Orlu: Group blames IPOB, Eastern Security Network over deaths

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has condemned the killing of innocent citizens by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Monday in Orlu, Imo State. 

The group, in a statement on Tuesday, said such lawlessness is unacceptable in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the South-East and South-South. Recall that fugitive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, had in December announced the formation of the ESN, which has extensively recruited gullible youths into its fold. 

Many Nigerians have criticised the outfit, described as a regional military force or IPOB private army.

And in a statement signed by Mazi Dike Christopher, its Director of Mobilization and Enlightenment, the INM said the sole purpose of the ECN is to instigate violence, create chaos and carry out nefarious activities that would lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties. 

According to Christopher, Monday’s incident in Orlu again brings Nnamdi Kanu’s mission to disrupt peace in the South-East and parts of the South-South to the fore. 

The INM, therefore, called on all Nigerians and the international community to condemn the killings as the “height of rascality exhibited by IPOB terrorists and its affiliates”.

While commending officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for responding promptly to the distress call from the Nigerian Police, the group warned Kanu to desist from further unholy ventures. 

The INM, however, called on Nigerians to join forces with the security agencies to address the threats posed by this militant group. 

Read the full statement below:

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement views with concern the recent activities of Eastern Security Network in South East and part of South-South Nigeria that has resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties. 

We are aware, just like the generality of Nigerians that the Eastern Security Network by all indication is a creation of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with the sole purpose of instigating violence, creating chaos and carrying out nefarious activities that would lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement, as a result, condemns the killing of innocent citizens by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network in Orlu, Imo State in a most gruesome manner ostensibly on the instruction of the fugitive Nnamdi Kanu. 

The unfortunate incident in Orlu, Imo State once again brings to the fore how Nnamdi Kanu and his co-travellers plan to disrupt peace in South East and parts of South-South Nigeria by establishing the Eastern Security Network to act as the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

We wish to state that this act of lawlessness is unacceptable in the interest of peace and tranquillity in South East and South Nigeria. Hence, the need for security agencies to carry out a detailed investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of innocent Nigerians.  

We are also using this medium to rebuke the perceived mastermind of the nefarious activities of the Eastern Security Network, Nnamdi Kanu for his atrocities against the people of Nigeria through the sponsorship of criminal gangs in fulfilment of his innate desire to see to the disintegration of Nigeria. 

As a matter of urgency, Nnamdi Kanu must come to terms with the reality that his actions and inactions over the years are acts of terrorism. He must therefore desist from such unholy ventures forthwith. 

It’s therefore unfortunate that after committing such a heinous crime against humanity, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, a fugitive, will go online to incite members of the IPOB in Nigeria to take up arms against men of the Nigerian Army under any guise.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement is aware that members of the Eastern Security Network indeed mobilized themselves and armed with assault rifles and attacked police officers and burnt down scores of police stations. This consequently necessitated the distress call to the Nigerian Army for reinforcement in the face of the arson being committed by members of the Eastern Security Network. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement wishes to state in unequivocal terms that incident in Orlu, Imo State that lleftoverfour persons dead and scores injured is the height of rascality exhibited by IPOB terrorists and its affiliates. All Nigerians and the international community must condemn this.

We wish to use this medium to commend officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for indeed saving the day by responding promptly to the distress call from the Nigerian Police. This, in our opinion, indicates the critical role of the Nigerian Army in internal security operations in the country. We also call on the government and other concerned stakeholders to initiate measures that would address the threats posed by Nnamdi Kalu and his cohorts before things spiral out of control. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement is calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to join forces with the security agencies to address the threats posed by this militant group that has been terrorizing the good and peaceful people South-East Nigeria. 

Inter-faith clerics end 21 days prayers for Nigeria, Buhari’s administration

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP), on Monday, wrapped up its 21 days intercessory prayers for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The three-week-long spiritual exercise came to a halt at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, with hundreds of respected Christian and Muslim clerics in attendance. 

In his address, Sheik Abubakar Idris said in the course of the programme, Nigerians displayed that religion and ethnicity are tools used to divide the country.

Idris noted that the 21 days of fasting and intercessory prayers have shown that Nigerians are united regardless of religious and ethnic beliefs. 

According to him, there is no alternative to peace in Nigeria and agents of darkness are not happy with the gains recorded in critical sectors of the economy under President Buhari.

Sheik Idris, however, hoped that the peace prayed for shall be permanent in Nigeria, and the country will witness the reward for the agents of Satan for their evil deeds. 

He added that the results of the group’s intervention would be made clearer in the coming days, weeks, and months. 

Read the full statement below:

As-Salam-u-Alaikum 
wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh

Peace is unto you, and so may the mercy of Allah and his blessings.

“Let Peace Reign in the land.”

I bring peace and blessings to you all gathered here in the bosomy ceremony of the 21 days fasting and intercessory prayers for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari in the year 202.

What is most important in this gathering is the fact that the Unity Church and the Unity Masjid has proven to be that ground for intercession for Nigeria in this critical point of our existence occasioned by the activities of Satan and its agents. 

I am glad that for 21 days, we have prayed and fasted, and the results of our intervention would be made clearer in the coming days, weeks, and months. I say may Allah bless you with happiness and good health.
 
As we prayed and fasted, we were also aware of the recent happenings in the country with the potentials of threatening peace and stability in the country. Some agents of darkness are not happy with the gains recorded in critical sectors of the economy under President Muhammadu Buhari. As such, they have been fanning the embers of war. 

My brothers and sisters, there is no substitute for peace in Nigeria, and this is what we have preached in all of the gatherings of the Unity Church and the Unity Masjid for several years running. 

“O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace. Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you.” (Holy Quran: 2, 208). Allah introduces himself as the most beneficent and the most merciful. He repeatedly orders the Muslims to be kind and gentle among each other. The Quran is surfeited with verses on peace and tolerance.

