₦airaland Forum

Hours after the federal government announced the re-arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, there was unusual calm in Aba and Umuahia Abia state, Kanu's home.

This is even as the leadership of the group was yet to issue a press release after the arrest of their leader.

A visit by ABN TV to Afara, his country home indicates that residents were going about their normal businesses without fear of molestation.

Our correspondent in Aba reports that there was no protest following the arrest, noting that there was no unusual security presence in the commercial city.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN announced Nnamdi Kanu's arrest at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday

Malami said Kanu was arrested on Sunday but he is yet to give details of where and how he was arrested as of the time of filing this report.

He, however, said the IPOB leader will soon be brought before the Federal High Court where he jumped bail.

For years, Kanu had a running battle with the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari, over his quest for the secession of the South-East geopolitical zone.

A statesman, Sir Chikwe Udensi has expressed displeasure that Abia, his home state has not fared well in the area of infrastructure, querying what is wrong with the state.

In a chat with ABN TV, he highlighted that almost at the states in the South East, including Bayelsa state have airports, saying Abia is nowhere near it equals in infrastructure.

He condemned the state government for its inability to complete the ongoing Osisioma flyover in the past six years.

He commended Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi state governors for the level infrastructure in their states.

The security expert called on the governor to do more in leaving the legacy of infrastructure and security in the state.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has announced the relaxation of the exiting curfew in the state, saying restriction of vehicular movements now starts 10pm to 6am daily in Aba and Umuahia.

This he said is in view of noticeable security improvements within the state and neighboring states.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, he said the curfew in Ohafia, Bende, Umunneochi and Arochukwu LGAs now takes effect from 8pm to 6am daily.

"Government wishes to advise citizens and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious movements to security agents and ensure full compliance with the new curfew regimes which take effect from Friday, 18th June, 2021, subject to further reviews" he added.

Recall that ABN TV had brought you a report where some organizations, particularly hospitality industries made an appeal to the governor to relax the curfew to save their means of livelihood.

Notable personalities have also since joined in the call on government to take measures to save livelihoods.

Confronted by a dilapidated and leaking worship centre, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, City Model Parish, Umuahia Abia State has called on good-spirited Nigerians, groups and the Christian community, in general, to come to their aid as they make efforts to pack to a befitting worship centre.

Not deterred by the situation of the current structure to have communion with their God, members of the church on Sunday defied the heavy downpour which flooded into the worship arena to have their normal Sunday service.

When ABN TV visited the church, members were sighted scooping water from the church hall while others were seen holding their umbrellas during the service.

Speaking with our correspondent, Rev. Engr. Cletus Mba, the Minister in charge of City Model Parish of Presbyterian Church Azikiwe Road Umuahia described the situation as pathetic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ-NTYxs2ls
The Clergy noted that the church has been robbed of its peace since the commencement of the rains, adding that as a parish, the centre ought to be a megacity church where people will worship freely.

According to Rev. Mba, the situation has remained challenging to the parish, urging Nigerians with modest means, especially members of Presbyterian Church nationwide to come to the Parish's assistance.

He expressed displeasure that after 175 years of existence of the church, worship services are still conducted in such an arena.

"The church of Jesus should not suffer shame. It should not suffer this type of thing. Please, brethren, let's come to the aid of City Model Parish in Azikiwe Road, Umuahia so that we can leave here.

"We have gotten a place we want to pay for. What is holding us now is the balance of N10m. As a church, we have committed about N11m. We are calling on good-spirited people of God to come and help us" he appealed.

Former governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu has weighed in on the recent agitations for a sovereign state of Biafra, advising Igbos to embrace unity and be committed to one Nigeria.

In a statement via his social media page, Sen. Kalu, Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate admonished Igbos and Nigerians, in general, to eschew all forms of violence and be mindful of utterances so as not to relive or pursue a repetition of the 1967 civil war.

“Whenever the 1967 – 1970 civil war is mentioned, it’s an emotive experience for any peace-loving Nigerian, not just an Igbo man. We should not either by words or actions pursue a repetition of that horrible genocide.

“We should come to understand that every war ends on a table.”

“Instead of destruction before coming to the table, is it not wiser to come to the table and avoid destruction? We need infrastructure, we need investments, we don’t need hostilities. So we are pleading with you to stop and embrace peace”.

An entrepreneur and the CEO De Latinos, a leading hospitality organisation in Abia, Emmanuel Okenini aka Bello has decried the prolonged curfew imposed in various cities of Abia including Aba and Umuahia, saying it is putting their business under existential threat., ABN TV report.

Okeini said at a time when the industry was gradually getting its foot back on the ground after the COVID-19 lockdown, the imposition of curfew in the state has posed another challenge, causing the industry owners, family, and staff to pass through financial difficulties.

In his verified Facebook page on Monday, De Latinos CEO while pledging support to the state government in its measure to deal with insecurity in the state, he appealed for an intervention to save their livelihood and means of survival.

While insisting that Hotel & Restaurant industry are in deep financial trouble in Abia, he said justice for them in the face of the security concerns in the state is needed.

He said, "With the Abia state government imposing night curfew, restaurants and similar establishments in the state are again staring at an existential crisis. After coming out of #covid-19, #endsars this curfew that is almost lasting 3months could be a final blow to many hospitality businesses in Abia state.

"It has been less than six months since the struggling hospitality sector found some footing after bearing the brunt of the strict nationwide lockdown for most parts of 2020. The sector suffered massive losses due to the stringent eight-month lockdown that was imposed to contain the pandemic’s first wave in Nigeria.

"We are doomed this time around if we are expected to be both, shut for business and not receive any relief. Shut us but do justice to the owners, staff, and their families. Take care of the salaries.

"The Hotel & Restaurant industry are in deep financial trouble and without the Government’s consideration, it will be staring at a catastrophic disaster."

He continued, "As the situation stands, it seems that the curfew have triggered an existential crisis for the hospitality sector. Already neck-deep in losses due to the months of the stringent lockdown last year, most establishments do not have the financial capacity to withstand more restrictions.

"While the measures taken by state government seem inevitable because of the insecurity, they need to find a way to make this period easier for the struggling hospitality sector before it's too late. We are pleading for help, restore our business, restore jobs and let the families of those who work in the hospitality industry have hope again."

ABN TV recalls that the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu had about three months ago announced a curfew in parts of the state following incessant attacks by unknown gunmen on security personnel and formations.

At the moment, Aba the commercial centre, and Umuahia, the state capital are under 8pm to 6am curfew.

Ikwuano, Ohafia and Arochukwu are also under curfew.