Nnamdi Kanu Should Be Treated Like A Terrorist ” – UK Based Security Expert Says
UK based security expert, Abayomi Mumuni says Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), should be treated like a terrorist. According to him, ‘I did mention this few months ago. I warned against provocative utterances during the IPOB clash with the Arewa Youths, but the Igbo leaders refused to adhere to my warning.
They maintained criminal silence. Mr President has given enough room for both Governors and the elders of the affected states to call the agitators to order but they failed to do so, simply because they are cowards. Many of them are also corrupt elements without self-pride’.
He went on to say, ‘so, why blame the Federal Government for deploying the Nigerian Army to Aba and Umuahia when the State Governor allows the criminals to take laws into their hands?’.
‘The Operation Python Dance II has no negative implication. I do not see any negative consequence to calling the military to take charge.
The act needed a drastic approach to avert reoccurrences, like guerrilla warfare. Currently, Boko Haram has been dragged to a buffer zone where they operate in isolation, and Nigerians should not allow another terrorist group to spring up from nowhere.
They should be crippled immediately. It is my belief that military intervention will bring normalcy to the affected regions. The Federal Government, the South East Governors and the elders of the region should thereafter engage in peaceful dialogue to bring lasting peace to the region’ he concluded.
Biafra Crisis Escalates to 4 States
Tension and pandemonium mount in four different states in different parts on Thursday evening as struggle by the Indigenous People Of Biafra escalated beyond Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
Abia
Trouble was said to have started when some members of IPOB who left Aba in the morning for Umuahia in solidarity for their leader, Mazi Nnamdi kanu over the invasion of his house at Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, were alleged to have been stopped by soldiers at Isiala Ngwa junction along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Express were manhandled, some of them being forced to roll inside muddy water.
The IPOB members, who escaped the soldiers’ wrath at Isiala Ngwa junction, were said to have met another set of soldiers at Osisioma junction some kilometers away from the heart of the commercial town which led to a face off.
The army operation python dance is to curb kidnapping, violent agitation and others in the southeast for one month.
Police station affected and the former Commissioner of police attacked.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government thursday warned that anyone planning to foment trouble would be dealt with by security agencies.
The warning is against the backdrop of alleged attacks on Hausa community in Umuahia, Abia State, by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.
For fear of the unknown, some Igbo traders did not open their shops until around 10: 00 and 11a.m.
Plateau
Rumours that the Hausa community in Jos, Plateau State, were planning a reprisal against Nigerians of South-eastern origin led to serious tension in the city and nearly crippled commercial activities throughout Thursday.
Refusing to take any chances, the situation compelled Simon Lalong, the state governor, to impose an indefinite dusk to dawn curfew on the Jos/Bukuru metropolis.
Shops owned by Igbos in the city centre were kept locked in the morning hours Thursday for fear that they might be attacked and looted by hoodlums.
The government confirmed two died as a result of the tension.
Rivers
Some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Hausa community in Oyigbo, a local area in Rivers State were on Monday engaged in a communal clash.
Oyigbo is a border town between Rivers and Abia state and the communal clash was said to have lead to an unconfirmed number of casualties recorded and properties destroyed.
A Police was killed and several others injured.
Abia Crisis: Amnesty International Reacts To Nigerian Army Invasion
Amnesty International (AI) has said that it is investigating the clash between the Nigerian Army and the members of the Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in Umuahia, Abia state.
AI, in a statement on Friday by its Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said it was deeply concerned with the reports of cases of violence and illegal loss of lives following the clashes, cautioning the Nigerian army on the use of force on what it called unarmed civilians.
Amnesty International recalled that in November 2016, it “published details of an investigation discovering mass extrajudicial executions and other serious violations by the Nigerian security forces during peaceful demonstrations by Biafran activists and other gatherings”.
AI said with the recent reports of rights abuses in Abia, it was calling for the prioritization of the protection of the lives of the people by the Nigerian government.
It further noted that the Nigerian authorities should rein in on the security forces and ensure accountability after reports of violence.
“We are deeply concerned by reports of violence and alleged loss of lives across Nigeria following clashes between the Nigerian military and supporters of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Umuahia, Abia state.
“We are calling on the authorities to ensure the security forces prioritize the protection of people and avoid excessive force.
“We are investigating all allegations of human rights violations and urge the authorities to investigate and quickly bring those suspected of unlawful killings and other serious violations to justice,” Ojigho said.