My brothers and sisters, there is no alternative to peace in Nigeria because Nigeria is indeed a country blessed by God. God has decreed that anyone who rises against Nigeria shall be put to shame. God’s wrath shall visit such people with ulterior motives, no matter how highly or lowly placed in society. 

I am glad for all of us here who have shown great sacrifice since the beginning of the 21 days of fasting and prayers. We have displayed a great sense of enthusiasm towards Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari’s noble efforts despite the avalanche of conspiracies against him. 

I want to use this medium to encourage us to continue to remember President Muhammadu Buhari in our prayers wherever we find ourselves outside the Unity Church and the Unity Masjid. I also want us to see that the task of interceding for Nigeria as an assignment that has been bestowed on us by Allah (SWT). 

“And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are dwellers of paradise, they will dwell therein forever.” Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Ayah 82. “Allah has promised those who believe and do deeds of righteousness that for them, there is forgiveness and a great reward. Surah Al-Maidah 5: Ayah 9” 

My brothers and sisters, our faith and trust are in Allah (SWT) the most merciful and the most beneficial for his wondrous deeds in Nigeria. Allah has continually preserved Nigeria to the shame of Satan. For this, we are grateful and a reason why we must continue to do all within our means to pray for peace in our land through wisdom for President Muhammadu Buhari. 

He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases, and he, to whom Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember (will receive admonition) except men of understanding—Quran (Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 269). 

My brothers and sisters, we have done well in the past 21 days. We have also displayed that religion and ethnicity are tools that are utilized by agents of Satan to divide us. The 21 days of fasting and intercessory prayers has shown that we are united in Nigeria regardless of our religious and ethnic beliefs. 

The Unity Church and the Unity Masjid is indeed a place of intercession for Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari. Allah (SWT) has mandated us to carry out this assignment. This much we have done diligently and faithfully. 

As we conclude this programme, my prayers are that the many blessings of Allah (SWT) shall reside in our dwelling places. The peace that we have prayed for shall be permanent in Nigeria, and we shall all witness the reward for the agents of Satan for their evil deeds. 

“Our Lord! Accept (this) from us, you indeed hear all and know all. Our Lord! Let us give ourselves to you and let our descendants be a group who give themselves to you and show us our ways of worship and pardon us, you are indeed forgiving most generously, and you are kind.” ( Al-Baqarah -127,-128). 

“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”( Al-Baqarah -201)

“Our Lord! Do not reproach us if we forgot or if we made errors. Our Lord! Do not impose on us a burden like that you imposed on those who were before us. Our Lord! Do not lay on us what we have no strength to carry and pardon us and give your forgiveness to us and have mercy on us. you are our Lord, so help us against the rejecter of the faith. “( Al-Baqarah -286)

“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” ( A’li Imran -8)

“O our Lord! We believe in what you sent down, and we follow the messenger, then register us with those who bear this testimony.” (A’li Imran -53)

“O my Lord! Grant me through your grace children and children of children who are descent. You indeed hear the prayers attentively.” ( A’li Imran -38)

“O our Lord! You did not create this for no reason; You are far from absurdity. To protect us against the torment of fire. Our Lord! Those whom you put in the fire are helpless, and the wrongdoers have no supporters. Our Lord! We heard a person calling to the faith ( saying that you must ) believe in your Lord, so we believed. Our Lord! Clean our sins for us and ignore our evil acts and take us to you alongside those who are righteous. Our Lord! Give us what you promised your messengers and do not leave us helpless in the resurrection day. You indeed, never break your promise.” ( A’li Imran -191-194). 

My brothers and sisters, I leave you with the peace and blessings of Allah (SWT). I thank you all for your patience and steadfastness in the last 21 days. 

Subhaanaka Allaahumma was bihamdika, ‘ash-had ‘a laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta, ‘astaghfirullah was ‘autobus ‘ilayka.

Southwest’s lingering conflagration and its political undertone

By Rotimi Akinbile

Finally, the missing link in the puzzle unfolding in Southwest Nigeria has been discovered with the recent  expose by no less a person than Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matters.

Ojudu in a widely circulated piece he wrote, narrated how a meeting was arranged between Southwest political leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leading Southwest political thug, Sunday Igboho in order not to disrupt the Ekiti rerun election in 2009.

The story confirms what many have been saying about the real forces behind Igboho who recently issued a quit notice to Fulani in Yorubaland and has even moved to enforce the order by sacking the Sarkin Fulani and his family from Igangan community in Oyo State.

The boldness Igboho exhibited to issue the threats and the swift manner he moved to enforce his own orders coupled with the fact that he has not been arrested up till now, goes to reinforce the fact that Igboho is not a mere thug but a well equipped tool in the hands of certain politicians.

The question is, who are these powerful politicians that are using Igboho to cause confusion and mayhem in Nigeria. An analysis of the Ojudu narration exposes two things: the first is that Igboho is a political thug available to the highest bidder, the second is that, many of the top politicians in the Southwest are aware of this and they use him when the occasion demands and three, that the political godfather of the Southwest, Tinubu, does not only know Igboho but had used his services in the past to his advantage and even offered him a ‘golden handshake.’

What can be deduced from this is simple: that since 2009, there has been a relationship between Tinubu and Igboho and two, that with Tinubu’s ability to offer a ‘golden handshake,’ that the loyalty of Igboho could be and has been sustained over the years.

This, exactly is why current happenings in the Soutwest cannot be dismissed as mere happenstance by some misguided elements to evict the Fulani from Yorubaland as it bears all the traits of a rehearsed plot.

The whole episode bears the mark of a script well written to draw the attention of the rest of the country to the Southwest and to pressure certain political forces into accepting certain candidates that have not been accepted as eligible to succeed Mr. President. 

