Security
Insecurity: Ebonyi community applauds Gov. Nwifuru for restoring peace in Edda
By, Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The people of Umunnato community in Owutu Autonomous Community in Edda Local government area of Ebonyi State have commended the Governor Francis Nwifuru for his efforts at restoring peace and security to the local government area.
They stated this in an address at the Thanksgiving ceremony of their son, Ogbonnaya Ude Nkama who was appointed as a Member of the Management Committee in the council.
The community noted that before the coming of the Nwifuru administration, Edda was becoming notorious for various acts of violence and insecurity leading to killing and maiming of some innocent residents.
“But now we can sleep with our two eyes closed. Our sons and daughters who have, out of fear, refused to come back home now regularly visit to celebrate and be with us”, they said.
They noted that the appointment of an Edda son, Okenwa Ụkah as the Special Assistant on Security to the governor for Ebonyi South zone the community has become relatively peaceful.
While commending the governor for the appointment of Mr Nkama Ude, the people urged the governor to also look into some areas of need in the community which include: electricity,job creation, functional secondary school amongst others.
The celebrant, Mr Nkama Ude who distributed wrappers and other items to the women at the event pledged to work with government at all levels to bring more development to the people.
Also speaking, the SA on Security, Ebonyi South Zone, Mr Okenwa Ụka noted that the community has become too large and deserves to be made an autonomous community.
He pledged to join hands with other leaders to make case for the creation of an additional autonomous community in the area.
He used the opportunity to donate two motorcycles to two members of the community whose motorcycles were recently confiscated by a high ranking local government official.
He urged the people to continue supporting the government of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Security
‘I did not attack Cocoa plantation worker with thugs as Alleged– Asu
From, Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer CEO of Two Ends Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Njor Asu, has refuted allegation of taking part in the purported attack of workers of a rival cocoa farmer, Mr. Mark Prince, who accused him last week of attacking his workers with thugs at Abonita cocoa estate in cross river.
Njor made the refutal while answering questions from Journalists Thursday in Càlabar, stressing that the baseless allegation was orchestrated to tarnish the good reputation which he worked tirelessly to end.
“How could I have attacked Mark Prince’s workers, am i a spirit, to be in Calabar and at Abonita Cocoa farm on the same day when he said the attack took place at Abonita Cocoa plantation in Etung local government area of Cross River State same day.
“I was in Calabar, on September 30, and October 4, 2024, in preparation for a court session that took place in October 2, 2024, by the publications which Mark Prince used to drag my name to the mud, that incident happened on October 2, this year, it means i was at Odukpani and at the same time at Abonita cocoa plantation to attack Mark Prince’s work.
“I don’t understand if I had become a spirit to be in two different locations that are beyond 200 km at the same time. Calabar to Ikom local government area is about 217kmts.
“It takes approximately about 3hrs and 9minutes or even beyond that to drive from Calabar to Ikom and another 7km to Agbokim where we have the Abonita cocoa farm that had been in contention between Mark Prince and
Mr. Asu Njor”.
“You can see that it is a cooked story. Mark Prince’s lawyer, the government lawyer and Mba Ukweni (SAN) who were in court on the day of the purported incident can attest to the fact that on October 2, we came back to Ikom on October 4, I would be grateful if this allegation is investigated”.
“Ask those who are from Etung local government about my character to know if I am that kind of person. I’ m not.a violent person but a peaceful person. I see the allegations as a calculated attempt to cause disaffection. I lower my reputation in the eyes of right thinking individuals and cause people to shun and avoid me. This is a lie from the it of hell.
“For my native name and name of my company to be mentioned in the allegation, it shows that they had a plan to lie against me,” he maintained.
Security
Don’t be recruited into Nigerian Army or perish – IPOB warns Igbo youths
By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha
The Directorate of State (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), weekend, warned Igbos not to be recruited into the Nigerian Army or lose their lives.
