Crime Facts

Sit-at-home: Suspected IPOB members burn vehicle, scare residents in Anambra

There was pandemonium on Monday in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area and Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State following heavy shootings by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Residents of the area scampered for safety as the gunmen, purportedly enforcing the Monday sit-at-home, shot sporadically within the boundary of both communities. The Nation gathered the gunmen set ablaze a Toyota Sienna vehicle belonging to an unidentified indigene of Isuofia, a neighbouring community to Ekwulobia. A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, said: “The man was driving past the area when the men started shooting. He suddenly jumped out and fled, abandoning the car in the middle of the road. “Unfortunately, before he could return, his car was already in flames.” Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, had deployed men to the area. He said: “The Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng has since ordered reinforcement teams from the command headquarters to intensify patrols around major areas like Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Aguata, Awka and other environs in the State. “The reinforcement teams comprise Police Mobile Operatives, Counter-Terrorist Units, Special Forces and other tactical teams. They are to address any security concern that may arise and to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the State.” Editor’s note: This is photo is for illustrative purpose

Ban: Igbos will replace beef with goat, poultry, fish farming, says IPOB

THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday, advised people of the South-East to seek alternative means of protein ahead of its ban on beef from Fulani cattle, which will take effect from April. IPOB gave the advice in a statement explaining its ban on beef from cattle brought by “terrorist Fulani-killers masquerading as herdsmen.” In the statement, on Monday, IPOB explained that its proposed ban, in April, on beef in the South-East is not a declaration of war against the North, but rather a necessary step to stop unprovoked attacks by killer-herdsmen in the region. IPOB made the explanation in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful entitled “Ban on cow meat in Biafra land, is no declaration of war against the North, but a necessary step to stop unprovoked attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Biafra land”. The pro-Biafran group said it did not ban the eating of beef in South-East, but herdsmen bringing cow that destroys farms, rape and kill women and girls. IPOB, however, noted that it was not threatened by the “rantings of a group of bigots who called for the boycott of all Igbo products in the North.” They said the bigots’ action had further confirmed the belief that the atrocities of terrorist and rapists herdsmen in Biafra and other parts of Nigeria is a common agenda of the North. ‘Farm chicken, goat, fish’ While advising people from the region to be prepared for the ban, IPOB urged them to turn to poultry, goats and fish for protein. IPOB urged them to turn to poultry, goats and fish for protein. IPOB said: “We want to encourage our people to be prepared for what is to come. Nobody should be taken unawares. “Enough is enough! IPOB is ready to enforce this ban on people bringing cow meat. “There are other alternatives to animal protein. We encourage our people to go into poultry farming, goat rearing and fish production. “Nobody should dare violate this ban when it takes effect in April, as doing so amounts to testing the will of the people.” IPOB’s statement read in part, “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the latest ranting by a Fulani group of bigots against IPOB members and ESN operatives, including the entire people of Biafra living in the North. “These irritants have called for the boycott of all Igbo products in the North as a retaliation for the proposed ban on those terrorist bringing cow meat in Biafra land with effect from April.” leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the latest ranting by a Fulani group of bigots against IPOB members and ESN operatives, including the entire people of Biafra living in the North. “These irritants have called for the boycott of all Igbo products in the North as a retaliation for the proposed ban on those terrorist bringing cow meat in Biafra land with effect from April.” ‘What we banned’ The group stressed that “We did not ban cow meat but those bringing cows that were destroying our farms, those raping our mothers, wives and sisters in the farms. “Biafrans can eat foreign beef, not the ones that can bring Fulani terrorists into our territories. “This threat by these misguided northern groups who called themselves Northern Coalition Group, has further confirmed the belief that the atrocities of Fulani rapists herdsmen in Biafra and other parts of Nigeria is a common agenda of the North. “Particularly the Fulani and their terrorists disguised as herdsmen and cattle rearers in all parts of Nigeria and Biafra. “How come these hypocrites never threatened Fulani herdsmen as they invade communites and kill farmers in Biafra land without any provocation? “Now that we have decided to boycott and ban cow meat brought by these terrorists-herdsmen, and instruct our people not to eat beef, Fulani are threatening us with war because they think we are vulnerable and weak to kill at random. “We want to tell them that we are doing this so that we can have peace in our communities. “The real sponsors of the ongoing genocide and numerous deaths in our land have surfaced. “However, we are waiting for Fulani-terrorists to carry out their threat against Igbo traders and business interests in the North come April when the ban will take effect. “They should remember and understand that the era of intimidation of Igbo people in Nigeria has gone. “Nobody has the monopoly of anything anymore against our people; if they do they will regret their actions because days have gone for that rubbish.”