First, it was the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu who asked the Fulani in certain parts of his state to vacate those places or be penalised. 
Then Igboho fell into the picture and the entire country has not remained the same again.

As one tries to make meaning out of the matter, it will be apt to scrutinise the precedent scenario so as to grasp the full picture of what is going on in the Southwest with Igboho and Tinubu. 

In the late 90s, when it was clear that General Sani Abacha was not ready to hand over the reins of government to anyone else, but was bent on perpetuating himself in power, politicians in the Southwest took a decision aimed at forcing the General to quit and sponsored Ganiu Adams to take over the leadership of the Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, from Dr. Federico Fasehun and the OPC under Adams began to unleash mayhem in the Southwest that made governance more difficult for Abacha.

By then, many of the NADECO leaders including Tinubu had gone on self exile and the junta could not identify the real forces behind the OPC. It was much later when Nigeria returned to democracy and most of those self exiled pro-democracy activists returned that the picture became clearer that it was just a political tool to protect and advance the cause of certain interests.

Now the whole drama is being repeated with a slight adjustment to the dramatis personae. Rather than Adams, we now have Igboho, but the people behind the plot, those directing the scenes from behind have not changed.

Clearly, what is happenings in the Southwest is the voice of Jacob but the hand of esau. While it is Akeredolu and Igboho whose voices are being heard, it is obvious that it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu that is somewhere playing the music. 

It is well known that Tinubu wants to be President of Nigeria and his quest for the coveted office has intensified in recent times because age is not in his side and this seems his best opportunity given that he belongs to the ruling party and the incumbent is serving his seond term. 

But Tinubu has been served sufficient notice that APC cannot hand over the presidential ticket to him as there are many issues dogging his ambition that makes him ineligible for the presidency. 

The first is that he has many criminal allegations against him that it will not be good to have him succeed a President who has done much to fight corruption.

The second is that he was the one that nominated the current vice president and it will not be fair to exclude other politicians from the Southwest who have served the country well in order to please him and thirdly, it is the people that will decide their President in 2023 and not any other person.

But Tinubu appears desperate and is trying all including using the old and discarded methods of NADECO to twist the arms of the powers that be. This is why Igboho has been unleashed on us.

But Tinubu’s presidential ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian as it self serving and not based on the desires to transform the country. 
Nigeria does not need people who believe in the power of money and violence. It is time the nation is freed from the grip of the old order and allowed to move ahead.

Akinbile is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Akure.

Gov Zulum’s Victory Bell at Biu

By Charles Ibekwe

Since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East, Nigeria in 2009, Nigeria has witnessed a period classified as one of the most trying in its history. I would say that the Boko Haram insurgency was underestimated. Consequently, conventional tactics were deployed in an asymmetric war.

And the outcome of such military deployment remains a topic for another day. However, the crux of this piece is to systematically analyze the security situation in present-day North-East Nigeria and the factors that have proved to be the game-changer in the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

There have been concerted efforts that have resulted in gains and losses. There has been realignment and strategizing towards nipping the Boko Haram scourge in the mud. This is why the focus of this piece would be centered around 2016 to date when the Nigerian Military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram insurgents.

At the front of the renewed charge is the Nigerian Army, the arm of service that has received praises and bashings in equal measures from stakeholders and other segments of the Nigerian population. Despite, all the Nigerian Army has continued in a most commendable fashion.

This much was brought to bear recently by the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum at the occasion of the formal presentation of First Class Staff of Office to the Emir of Biu Emirate in Borno State, HRH, Mai Mustafa Umar Mustapha II.

Governor Babagana Zulum indeed captured the real situation of things regarding the efforts of the Nigerian Army in the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency that has ravished most parts of North-East Nigeria mainly Borno State. In his words, he stated thus:

“I must commend the Chief of Army Staff, Directors and Principal Staff Officers of Army Headquarters, the Theatre Commander, the General Officer Commanding, Sector Commanders, Brigade Commanders and Commanding Officers, Men and Officers of the Nigerian Army, Men and Officers of the Nigerian Police Force and other paramilitaries, Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters and vigilante for the support they have rendered in securing the territorial integrity of our nation”.

This coming from the governor of a state that is regarded as the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency is an indication that the commendation that has poured in for the leadership of the Nigerian Army and other paramilitary agencies involved in the Boko Haram insurgency is indeed worth every inch of it. The statement has also quashed some of the negative narrative pushed by some segment of the population with regards to the commitment of the Nigerian Army in the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity.

I believe that no other person is competent to comment on the Boko Haram insurgency than the governor of the state that is the epicenter of the insurgency. In my opinion, the governor has demonstrated patriotism through his actions, and I expect all those hanging on the fence to come to terms with this reality.

I don’t hold brief for the Nigerian Army or any other paramilitary agency. But I am constrained to lend my voice to this debate because I am conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria. And I know of the tremendous sacrifices that have gone into the restoration of normalcy in the region.

I recall that on numerous occasions I had advocated that Nigerians must form the habit of appreciating the efforts of the Nigerian Army. This is especially with the fact that we were up against an ideology that is deeply rooted in mischief, politics and extremism. This is indeed what the Boko Haram insurgency is all about. Take it or leave it.

It is not a conventional war, and as such, we should not expect troops to move in and smoke out Boko Haram insurgents within a timeframe. No, that is abnormal thinking that Nigerians must avoid. And unfortunately, this has been the yardstick that has been used in measuring the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. This is also aside from the conspiracies both internally and externally by some vested interest towards ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgents continue to perpetuate evil and cause untold hardship in North-East Nigeria.