The directorate handed down the warning through her spokesperson, Emma Powerful, recalling that the Igbo youths obeyed the warning by IPOB during the Commonwealth military recruitment for the British proxy war against Russia and China.
“We are equally advising Biafran youths to jettison the ongoing nepotistic Nigerian Army recruitment. These two states (Britain and Nigeria) do not mean well for Biafrans. History always repeats itself. A wise person will evaluate the benefits of our Biafran ancestors who fought for Britain during the 1st and 2nd world war.
“Similarly, Biafrans should ask what the fate of the retired soldiers in Nigeria is? Where are the many Igbo Biafran youths recruited into the Nigerian Army before now? Many of these Biafran soldiers have been betrayed and sacrificed for the Northern terrorism activities and blackmail business of the Nigerian Army.
“Some of the serving Biafran soldiers are in jail for complaining against nepotism and injustice by the Nigerian Army authorities. The few remaining ones are either in the warfronts against the terrorists in the North or are stampeded into silence in various military barracks. Ndigbo in the Nigerian Army iare always set up for slaughter against the terrorists in the North or against the State sponsored criminals in the East.
“For instance, the false flag operation carried out by the Nigerian Army during the Biafran Heroes Day celebration of May 30th 2024 led to the assassination of five (5) Igbo soldiers. These Igbo soldiers were set up by the military high command and killed by the State sponsored assailants just to blackmail IPOB. Is this the kind of military you want to lay down your life for?
“IPOB understands Nigeria very well and will always advise our people ahead of time before Biafrans fall into Nigeria’s deceptive trap. IPOB is against Biafrans, particularly Ndigbo, joining the Nigerian Army because the Nigerian Army has no good intentions towards Ndigbo. It will be deadly to join an institution with one of its core objectives being to kill and destroy Ndigbo.
“Ndigbo is not part of Nigeria. Biafra is not Nigeria. If you don’t understand Nigeria’s hatred towards you today, we are sure that you will understand it tomorrow. Any Biafran youth out of desperation for employment who joins the Nigerian Army because of their recruitment will be solely responsible for whatever happens to him or herself. IPOB will not talk about you when Nigeria Army’s wickedness happens to you.
“One of the IPOB’s jobs is to educate Biafrans to understand the level of hatred against them and to help expose the evil strategies the Nigerian Security Agencies use against us. One of those evil strategies is the recruitment of Biafran youths into the Nigerian Army and send them to the slaughter houses of the Northern terrorists while leaving Biafra land defenseless when they sponsor and deploy terrorists and launch them as part of their planned jihad conquest against Biafra Land.
“The Nigerian government and its Army deviced many ways to slaughter Ndigbo, especially Biafran youths. Now, they have come another way to bring Igbo youths close in order to murder them and decrease our population.
“Let him who has ears hear and let the fools keep fooling themselves until Nigeria happens to them. Avoid the Nigerian Army recruitment or perish in your ignorance. In the end, Biafra must be restored,” the movement warned.
Security
IPOB reaffirms ban on celebration of Nigerian Independence in Biafran land
By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha
The Directorate of State (DOS), of Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Monday warned that the ban on celebration of Nigerian Independence anniversary is still in force in Biafran land adding that such celebration wil not be tolerated.
The spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerfull, however called on Biafrans globally to go about their normal business stating that as a non violent movement, “We are not part of Nigeria and have nothing to do with their British flag independence of 1960.
” We are aware that some prominent Igbo men and women played pivotal roles in securing the flag independence that Nigeria celebrates annually on every October 1st, however, such independence has taken more blood of Ndigbo to maintain than any other ethnic group in Nigeria.
“Biafrans have decided to reject the bloody flag independence of Nigeria and work for the restoration of a true united and prosperous Independent State of Biafra. Therefore, every Biafran should reject this Nigerian forced unity as we look forward to celebrating the Biafra independence soon.
