Dame Okah-Donli said Roost Foundation would fight human trafficking and gender-based violence.
She said her organisation would use Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing and pro bono lawyers, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as arsenals in the fight against paedophiles, sexual and gender-based violence offenders and traffickers in the country.
Some residents in Imo on Monday called for strict security measures to stave a possible repeat of Monday’s attack on the police headquarters in Owerri.
Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen broke into the state police headquarters in the early hours of Monday while others attacked the Correctional Centre in the city and freed hundreds of inmates.
Residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria condemned the action and expressed fears about possible fallouts of the attacks.
Richard Agulanna, an auto spare parts dealer, expressed worry that the attack on the police would affect the morale of the law enforcement officers.
Mr Agulanna noted that the attack could lead to a spike in crime rate, especially with the freed inmates moving about in the society.
Similarly, Pius Anyanwu, a teacher, noted that attacks on the police in the state had become more brazen in recent times.
Mr Anyanwu recalled the incidents at Ihitte Uboma, also in Imo where police stations were razed in March and called for strict measures to forestall further attacks.
He also appealed to the state government to take necessary measures to control the situation.
“The attacks on the police have become too frequent and it is a big cause for worry. Although the police have their shortcomings, their presence alone is enough to deter these criminals who make the state unsafe.
“These sudden attacks on the police could cause them to abandon their duties and leave us in a worse situation.
“For the sake of people who are not entitled to private security details, urgent action should be taken,’’ he said.
Another resident Mary Njoku also expressed concern over the ease with which the operation was carried out and how none of the perpetrators was apprehended.
She also expressed concern that freed inmates harbouring grudges could go after people who worked toward their imprisonment.
Police in Imo have continued to be attacked since last October’s #EndSARS protests.
Several police stations were attacked in February and March in Aboh Mbaise, Obowo and Ihitte Uboma local government areas of the state.
BigSarah: Fake news from hell... It was Lai Mohammed that forced NBC to refer to any killings done as act of unknown gunmen, Abeg no tribal attachment.. Seun Mynd44 oam4j misleading headline
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has commended the Nigerian military over recent gains recorded against Boko Haram’s fighters in Gwoza and the road leading to the northern part of the State.
In a statement issued on Monday, Zulum’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau said the Governor authorized the public commendation, in keeping up with his objective assessment of the military.
“The Governor commends the Nigerian military such as troops of the 26 Brigade in Gwoza for eliminating and injuring scores of insurgents on Sunday and recovering their weapons.
Zulum also commends troops of sector three of Operation Lafiya Dole for eliminating scores of insurgents and recovering their weapons on Friday, along Monguno – Gajiram road during an ambush by the terror group at Jigalta village.
The troops which were accompanying a resettlement committee led by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice displayed courage, patriotism and professionalism during almost one hour encounter.
The Governor was impressed that despite three soldiers sustaining minor injuries, the troops chased the fleeing insurgents to the bush, neutralized all locations and proceeded with their escort duty.
Zulum also lauds troops of the 112 Battalion in Mafa
for recovering a truck loaded with valuable items which insurgents seized from citizens along Monguno – Gajiram road.
The troops, during their patrol between Mafa and Dikwa, on Saturday, intercepted the truck which hoped to make supplies to insurgents in Sambisa through night movements. The 112 battalions again recovered weapons and motorcycles from insurgents.
All of these are strong indications of patriotism, courage and commitment which we need to acknowledge in order to strengthen the determination to build enduring peace in Borno” Zulum said.
Politics › Re: #Isapantamiwillstay trend on TwitterNG as Arewatwitter defend isa pantami(pic) by JEWELofHELL: 9:59am On Apr 17, 2021
Fake news from hell... It was Lai Mohammed that forced NBC to refer to any killings done as act of unknown gunmen, Abeg no tribal attachment..