If not for anything, when one makes a detailed comparison of the state of affairs in North-East Nigeria pre-2015 and post- 2015, we would realize that a lot has changed for good and the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents has been reduced tremendously. From controlling over 16 local government areas, to directly engaging the Nigerian Army in battles and many other daring acts which included the systematic spread of terror to other parts of the country including the Federal Capital Territory.

Today, the story has changed as the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents have been confined to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region, with no territory under their control and largely carrying out offensives in Gestapo hit and run style. If this is not something that should elicit commendation, I wonder what else should do—my candid thoughts.

If not for anything, I am glad that such a statement from the Governor of Borno State would inspire the troops to work harder because their efforts have been noticed and commended. This psychological boost is what is indeed needed as we push towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency. I used the word push because this is an ideological war and not a conventional war. And as some of us may know, insurgencies the world over is not something that comes to an end with the snap of the fingers. Some historical accounts stated that insurgencies take a minimum of 15 years to be addressed entirely because insurgency is an evolving phenomenon.

The Boko Haram insurgency is not any different; we recall that the target was security agents initially. From there it moved to the establishment of caliphates. It also moved to abductions and attacks on soft targets in women and children and today; it is now focused on guerrilla warfare.

Having said all, I am also in awe as to why Governor Babagana Zulum chose to make this statement in Biu. In case we do not know, the Biu Emirate has remained one of the regions in Borno State that have shown outstanding commitment towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. The Civilian Joint Task Force that is in place in all parts of Borno state is an expansion of the Biu model that was effective in neutralizing Boko Haram threats.

As a fact, the Boko Haram insurgents found it difficult to recruit fighters from Biu. And it is on record that they always meet their waterloo whenever they attempt to infiltrate Biu. And this is largely why Biu has remained one of the most peaceful cities in Nigeria. With the benefit of hindsight, the governor indeed was strategic in the choice of Biu to make such a remarkable statement.

I am glad. I am elated, and I must not fail to use this medium to register my profound appreciation to the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who has led the Nigerian Army at this historical time. He has displayed a firm conviction towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. His approach and strategy are topnotch, and I won’t talk about the numerous awards that have come his way for lack of space. But what I can say is that the provision of leadership in the Nigerian Army is responsible for the feats recorded in the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

I can only wonder what the story would have been if there had been a continuation of the pre-2015 era where troops’ morale was at its lowest ebb. I dare to say that if this momentum is sustained, the Boko Haram insurgency would be a thing of the past soon. But we all have a role to play; we must continue to extend our support in ways that we can as this is not a conventional war but an asymmetric one.

I doff my hat for the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for he is indeed the soldiers’ soldier. And one that is an epitome of hard work, resilience and passion for Nigeria. What more can I say? This is indeed a victory bell in Biu.

Ibekwe is a public affairs commentator based in Enugu.

Southwest security: Group petitions IGP, wants Tinubu investigated

The Northern Patriot Assembly, NPA has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu  to demand an immediate investigation of APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the lingering security breach in the South Western part of the country.

The group also wants the IGP to withdraw policemen attached to the Ondo State Governor so that the governor would not use them to enforce his unfortunate order to send the Fulani packing from the Southwest and to harass other innocent citizens. 

The NPA delegation led to the force headquarters by its Director of Public Enlightenment,Ibrahim Lawal also urged the Inspector General of Police, to use his  good office to nip the impending crisis in the bud by arresting Tinubu, Igboho and others behind the current turmoil in the Southwest.

Some south west states have been in crisis following quit notice issued to Fulani herdsmen in the area.

The NPA while  commending  the reformation the IGP have brought to the Nigeria Police since he  assumed office said his style of administration and innovative tactics especially your handling of the EndSARS protests last year, has increased public confidence in the Nigeria Police and has made the country more peaceful and secured for citizens.

The group said,” Inspector General Sir, as you continue to seek ways of ensuring enduring peace and security in the country, we wish to bring to your notice the action of some subversive elements who are trying to disrupt the prevailing hard earned peace and security and are on the verge of letting loose commotion and strife on the country due to their selfish aims .

“We are pleased to inform you that we have monitored the activities of these people and ready to report to you that they not only do they not mean well for the country but are prepared to destroy every single gain we have made as nation since the amalgamation in 1914.

” Inspector General Sir, you must have observed that Ondo State under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has been one of the most peaceful states in the country with the least threats to peace and security. 

“You must have been surprised therefore to see that of all the states in the Southwest, it is the Ondo governor who all of a sudden, would come out to issue ultimatum to members of a certain ethnic group in Nigeria, the Fulani, to quit some parts of his state.

“Apart from being a lawyer who should know the Constitution of Nigeria, Akeredolu is not known to have proclivities for sabre rattling and unnecessary attention seeking which emphasizes the curious twists in what is happening in the Southwest today.

” Sir, you must have also noticed that immediately after Akeredolu issued the ultimatum, that one rabble rouser, a certain Mr. Sunday Igboho, took a cue from there and issued his own ultimatum which he extended to all parts of Yorubaland”he said 

Lawal added that as the nation was trying to come to task with this, the same Igboho quickly moved into Oyo State and forcefully tried to evict the leader of a Fulani community and some herdsmen living there which led to a clash resulting in the death of some persons.

He said, ” Inspector General Sir, as the fine police officer that you are, no one can school you on the security implication of these actions and the criminal tendencies they evince, but we believe it will be apt to say that these actions have crossed the threshold of normal law abiding citizenship bordering on crime and saboteur which  require drastic actions on the part of law enforcement agencies. 

“While we do not lay claim to superior intelligence than the police, we rely on the encouragement given responsible citizens by the force to always report suspicious movements around, to intimate you about what we know on the recent threats to security in Southwest Nigeria. 

“Sir, without fear of contradiction, we make bold to say that what is happening in the Southwest is mere politics which has the fingerprint of the self acclaimed leader of Southwest politics, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, all over it.

