News / politics

Okupe speaks on viral photo of Peter Obi’s ‘son’ in Biafra attire, stepping on Nigerian flag

The Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organiation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has reacted to a photograph circulating on the social media said to be that of the son of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

The reaction of the former presidential spokesman was contained in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle on Sunday.

The photograph shows a young, fair in complexion man wearing a t-shirt with the color of Biafra and stepping on a Nigerian flag.

Those who sent the photograph out said Obi’s alleged son, whose name was not mentioned, was showing the Indigenous People of Biafra “in them….” The write up that came with the photograph said: “This is Peter Obi’s son, the IPOB in them is further confirmed by the clothes he wear and matching on our green white green flag and the same father is campaigning to rule Nigeria?”

Reacting, Okupe tweeted on Sunday: “THIS IS NOT PETER OBI’S SON. NO AMOUNT OF FALSEHOOD WILL DAMPEN THE CURRENT WAVE OF SUPPO FOR PETER OBI.

“See what they’re sharing in the north to scare people from Peter Obi.”…

News / Transportation

Transporters demand palliatives from enforcers of IPOB sit-at-home order

Transporters in Abia State have appealed to the enforcers of the weekly sit-at-home order in the South East to give them palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown on them.

The drivers made the appeal in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria Correspondent in Umuahia.

Speaking in the state capital on Monday, they said the development was making things difficult for them.

They complained that the transport sector was the worst hit by the directive as their vehicles were usually attacked or vandalized, while passengers on the other hand hardly come out of their homes for fear of attacks. NAN reports that residents of the five South East states have been groaning under the frequent order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

The residents have continued to comply with the Monday weekly order in spite of its suspension by IPOB, which directed that it should be observed only on the days its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is to appear in court.

Kanu, who in the custody of the Department of State Services, is being tried for treason and among other charges.

Residents expressed worry that the weekly exercise would cripple the socio-economic activities in the region, known for commerce and trade.

Henry Okezie, Chairman, Abia State Drivers’ Welfare Union, said the exercise had dealt a deadly blow on the transport sector.

Okezie said: “This frequent sit-at-home is really affecting us because we can’t operate if we don’t see passengers.

“Most of our members have their vehicles on hire purchase, which means that we must work every day to meet the target.

“We are appealing to the enforcers of this exercise to give us some palliatives in order to cushion the effect.

“We have over 200 members at this Isigate Park in Umuahia whose buses are operating on Umuahia-Ikwuano and Umuahia-Ubakala routes.

“Each of us make a minimum of N10,000 daily.

“So any day we don’t work, we lose over N2 million on average.”

Okezie said they would continue to comply in fear with the directive because “some of …

Law / News / politics

Trial of Nnamdi Kanu will lead to end of IPOB – Presidency

The Presidency has expressed confidence that the conclusion of the ongoing trial of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will lead to the end of the group.

The Presidency spoke in reaction to an Editorial by The Economist, a London, United Kingdom-based magazine.

The magazine had faulted the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on several fronts, including the war against banditry and insurgency, the economy and handling of the IPOB issue.

Reacting through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency said: “In the South-East, IPOB – which the Economist rightly describes as “delusional” – the arrest and present trial of the terrorist leader of the group is the beginning of its demise. “The President’s administration is redoubling efforts to have IPOB rightfully designated as a terrorist group by our allies outside of Nigeria – an act which will collapse their ability to transact gains from crime and extortion in foreign currencies.

“It is important to remind the Economist and the global media that this group’s aggression and widespread presence on social media does not reflect their public support, for which they have none: all elected governors, all elected politicians and all elected state assemblies in the South-East – which IPOB claim to be part of their fantasy kingdom – reject them completely.”…

Military / News / Security

Movie veteran Chiwetalu Agu reportedly rearrested by DSS

There are reports that Nigerian movie veteran, Chiwetalu Agu has been rearrested by men of the Department of State Service (DSS).

According to one of his colleagues in a post shared via his Facebook page on Friday, October 8, 2021, the actor is now in the custody of the DSS.

“Chiwetalu Agu is still not free. He is with DSS now. Colleagues say they are looking for a top lawyer to bail him,” he wrote.

It would be rehttps://www.facebook.com/Chiagozie.Fred.Nwonwu/posts/10223090818552825called that the movie star was released by the Nigeria Army on Friday afternoon.

The movie veteran was arrested on Thursday, October 7, in Onitsha by men of the Nigerian Army.

The actor was spotted wearing an outfit with the Biafran flag inscribed on it.

The army later released a statement where it revealed that the actor was arrested for inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

…
Entertainment / Military / Movies / News / Security

Nigeria Army explains reason for Chiwetalu Agu’s arrest

The Nigerian Army has given the reason behind the arrest of movie veteran, Chiwetalu Agu. In a statement released on its official Facebook page on Thursday, October 7, 2021, the army said the actor was arrested for inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the Proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“Troops of Nigerian Army(NA) have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB),” part of the statement read.