Biafra: Obasanjo Advises Buhari On How To Handle Nnamdi Kanu
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said President Muhammadu Buhari must meet with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, before the ongoing crisis gets out of hand.
Talking to Newsweek, Obasanjo, who as president met with Niger Delta militant leaders in 2006 to stop attacks on oil installations, said: “I don’t see anything wrong in that [Buhari meeting with Kanu]. I would not object to that; if anything, I would encourage it.
“I would want to meet Kanu myself and talk to people like him, people of his age, [and ask:] ‘What are your worries?’ Not only from the southeast but from all parts of Nigeria.”
He said the Army’s “heavy boot” response to pro-Biafra sentiment is “not the solution” and added that the secession craved by IPOB, is not the way forward either.
“We need to satisfy the youth in job creation, in wealth creation, in giving them a better, fulfilled life, in giving them hope for the future. There’s no easy way out,” Obasanjo added.
Biafra: US Finally Reacts To Ongoing Tensions In Nigeria
The United States Diplomatic Mission has broken silence on growing tension in the country.
In a tweet on Friday, the United States Mission to Nigeria said that it is joining well-meaning Nigerians to sue for peace, calling for an end to violence in the country.
“ The U.S. Mission to Nigeria joins the calls of Nigerian leaders and citizens across the country for an end to violence.#OutofManyOne ,” the Tweet reads.
The call by the U.S. Mission came the same day South East governors held a meeting in Enugu to address issues of security in the zone, especially the recent clash between members of IPOB and the military in Abia state.
The military had earlier started an operation code-named Operation Python Dance in the South East with the aim of ridding the region of criminals and other activities threatening the security of the area.
This has led to an altercation among many with fear of communal clashes. State Governors including Simon Lalong of Plateau, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, among others have assured residents of peace in order to douse the tension.
Weaken Nnamdi Kanu And IPOB Before I Return: Buhari Orders Nigerian Army
President Muhammadu Buhari was said to have issued a matching order to the Nigerian military
to weaken Nnamdi Kanu and his group, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) before he returns from the trip he is set to embark on Sunday.
Buhari will attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72).
He will join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and also hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe.
The Nigerian leader is billed to have a a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States of America, along with other world leaders.
The president, angered by the audacity of IPOB in declaring that they were ready to fight Nigerians ordered the military to move in and quell their violent clamour.
”Buhari will never negotiate the unity of Nigeria and I can tell you that the declaration by the military that IPOB are enemies of the state is the outcome of the go-ahead by the president.”
“Rules of engagement will be respected but force will be applied where necessary. My advice is for the agitators to clam down and use wisdom,” a reliable source told DAILY POST.
The Nigerian military in a statement by Major General, John Enenche, Director Defence Information, declared IPOB a terrorist organisation.
South-East Governors Ban IPOB Activities
South-east governors rose from an emergency meeting in Enugu on Friday and announced a ban on all the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in their geo-political zone.
The defence headquarters had declared IPOB “a militant terror group” earlier on Friday.
TheCable understands that the governors were acting on a presidential directive as a pre-condition to reduce military presence in the region.
There were hot arguments at the meeting over the appropriateness of the governors succumbing to a directive from Abuja, insiders informed TheCable.
The governors had been accused of tacitly supporting IPOB.
The launch of Operation Python Dance II has raised tension in the south-east, leading to reported deaths in Aba, Abia state, and disruption to economic activities.
In the communique, shared with TheCable, the governors asked the leadership of IPOB and all other aggrieved groups to make their positions on all national issues and submit to the committee of governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo, and the members of the national assembly from the zone through the chairman of the south-east governors forum.
Legal experts told TheCable that the proscription may just be an academic exercise.
“IPOB is not a registered organisation, has no legal basis for existence and cannot be logically proscribed. You can only proscribe what operates legally,” a senior advocate of Nigeria told TheCable.
THE COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUÉ ARISING FROM THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS AT THE EXCO CHAMBERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ENUGU, ON FRIDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2017
In view of the prevailing security situation in the South East and its attendant consequences, the South East Governors hereby resolve as follows:
1. All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all National issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members from the South East Zone, through the Chairman, South East Governors Forum.
2. All Governors of South East Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective State.
3. South East Governors Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
4. We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all National issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.