“Tinubu, as you know, is seriously lobbying to become the President of Nigeria by 2023. 

“He claims he has invested so much in the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket that he should be compensated as the successor to Buhari, though it appears he may not have succeeded in convincing the leaders of the APC to hand over the ticket of the party to him especially with the declaration by Mamman Daura last year, that the presidency has not been zoned to any particular geopolitical zone in the country. 

“This has made the politician to become restless and is desperately doing all within his powers to blackmail the presidency into kowtowing to his wishes and may have resorted to using the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and the Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho and others to ignite tension in the Southwest. 

“All these are carefully coordinated to heat up the polity and make the country ungovernable with the hope that after achieving this, he  will appear indispensable and be called to the negotiating table to state his terms.

“Sir, you will agree that this is a self serving and unpatriotic act that should be condemned as no country will allow its fate to to be tied to the political fortunes or otherwise of any politician let alone a person like Tinubu, who over the years, has been accused of so many acts of crimes against the Nigerian state.

“Only recently, one Dapo Apara, a Nigerian chartered accountant, has accused Tinubu and others of money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, and sundry corrupt practices.

“Last year, the former Lagos State Governor was also fingered as one of the sponsors of the EndSars protests which almost destroyed Nigeria.

“Many online media reported at the heat of the protests that Bola Tinubu was sponsoring the #EndSARS protests in the South Western part of the country in order to cripple the country and bring the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to disrepute on the global front.

:Based on these antecedents, we have every reason to believe that Tinubu is behind the current turmoil in the Southwest and should be arrested and questioned about his role in the whole saga.

“This is considering the gravity of the offences in which many people have lost their lives and property worth billions of naira have been destroyed. 

“These acts of incitement through proxies is equivalent to instigating domestic xenophobia to cause harm on a particular set of people.

” We believe that the IGP would look into our requests and  handle the matter  professionally to save the country from degenerating into the chaos and mayhem intended by these political actors”he concluded 

Effium mayhem: AESID wants Umahi, council boss probed

Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora, AESID, has called on the security agencies to probe Governor David Umahi and the chairman of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Clement Odah, over an alleged communal clash between the Effium and Effium indigenes of Ezza extraction, leading to the death of over 40 people.

President of the association, Paschal Oluchkwu, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, condemned the mayhem, alleged that it was politically motivated.

According to him, the facts on the ground actually prove that the attempt to unlawfully annex some federal electoral wards which originally belong to Ezza-Effium people of Ezza extraction to Wards of Effium indigenes of Korri extraction in the ongoing Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise by the National Population Commission (NPC)

“Further probe into the said action showed that the NPC officials were ostensibly misguided by agents of Ohaukwu Council Chairman, Barr. Clement Odah, and other stakeholders of Effium indigenes of Korri extraction.

“Documented evidence made available to AESID showed that the peculiarities of Effium community where Effium people of Ezza Ezekuna extraction or Ezza-Effium people constituted about 80% of the entire population of the community warranted the demarcation of the five electoral wards in the community with family/kindred labels or names instead of the normal physical or geographical boundaries by the Government of old Anambra State through her Edict No. 4 of 1990,” the AESID added.

The group also said that it aware of the complaints raised by Ezza stakeholders in its petition to the NPC against the actions of its EAD officials who were unfortunately misguided by the Local Government boss, Barr. Odah, his agents and co-conspirators.

According to the group, Ezza stakeholders cautioned that the acts of unlawfully annexing parts of the wards of Effium indigenes of Ezza-Ezekuna extraction including the homes of some notable politicians, renowned academics and other prominent cum other natives of Ezza-Effium people’s homes to Effium people of Korri extraction was an open invitation to chaos.

“Yet, to the best of our knowledge, the said Odah and his agents including the government hadn’t acted fast to correct these unconscionable and inflammable annexations.

“Even the solemn prayers by the said Ezza stakeholders for a prompt and proper reversal of all parts of the wards of Effium indigenes of Ezza-Ezekuna extraction otherwise known as Ezza-Effium people unlawfully annexed to Effium indigenous people’s wards were paid deaf ears to by the powers that be.

“We condemn this politically-motivated action meant not only to stir needless dusts but also to decimate the strengths of the most populous and peace-loving Ezza clan who has lived in peace with all its neighbours in the State be there in Ishiagu, Ukawu and Abaomege in Ebonyi South; Ezzaegu, Ogboji or Ezzillo communities in Ishielu LGA in the Central or in Effium in the north not until the last and present political dispensations.

“Whereas, we commend the new and ebullient State’s Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba for the prompt action of arresting all those who are suspected to have had a hand in the Effium carnage.

“We wish to request that the police should get to the root of this crisis by thoroughly investigating the Council Chairman, Barr. Odah and his co-travellers in lieu of the current facts that are already in public domain particularly to the effect that his people (Effium indigenes of korri extraction) had even planned and secured weapons for the attacks with his knowledge and consent.

“Such act is worrisomely unbecoming of a public office holder who holds the sway as the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government Area. To this extent therefore, we also heap the blames on the door-steps of Governor Umahi who has continued to encourage and support the said Barr. Odah to slap, maim, attack and humiliate stakeholders and anyone who does not agree with his views.

“None of the sad incidences of mayhems reported against the said Clement Odah and his marauding band of cult-boys have ever been investigated and sanctioned by the State government since his appointment as a Council boss in 2015 and subsequently his election and re-election into the same office.

“Rather, the Umahi government does any and everything possible to always shield him from the arms of the law at each point in time.

“Also, the claims in certain quarters that the refusal of many Effium indigenes of Ezza-Ezekuna extraction to follow the said Barr. Odah and his principal, Engr. Umahi to their new new APC voyage may have also contributed to the devious plot to forcefully coerce people in opposition to politically belong to the fold by virtue of the misguided delineation should not be swept under the carpet.