Former Imo Speaker, 4 Others Kidnapped By Gunmen

Rt. Hon. Lawman Duruji, former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly has been kidnapped by gunmen. They also seized the wife of Frank Onwumere, an erstwhile Chairman of Okigwe Local Government Area of the state. While Onwumere’s wife was said to have been kidnapped on Sunday, a source said Duruji was abducted on Saturday while returning from a function. Also kidnapped is a businessman in Owerri, popularly known as Ezzybee. It was gathered that Ezzybee was abducted while going to watch a football match. The gunmen were also said to have seized an unidentified persons at Okwelle junction in Onuimo Local Government Area, Amaraku in Isiala Mbano L.G.A, as well as Ubomiri in Mbaitoli council area of the state. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Micheal Abattam, said the command was on the trail of the kidnappers. He disclosed that the person who was kidnapped at Ubomiri had been rescued by the police. VANGUARD

BREAKING: Buhari meets Tinubu in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting, which agenda could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, is believed to be a courtesy one. The meeting is coming on the heels of fresh disagreements among leaders of the ruling party threatening the conduct of the long-awaited National Convention. Tinubu is believed to be a front-runner in the race for the party’s presidential ticket. Details shortly…

How False Alarm Caused Serious Panic In Enugu Metropolis

Contrary to the reports that there were sporadic gunshots in major cities of Enugu, JOURNALIST101 reports that except the ugly incident at Topland, Amechi Road, there was no shooting anywhere else in the state capital. The reports pandemonium at Nowas, Okpara Avenue, Abakpa Market, GRA, Holyghost, Uwani, Trans Ekulu, etc., as a result of sporadic gunshots is misleading. Our investigation revealed that the confusion was as a result false information and panic. No single person out of the many persons that spoke to our correspondents could confirm any gunshot in those areas but people were afraid. Road traders along Mayor markets and Kenyetta were seen by our correspondent carrying out their commercial activities while security operatives deployed to the area were seen on the major roads. When contacted, the Enugu State Police Command spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe said they’re yet to confirm any shooting in the state capital except the Topland Amechi-Awkunanaw incident. Ndukwe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police in a terse statement said the disturbances were at Umueze and Agbani axis of Nkanu West LGA of the State and the situation has been brought under control. “Following the alleged cases of sporadic shootings at Topland Amechi-Awkunanaw, snatching and burning a of Toyota Sienna vehicle and a tricycle at Umueze and Agbani axis of Nkanu West LGA of the State, by miscreants alleged to be enforcing illegal sit-at-home order, which caused panic within Enugu metropolis in the morning hours of today, 10/01/2022; citizens of Enugu metropolis and the State in general, are hereby assured that the Police, in collaboration with other Security Agencies, has brought the situation under control. “Consequently, law-abiding citizens of the State have been enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment, as Police and other Security Operatives, have been duly deployed to further thwart the untoward activities of the miscreants in the State. “Further development will be communicated, please.” Culled from Journalist101

Obi Cubana to youths: we rise by lifting others

Chairman of Cubana Group Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana has advised youths to make their contributions to lifting the nation. The business mogul, in a lengthy post via his Instagram page, said man’s primary duty is to support one another but people would rather compete than collaborate. According to Obi Cubana, even when you’re being supportive and nice to others but unappreciated, you mustn’t swerve from your purpose as that is what gives one’s life meaning. The socialite implied a tree cannot make a forest adding, we rise by lifting others. He wrote: “Good morning my fellow Nigerian Youths. Today let’s talk about “Lending A Helping Hand”. Ever heard of the saying, “we rise by lifting others?” Advertisement – “Everyone needs help every now and then. And we can only get help through people. “Even when we pray for help, God still uses people to answer that prayer. So you can actually see that we are all connected in this universe. “Our first and primary call is to humanity but sadly, we seem to have lost that. We’d rather compete with each other than support one another. “Be more collaborative than competitive!! Supporting another’s success won’t dampen yours. Lighting another’s candle definitely won’t blow out yours. “Be nice to people. Maybe it’ll be unappreciated, unreciprocated, or simply ignored, it doesn’t matter! “Just spread the love anyways; Preach love! Practice love! Show love! “Do a little something every day to help out either at home, office, or community because it translates into big things. “When you help others, your life starts to have meaning & purpose. Real joy comes not from material possessions but from people. “We were called to be human 1st. So our main priority on earth is to help each other and be our brother’s keeper. Pls be that person that’ll make a difference in someone else’s life. Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours. “At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even accomplished, it’ll be about who you’ve lifted or who you’ve made better. “I charge you this Monday to dare to reach out into the darkness to pull another person into the light. Seek for who you’ll hold their hands for…Together, we rise! “Ubuntu…I am because you are! (in my South African voice).