“Ndigbo must adhere to this clarion call to stop every activity concerning Nigeria independence tomorrow. There shall be no flying of Nigerian flags in Biafra territory.
“There shall be no independence activity for students in Biafraland. Everyone should go about their businesses or use that Day for family quality time and rest at home for those who may chose not to go for their work and business.
“IPOB is not joking with the restoration of Biafra freedom and sovereignty. Do not make yourself an enemy of the struggle by participating in Nigeria flag independence celebrations tomorrow.
“Parents and guardians must not allow their children to go for any Nigerian independence activities tomorrow.
“We are monitoring everywhere in Biafraland. As an Igbo Parent, do not allow your children to be sacrificed for a country that considers them less of a human,” the movement warned.
Security
NGO partners NCDC to restore peace, order in Adamawa
From Yagana Ali Yola
A non governmental organization on the platform of Search for common ground in collaboration with the Nigeria security and civil defense Corp, NSCDC, has celebrated the international peace day in Yola with the aim of restoring relative peace and order in the state.
The Nations News Nigeria reports that the group in collaboration with NSCDC embarked on a peace walk and seminar to commemorate the day with a theme ‘cultivating a culture of peace’.
Gambo Wada, COMITAS Project Manager who spoke to newsmen in the state pointed out that peace can be nurtured and cultivated, and however called on the good people of the state to cultivate the culture of peaceful coexistence.
Highlighting the achievement of the project, Gombo said they have worked in about 33 communities in Adamawa and Taraba and come up with dialogue to mitigate conflicts among different ethnic groups in the state .
Given the instance of farmer header clash in Numan and Guyuk LGA of Adamawa state .
He also noted that mediator tents shall be put in place for relevant dialogue to be imbibed.
He further called on stakeholders to sustain what they put in place as the project end December
While presenting a paper at the seminar a university don Dr John ngamsa said that peacebuilding is key and it’s everyone’s responsibility to build a peaceful environment.
Also at occasions the collaborator NSCDC, ACC Charity A Fwah, Head of Unit for peace and conflict unit said, NSCDC played a vital role to ensure peaceful coexistence between families, communal, farmers and headers crisis.
According to her, the NSCDC is the closest force to the community and has done well in collaboration with SFCG.
Security
All Anglican church women’s wing donates gifts items to inmates in Kano correctional centre
By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu
The All Anglican Church, Osumenyi women’s wing, Kano State branch has donated gift items to Inmates of Goron Dutse Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The Osumenyi women of the Anglican Communion in Kano, who paid a visit to the custodial centre with food items, toiletries, clothing, buckets, and various types of seasons, said that their visit was to support the inmates and to promote their welfare.
Presenting the items on Saturday, the Chairperson of the wing, Mrs Edna Ezike, said the gesture was their little way of supporting the inmates in the facility.
Ezike urged inmates at the centre to see their incarceration as an opportunity for self-reflection and change, hence be good ambassadors when they come out of prison.
She urged the inmates not to go back to their old ways and imbibe the fear of God in their heart, take advantage of the rehabilitation and reintegration programmes in the centre to enable them acquire life-changing skills and behaviours.
“Endeavour to utilise the skills available at the centre, we want to assure you that we are interested in your wellbeing. These items are donated to help in improving your living conditions,”she said.
Ezike said that the Osumenyi women’s wing of the All Anglican church, Kano branch had been visiting prisons for the last three years to encourage and support them in their little ways they can and give them advice.
The chairperson called on parents, guardians and the general public to train their wards in the way of the Lord, rather than misleading them.
She said that prison was not a good place to be, especially when it involves the issue of youths, being future leaders and backbones to their various families.
She called on philanthropists to endeavour to visit the inmates, support and make provisions for them with necessary things to make them feel loved.
Receiving the items on behalf of the management, a staff of the Correctional Centre, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the gesture as timely and well-intended.
“This gesture is well appreciated by us, these items will greatly support the welfare of the inmates in this facility. We thank you immensely.”