“The security agencies should investigate this as a matter of urgency and bring all those responsible for this mayhem to book. Of course, this platform is aware of Umahi’s use of majority of the Local Government Chairmen in the State to stir crisis among stakeholders and community leaders with some of them acting almost above the laws of the land.

“We know he gives them backings to perpetrate mayhems and cause unrests in their communities and LGAs so they could be emboldened to attack his political foes or opponents particularly in periods of elections and electioneering campaigns.

“This particular incident, we suspect, is obviously part of Umahi’s 2023 political game-plan!

“Unlike in the pasts, we wish to state that the reported arrest of some of the stakeholders should not be the usual smokescreen that would often yield no result or bring any permanent solution.”

Leave Nigerian military alone, group begs ICC, Amnesty International

The Congress for Human Rights in Nigeria (CHRN) has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Amnesty International to steer clear of the Armed Forces of Nigeria while alleging them of taking side with Boko Haram terrorists. 

The human rights group, which made this known at a world press conference on Monday in Lagos, alleged that these groups aim to destroy the country and erode the gains made in the war against terrorism and insurgency.

In his address, Executive Director, Comrade Lawal Johnson said the international organisations have always turned blind eyes to the many atrocities of Boko Haram terrorists. 

Comrade Johnson said they tend to look the other way each time the terrorists attack and wreak havoc on either the military or civilian population. 

He also alleged that when the military infiltrates the ranks of these terrorists and neutralise their members, the ICC and Amnesty would immediately raise the red flag alleging all manners of human rights abuses which are most times fabricated to suit their aims of perpetrating or sustaining mayhem in Nigeria. 

According to the rights group, there are indications that the ICC is about to release a report to indict Nigeria military chiefs based on fictitious allegations.

The plot, Johnson said is to compel troops to abandon the armed forces and go AWOL for fear of being prosecuted at The Hague. 

The CHRN, therefore, warned both organisations “to take their fallacies elsewhere and leave Nigeria alone.”

Read full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, 
I’m sure that by now we are all familiar with the subversive activities of the International Criminal Court, ICC and Amnesty International against Nigeria.

We state without fear of contradiction that these two organisations are both out to destroy our country and erode the gains we have so far made on the war against terrorism and insurgency.

Anybody familiar with the history of insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria and the interventions by these two international bodies would agree that no only do they not mean well for Nigeria but that they are colluding with these agents of destabilisation to destroy our dear country.

THEIR PLANS TO DESTROY NIGERIA 

We say because of the incontrovertible evidence we have against these two organisations as characterized by their proclivity to react to issues only in certain manners that expose their bias.

Despite the carnage and obstruction of the order by the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria in which over 15, 000 have reportedly been killed over the years while millions of children have dropped out of school and hundreds of thousands more persons have been displaced and have become destitute, the ICC and Amnesty International have never objected the atrocities of these murderers. 

Indeed,  we remember how Boko Haram members went to a school at a place called Buni Yard in Yobe State and slaughtered over 58  boys between the ages 11 to 15.

These same set of despicable characters went to a high institution at a place called Mubi, in Adamawa State and selected at random students who they murdered in cold blood and the full view of their mates.

Stories of how they waylay innocent travellers on roads, ut their necks and burn people alive are all too common to be missed by anyone that has followed the Boko Haram and ISWAP crisis in Nigeria. 

This is not to talk of attacks on Nigerian troops using soft targets and the planting of landmines on major roads.

Today as we speak, many of our fighting men and women have been dispatched to the great beyond through the needless and meaningless assaults of these bloodsuckers while many of our military men and women have lost dear limbs while some are receiving treatment at various military hospitals in the country.

Many of our women have overnight become widows while the dream of promising young men and women have been cut short by these bloodsuckers.

But the almighty ICC and Amnesty International do not seem to see all these.

THEIR WICKED ACTS AGAINST NIGERIA 

Any time the terrorists attack and wreak havoc on either the military or civilian population, the two organisations look the other way and pretend nothing happened.

This has emboldened the criminals to even video their killings and post on social media channels.

But the ICC and AI have never condemned these atrocities nor raise their voices against these inhuman acts.

The moment the Nigerian military infiltrates the ranks of these terrorists and neutralise their members, however, the ICC and the Amnesty International would immediately raise the red flag alleging all manners of human rights abuses which are most times fabricated to suit their aims of perpetrating or sustaining mayhem in Nigeria. 

They at one time accuse the Nigerian of forceful conscription of underaged soldiers which turned out to be false.

Some opposition politicians in Nigeria having noticed the tendency of these organisations to side with the enemies of Nigeria have keyed into the process and have begun to use them to pursue their subversive agenda.

These politicians have, for instance, sponsored protests against the Federal Government based on the belief that these organisations would support them. 

We were not surprised therefore that during the EndSARS protest, people began to defy the laws of the land by attacking innocent citizens and destroying public property without remorse. 

This was because they were misled into believing that once these organisations are behind them, that the government of Nigeria would be blackmailed into not taking any actions against them.

When the Nigerian Government moved to save the lives of innocent citizens and to stop the mayhem, the ICC caused some persons to file petitions to it and quickly opened what it called preliminary findings against the Nigerian military.

There are indications that the ICC is about to release a report to indict Nigeria military chiefs based on these fictitious allegations.

Based on these, we make bold to say that the ICC and Amnesty International are pursuing terrorist agenda in Nigeria and we have no iota of doubt that they are out to destabilize the nation. 

We also have it on good authority that they are currently fabricating more lies, falsehood and mischief to deploy against the military hierarchy in Nigeria just to ensure that Nigerian troops are demoralised and frustrated in the war against insurgency in the Northeast. 