5. We reiterate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017 Governorship election in Anambra State must hold.
6. Accordingly, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to please, withdraw the Military in the South East Zone, while Police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.
7. South East Governors have taken concrete steps to protect lives and property of indigenes and non-indigenes in the South East.
8. We are in touch with the Northern Governors Forum, they have assured us of the safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits between the Governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect.
9. In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South East Zone within this period. The Governors and the Security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.
10. We advise all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as Government of each State is committed to protecting everyboby.
11. Finally, we advise our people in the South East to please be Law abiding.
Engr. Nweze Dave Umahi, FNSE, FNATE
Governor of Ebonyi State/
Chairman, South East Governors Forum
Dead IPOB Members In Umuahia Carried Away In A Keke Napep In Abia
Here are some of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB who were allegedly killed after a combined team of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the DSS invaded the home of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu yesterday in Umuahia, Abia state.
According to reports, the security operatives killed many of the IPOB members who have been staying with their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and carried away the dead bodies.
Nnamdi Kanu Petitions UN, EU, US, UK, Russia, Israel, Over Military Operation
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has petitioned the European Union on the ongoing military operation in south east region of Nigeria.
The IPOB leader in the petitioned dated September 14, accused the Nigerian military of intimidation, torture, arrest, abduction and killing of civilian populace in the southeast.
The letter written by the counsel to the IPOB leader, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, was addressed to the secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the European Union High Commission, the presidents of United States of America, Russia and Israel.
Other countries include; the United Kingdom and France.
Kanu in his letter called for the immediate intervention of the UN, the EU, the US and these other countries on the invasion of the military in the region.
He urged the comity of nations to prevail on the Nigerian government to suspend further military action in the south eastern states of the country and withdraw ‘the rampaging troops’ from the region.
The letter reads: “Unarmed civilians largely made up members of the Indigenous People of Biafra are now being tortured and murdered in cold blood on a daily basis.”
Also attaching video and photographs of victims of the alleged attack, Kanu said the hostility against the IPOB members has escalated to other neigbouring states resulting in bloody casualties.
He said: “We have no doubt that the undisclosed reason for deploying troops to south eastern states by the President Buhari-led administration is to attack unarmed and defencesless members of the Indigenous People of Biafra who are merely exercising their constitutional guaranteed rights to self-determination.”
He added that while innocent bloood are being wasted in the region, the 1999 Constitution as amended did not allow the deployment of soldiers in the region in a manner presently done by the federal government.
Kanu noted that without the intervention of the comity of nations, the killings and torture would continue.
“The situation in the south east of Nigeria is serious and demand your urgent action Sir.
“The modus operandi of the Operation Python Dance II presently adopted by the military deployed in the south east offends all known rules of professional engagement even in a war zone,” Kanu added.
Nigerian Army Declares IPOB As A “Militant Terrorist Organisation”
Nigerian Army Declares IPOB As A “Militant Terrorist Organisation”
The Nigerian military has declared the pro-Biafra separatist group , IPOB, a “terrorist organisation.”
The military made the declaration in a statement on Friday by the Director of Defence Information, John Enenche.
Clashes between soldiers on a military operation and IPOB members in Abia State have left several people wounded. Although there have been reports of deaths particularly of IPOB members, none has been confirmed.
IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu are campaigning for an independent country of Biafra made up of ethnic Igbos. Although they had said their campaign was non-violent, Mr. Kanu said this week that that stance would be reviewed, accusing the military of attacking unharmed members of his organisation.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported how the police in Abia State blamed IPOB for the burning of a police station in Aba, where a dusk to dawn curfew has since been imposed.
In his statement, Mr. Enenche, a major general, listed five reasons the military considered for labelling IPOB a terror group.
These include “The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads; extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks, and militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.”
Read the military’s full statement below.
PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE STATE OF INDEPENDENT PEOPLE OF BIAFRA
1. The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group which has posed to be a security challenge in the Country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient, to notify the general public that; the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non-violent is not true. Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB. In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the general public among others include;
a. The formation of a Biafra Secret Service.
b. Claimed formation of Biafra National Guard.
c. Unauthorised blocking of public access roads.
d. Extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.
e. Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.
f. Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles.
g. Attack by IPOB members, on a military check point on 12 September 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.
3. From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group.
4. The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property.
Credit : premium Times
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