TROOPS ARREST CHIWETALU AGU WHILE SOLICITING SUPPORT FOR PROSCRIBED IPOB
Troops of Nigerian Army(NA) have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group. Though he attempted puting up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalization.
While the NA recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order. It is therefore pertinent to state that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security.
For the avoidance of doubt and emphasis, the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) remains proscribed . Therefore, any individual or group seen to be projecting and advancing the cause or activities of the group is viewed as brazenly challenging the constitutionality of Federal Republic of Nigeria. More worrisome, was the fact that considering the prevailing security situation of the region, coupled with the ongoing Exercise GOLDEN DAWN , his action could be a tacit endorsement and support for the proscribed group. We have
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Entertainment / News / Security

Movie veteran Chiwetalu Agu brutalised by soldiers for wearing a Biafran flag outfit

Nigerian movie veteran Chiwetalu Agu has been brutalized by men of the Nigeria Army for wearing a Biafran flag outfit.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at the industrious Upper Iweka Road in Onitsha, Anambra state.

In a video that has since gone viral, the actor was seen in his minibus which had the inscription ‘Chinwetalu Films.’

The minibus was then searched by the security operatives before he was manhandled by the soldiers who fired some shots to scare off the crowd which gathered.

The movie veteran is known to be one of the celebrities who have been openly sympathetic towards the agitators for a Biafran nation.

Other celebrities who have at one point or the other supported and called for the release of the leader of one of the movements responsible for the Biafran agitation, Nnamdi Kanu, are Rita Edochie and rapper, Zoro.

…
News / politics / Security

Sit-at-home: Security operatives plan to disguise as ESN — IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra has alleged that security operatives in collaboration with some politicians have perfected plans to disguise as members of the Eastern Security Network to enforce the sit-at-home order it had relaxed.

The spokesman for the group, Emma Powerful, levelled the allegation in a statement on Sunday on the sit-at-home.

Powerful said: “Security agencies have perfected plans to unleash  attacks on innocent people in the name of ESN and IPOB volunteers.

“We have no plans again to enforce any sit-at-home order. “They want to wear jeans trousers and combat knicker jeans and  brand it ESN and IPOB volunteers.

“Our people should resist any attempt by anybody to attack them tomorrow (today).

“Fleet of Hilux vehicles have also been set aside for this assignment.

“Our people need to be cautious.

“We want to put the world, especially residents of Biafra-land that IPOB has since two weeks ago suspended its initially declared Monday sit-at-home order.

“It, therefore, makes no sense that we will at the same time be enforcing the suspended order.

“IPOB restates that there is no longer ghost Mondays in Biafra-land in solidarity with our detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Sit-at-home will only be observed on the days our leader will be making appearances in court. Such days will be well publicized ahead of time.

“Everybody is hereby placed on  alert about this wicked plot.

“IPOB will not tolerate any attack on any Biafran or resident of Biafra under any guise.

“People should be allowed to go about their businesses without any molestation or harassment.

“We are warning politicians and traitors including security agents who have designed to destroy IPOB and tarnish our hard-earned global reputation to retrace their steps.

“Biafrans are free to come out tomorrow and every Monday to do their normal business.

“All market leaders in Biafra-land are advised to comply with this directive and ensure their markets are open for business.”…

News

IPOB threatens monarchs

The Indigenous People of Biafra has threatened to deal with traditional rulers, presidents general and youth leaders of communities who report their subjects to security operatives as members of its Eastern Security Network.

The group issued the threat in a statement made available to newsmen by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Thursday.

It said: “We have got reports of traditional rulers and president generals and youths leaders who terrorize youths in their community by tagging them IPOB members and ESN operatives.

“The only crime of the youths is standing up for their rights and resisting the sale of community land to Fulani herdsmen.

It’s an abomination for a traditional ruler and president general in Biafraland to report youths in his communities to terror-friendly Nigeria Army just because he feels the youths are standing in his way to sell the community’s land to the Fulani herders.

“We, therefore, warn all such treacherous monarchs to retrace their steps or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.

“We want to sound it clear that henceforth, any traditional ruler that reports his subjects to the Nigeria Army or Navy to torture them for opposing their plans to sell community land to Fulani herdsmen shall get ready to answer to our ancestors.

“Such evil traitors are not worthy to live how much more occupy the titleship stool in Biafra land.”

In a particular instance, IPOB gave a seven-day ultimatum to monarchs in Atani and other communities in Ogbaru, Anambra State to facilitate the unconditional release all the youths arrested in the area by the Nigeria Navy.…

Entertainment / News / politics

Rapper Zoro demands the release of pro-Biafran activist Nnamdi Kanu

Kanu is a Nigerian pro-Biafra political activist, who has been under the custody of the Nigerian government for weeks now.

In a post shared via his Instagram on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, the music star demanded that the activist be released.

“There’s a lot I’d love to say, first is I’d love if you listen to your conscience only if it’s well-fed shaa. #freemazinnamdikanu,” he wrote.

First arrested on October 14, 2015, Kanu jumped bail and fled Nigeria in 2017 after the invasion of his home in Abia State, southeastern Nigeria.

…
News

South East Governors will approve Biafra Day – Umahi

Following the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the declaration of the Sovereign State of Biafra, the South East Governors’ Forum Chairman, Dave Umahi, has said May 30 would be set aside as a day to remember millions of Igbo that lost their lives during the civil war.

Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State, who stated this during a television interview on Tuesday, said there was the need to set aside a date to honour the Igbo who died during the three-year war, insisting there was nothing wrong with it.

He said if a proposal to do so comes before the South East Governors, they would give it consideration.

Explaining the reason May 30 should be set aside in Anambra, Abia, Enonyi, Enugu and Imo States as a day to remember the dead, he said if the country can recognise June 12 as Democracy Day to honour M.K.O. Abiola, winner of the 1993 presidential election, there was nothing wrong in setting aside a day to remember five million Igbo, including children who were killed during the war.…