DSS yet to invite Kukah, says spokesman

The Department of State Service DSS is yet to invite the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, over his recent criticism of President, Muhamamadu Buhari, his spokesman, Revd Christopher Omotosho, has said. Omotosho, who stated this while giving an update on the reported invitation, advised members of the public to ignore the reported invitation. He said, “The news that the Bishop was summoned for questioning by the DSS regarding his Christmas Message cannot be true because the Bishop is yet to receive either call or mail from the DSS.” Social media was saturated over the weekend with stories of the reported summon of Kukah by the DSS, a development that has elicited reactions from Nigerians. The Youth Wing of the Christians Association of Nigeria had earlier threatened to mobilise Christian youths across the nation to accompany the Bishop to the DSS Headquarters in Abuja.

I Have No Regret Supporting Ganduje To Be Governor, Says Kwankwaso

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, says he has no regret supporting Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to succeed him as the Chief Executive of the state. During his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Senator Kwankwaso spoke about his relationship with Governor Ganduje in the past, as well as how they both worked together until 2015. “I have no regret whatsoever because we are still strong, much stronger than 2015. Not only in Kano but across the country and beyond,” he said. Kwankwaso was first elected governor of the north-western state in 1999 and was re-elected in 2011, completing his eight years allowed by the Constitution. When Ganduje became governor, Kwankwaso was a Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District in 2015. Though elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his then deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje, succeeded him in 2015 as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “He (Ganduje) was my deputy from 1999 to 2003 and, of course, my SA when I was the Minister of Defence and thereafter in 2007, I lobbied the then President Yar’Adua and, of course, he got a job in the Chad Republic to be the Executive Secretary of Chad Basin,” the governor said. “He was there when I got a ticket in 2010. I asked him to resign and come back to Nigeria to be my deputy. When I was going, I thought we should have an inclusive government by supporting him to become governor.” Fake News Kwankwaso admitted that the first three years of exiting the Government House were tough because of the actions of his successor, a situation that forced him out of Kano despite being a member of the 9th Senate. Asked if he plans to dump the PDP, the former governor said he has not discussed the possibility of joining the ruling party as his focus was to work with the PDP to win the 2023 general elections. “I have never told anybody that I have decided to go to the APC or any other party for that matter,” he said. “I am in PDP and I have seen so many speculations over a long period, especially from my brothers and sisters in the APC that I am planning to move from the PDP to the APC. “I think it is just fake news, even though it makes me feel very happy. Many people in the APC, those who have worked together with me in that party are sending all these sorts of messages around. “But I am happy to say that we are working very hard to ensure that we have success in the forthcoming elections.”

Akeredolu asks south-west to stop eating beef

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, says the south-west region is losing N2.5 billion daily to the consumption of beef. Beef is meat from cattle. TheCable could not immediately verify the governor’s claim. The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had recently banned the consumption of beef and the keeping of cows in the south-east. Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in the state’s education sector in Akure, Ondo capital city, Akeredolu said people in the south-west should consider using chicken meat for their ceremonies. Represented by Akin Olotu, his special adviser on agriculture, the governor said chicken meat is healthier than beef, and that it will enhance the region’s economy. “The president said grow what you eat and eat what you grow. I have been a serious advocate and I am reemphasising it, please let us use chicken for our ceremonies,” he said. “Yes, I mean broilers. They are cheaper. I met with the traditional rulers and I told them that those before you have to encourage that. “Why am I saying this? There is a N2.5 billion beef market in the southwest every day. It means every day in the southwest, we send “[The sum of] N2.5 billion out of the south-west? That is the bedrock of poverty in the region. “We have a region that is not retaining money. Don’t let any politician tell you any abracadabra, if we don’t reverse that trend, we will continue to remain on the same spot.”