This is also to compel many of our troops to abandon the armed forces and go AWOL for fear of being prosecuted at The Hague so that the terrorists who have been put in check would begin to have a field day.

ICC AND AI, LEAVE US ALONE

We call on the international community to call on the ICC and Amnesty International to leave Nigeria and Nigerians alone. 

What they are doing is tantamount to playing with the lives of about 200 million people and this is unacceptable.

How come it is only Nigeria that the AI and ICC always try to undermine?

Where was the ICC and AI when the Chadian president led his troops to annihilate over a thousand of the Boko Haram terrorists within a week and expelled them from his country?

Many Nigerians are at a loss what the interest of these two organisations are as they always try to find faults with the operations of the Nigerian military even when it has been acknowledged as one of the most professional in the world.

The Nigerian Army has even set up a desk for citizens to report any cases of human right abuse by any of its men or officers just to ensure its men stay in line, yet these organisations are not satisfied.

We don’t want both the ICC and AI on our shores anymore as they have shown that their interests lie with the enemies of Nigeria. 

We, as a people are civilised enough to know what is good for us and we know that our troops are doing well in fighting insurgency, terrorism and banditry. 

They should therefore take their meddlesomeness elsewhere and leave us alone.

Oyo Crisis: Group wants Tinubu arrested over threats to Fulanis

The National Coordinator of Northern Patriots Assembly has called out Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National leader of the All Progressives Party (APC) over the crisis between Yoruba youths and Fulani herdsmen in the Southwest.

Recall that Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, had issued a quit notice to the Hausa-Fulani in Igangan, Oke Ogun area of Oyo State.
The incident allegedly resulted in the destruction of houses and vehicles in the state.
Reacting, the Northern group in a statement signed by Alhaji Salihu Mohammed on Saturday in Abuja, accused Tinubu of being responsible for the crisis between Yoruba youths and Fulani herdsmen in the Southwest.
It also called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest Tinubu and all his cohorts involved in this sacrilegious act against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“All these threats, suspense and deliberate heating of the polity we believe are at the instigation of the so called South West political leader, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu all in the name of politics,” the Northern Patriots Assembly’s statement read in part.
“We cannot but see the hands of the Tinubu in all these because of his inordinate ambition to become the president of Nigeria and his penchant for bellicosity anytime he is targeting a political prize horse.
“Tinubu as we all know is seriously eyeing the presidency come 2023. But as we inch closer to the election year, it is becoming glaring to him that the odds do not favour him.
“Instead of accepting his fate quietly as power does not come from man, Tinubu is trying upset the apple cart by heating up the polity and making the country ungovernable.
“This is with the hope that after he has turned the country upside down, that he will be called to the negotiating to state his demands where he will insist that the presidency be handed over to him or the mayhem continues
“This is self serving and unpatriotic act that should be condemned by all. A country cannot be set ablaze just for the ambition of one man no matter how stupendously rich he thinks he is.
“This is not the first time Tinubu would be involved in subversive activities against the Nigerian Stste due to his inordinate ambition.
“You will recall that he tried to betray Abiola by asking the military junta of Abacha to make him governor of Lagos State.
“It was when the latter refused that he intensified activities with NADECO and deceived many that he was fighting for democracy and joined in the call for sanctions against his own country.
“Till date, he is yet to clear himself of the certificate scandal that dogged his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
“In the build up to the 2015 elections, he did not mind the turmoil and acrimony that would have followed once his ambition is met but insisted he be made the running mate to Buhari for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the APC.
“Last year, the former Lagos State Governor was also fingered as one of the sponsors of the EndSars protests which almost destroyed Nigeria.
“Many online media reported at the heat of the protests that Bola Tinubu was sponsoring the #EndSARS protests in the South Western part of the country in order to cripple the country and disrepute the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on the global front.

In“Though Tinubu issued a statement to deny sponsorship of the protests, his reasons were not convincing enough.
“We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to arrest Tinubu and all his cohorts involved in this sacrilegious act against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“No one is in support of act of criminality by bandits, criminals and kidnappers anywhere in the country. But we will also not allow anyone no matter how highly placed to destabilize the nation through the back door.
“We are happy by the steps taken by the Oyo State governor to dissociate from this attempt at genocide.
“Other state governments in the Southwest must do the same and arrest Igboho if he comes into their territory.”

Ebonyi PDP: AESID hails judgment, CP, warns against government intimidation

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has warned the state government to stop intimidating Judges in the cause of their duties, even as it commended the new Commissioner of Police for being professional.

The Ebonyi indigenes said the agents of state government were trying to manipulate the judiciary into causing trouble in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

In a statement released by its President, Amb. Paschal Oluchukwu, on Sunday in Abuja, said the goal is to continue to cause division in the PDP by having the Nwebonyi group parade as a factional State Exco of the PDP through Suit No: HAB/161/2020 with Roy Umahi as the lead counsel to the Plaintiffs.

“We condemn, whole and entire the desperate attempts to use the Judiciary to achieve the threat of being in APC and sponsoring crises and divisions in the PDP.”

While commending the Ebonyi Judiciary for remaining firm as the last hope of the common man, the statement called on the Ebonyi State’s Judiciary to remain steadfast and unwavering.

“Already, we have read in the media through the former Assistant Financial Secretary of the Nwebonyi group who recently dumped the camp, Linus Ogazi how Governor Umahi divided the Excos in order to create a parallel faction of the party.

“AESID is also aware of the threats and intimidations that the young man has been receiving since he made the disclosures and wishes to call on Security agencies to call the Governor, his brothers and the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly who have been dishing out threats to him to order. They should be held responsible for whatever happens to Mr. Ogazi.”

On the activities of the new Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba, the group thanked the police for their professional role in ensuring that those who staged a protest recently at the state High Court were dispelled peacefully.

“We, however wish to counsel the new CP to remain as professional and apolitical as his erstwhile colleague, CP Philip Maku who has been transferred from the state.

“AESID also calls on security agencies and INEC to obey the order of Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1609/2020 restraining David Umahi’s faction of the PDP in Ebonyi State led by the gadfly, Nwebonyi and his cohorts from parading themselves as officers of the Party. They should therefore provide security and accord protection to the Udeogu-led Exco to legitimately takeover the State Secretariat of the Party for the interest of justice, peace and unity of the opposition party.

“AESID lastly commends the Udeogu-led Excos and indeed, the teeming members of PDP for their calmness, steadfastness and resoluteness amidst attacks and wanton provocations by Governor Umahi and his surrogates. For in the end, it shall indeed, be proven to all that Ebonyi is PDP and PDP is Ebonyi State and Umahi is only a solo naked dance in his new political voyage!”

Group asks FG, African nations to sanction Trump, others

Nigeria and other African nations have been urged to impose sanctions on immediate past U.S President, Donald Trump and top officials of his administration over worsened diplomatic relationship between the United States and the continent. 

According to civil society group, All Lives Matter in Nigeria (ALMN) at a world press conference on Sunday in Abuja, this is necessary to send a strong signal to other world leaders insincere in their dealings on issues that affect Africa. 

Recall that China, on Wednesday, slapped sanctions on 28 former Trump administration officials including his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

In his address, Comrade Bonaventure Maduka Director, Public Enlightenment, said Trump was insincere with Africa and most of his policies were targeted at Nigeria and against the country’s socio-economic growth.

Maduka revealed that the imposition of a travel ban on Nigerians and blacklist for alleged religious freedom violation is a clear example of his anti-Nigeria policies. 

The All Lives Matter in Nigeria, therefore, called om Nigerian authorities to issue an executive order imposing travel bans and business restrictions on some of Trump’s top allies.

The group noted that the U.S instead of extending support to Nigeria in the war against terrorism and other militancy acts, the past administration propagated a narrative that almost sparked an ethnoreligious crisis in the country. 

The All Lives Movement in Nigeria, however, charged all African nations to be united against Trump in protest of his egregious policies that stifled socio-economic growth and development in the continent. 

While welcoming the travel ban reversal by Joe Biden, the group hoped that this would trigger a diplomatic turnaround in the relationship between Nigeria and the United States. 

It added that it expects Biden to give Nigeria its pride of place amongst the comity of nations and upturn the obnoxious policies of the Trump administration.  

Read the full statement below:

The All Lives Matter in Nigeria Movement welcomes you all to this press conference in the light of the happenings in the United States of America and indeed worldwide. 

Cognizant of Joseph Biden’s swearing-in as the 46th President of the United States of America, the outgone administration of Donald Trump has continued to generate controversies around the world for conducts that undermines democracy. 

The Capitol’s invasion by supporters of Donald Trump gives a clear picture of the personality of Donald Trump and his level of sincerity and commitment to the entrenchment of democracy, not just in the United States of America but all around the world.   

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the administration of Donald Trump was very hostile to Nigeria in ways too numerous to mention. One of such is the imposition of travel ban which affected families of Nigerians living in the United States of America. 

Former President Donald Trump also attempted to ignite a religious war in Nigeria by alleging Christians’ persecution by the government in Nigeria.

While this was regarded as a most despicable act by the President of the United States of America, he labelled Nigeria and other African countries as shithole countries. 

All Lives Matter in Nigeria Movement is of the considered opinion that Donald Trump’s administration was by every inch of imagination against the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria. 

Therefore, we are constrained to demand that the Nigerian government imposes sanctions on Donald Trump and members of his administrations whose actions and inactions harmed Nigeria. This is indeed necessary to send a strong signal to other world leaders insincere in their dealings on issues that affect the African continent. 

The All Lives Matter in Nigeria Movement would be releasing a report on the many atrocities of the Donald Trump administration on Nigeria in the past four years. We shall also be demanding punitive actions against Donald Trump and his associates to ensure that they do not have any business dealings in Nigeria and on the African continent. 

We are also using this medium to call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria, as well as his counterpart in the Ministry of Justice to issue an executive order imposing travel bans and business restrictions on Trump’s secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, national security adviser Robert O’Brien and U.N. ambassador, Kelly Craft, and former national security adviser John Bolton and strategist Stephen Bannon. 

The urgency of now requires that this action is taken against the individuals mentioned above who were advisers and confidants of Donald Trump during his reign as President of the United States of America. 

These individuals, alongside Donald Trump, did insult our sensibilities. Their tactic refusal to extend support to Nigeria in the war against terrorism and other militancy acts. Instead, they propagated a narrative that almost sparked aethnoreligiousus crisis in the country. 

The All Lives Matter Movement in Nigeria uses this medium to encourage other African countries to impose travel bans and business restrictions on Donald Trump and his top advisers since in their estimation and wisdom; Africa is a continent of shithole countries. 

It is our considered opinion that the African continent stays united in this front. It is on record that the Donald Trump administration was very uncommitted towards the growth and development of countries in the African continent. Their disdain for Africa was legendary. This was responsible for the egregious policies that stifled socio-economic growth and development in the African continent. 

It is our firm belief that the new administration in the United States of America would give Nigeria its pride of place amongst the comity of nations and upturn the obnoxious policies of the Donald Trump administration. 

While we commend President Joe Biden for taking the bold step of reversing the travel ban imposed by Donald Trump on Nigeria and other countries, we also hope that this step would indicate the future of what to expect in the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States of America. 

We hope that the government of Nigeria acts in the overall interest of the people of Nigeria that were disdainfully treated by Donald Trump while he was President of the United States of America. 

We thank you for your keen attention and time.