Sen Wamakko, South-East leaders trade words over insecurity

 Former Sokoto governor and Senator representing Sokoto North in the National Assembly, Aliyu Wamakko, and political leaders in the South-East have disagreed over the raging insecurity in the region.

Wamako had, in a statement on Monday, accused the South-East political leaders of complicity in the security situation and challenged them to speak up in condemnation of the violence in the region.

Wamakko also insinuated that the silence of the leaders of the region could be interpreted as subtle support for criminal gangs in the region.

He made reference to an incident which happened last Friday where a trailer conveying cows from the north was burnt down in Awka, Anambra State by angry youths following an accident that left eight children dead.

The accident, according to eyewitnesses, occured when the truck’s brake reportedly failed while descending the Kwata junction slope, knocking down the eight children who were hawking on the street, while also injuring four occupants of two other SUV cars, which were all mangled.

Irate youths in the community who thought the truck and cows belonged to a northerner, quickly mobilised and set the vehicle, including the cows, ablaze.

He also cited the killing of former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmad Gulak who was assassinated in Owerri, Imo State, recently.

“Prior to the assassination of Ahmed Gulak last Sunday in Imo, thousands of our people have suffered a similar fate in the hands of the increasingly emboldened IPOB militants.

“In the past week alone, there have been three incidents of arson and looting against properties belonging to Northern traders travelling in the South-East.

“Last weekend, a truck of onions with about 500 bags of the commodity was ransacked by members of the IPOB in a daylight robbery in Owerri.

“Through all these, as individual leaders and collectively, we’ve maintained a studied silence by avoiding anything that will further rock the boat.

“Regrettably but curiously, our friends and compatriots, leaders of Igbo extraction, have remained dead silent in the face of increasing assault and effort by their own people to stoke nationwide mayhem.

“For whatever reason it is, I want to loudly call them out to speak up. Silence is no longer acceptable in the face of this clear danger and threat against the country.

“The silence by political leaders and other prominent persons from that part of the country tells us only one thing: their tacit approval for the activities of the murderous IPOB gangs.

“As leaders of our own people, we’ve been under intense pressure over the current situation. We can’t bear it any longer.

“If leaders from the South-East feel they can allow their own people to do what they want, we may have no choice but to stop dousing the increasing tension among our own followers.”

But in a reaction on Tuesday, a faction of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide fired back at Wamako, insisting that Northern elders are the ones responsible for the insecurity in Nigeria due to their quest to hang onto power beyond 2023.

In a statement signed by the faction’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group accused the North of being responsible for all the disaster in the South-East based on an earlier warning by the US Embassy, Abuja.

Accusing Wamako of making inciting statements capable of causing ethnic cleansing and turmoil in the country, Ohanaeze said it is laughable that the likes of the former governor could not find solutions to the frightening insecurity challenges in the North for the last seven years.

“Northern Elders are behind the chaos in Nigeria as a ploy to retain the Presidency in the North beyond 2023 as they did to Jonathan in 2015,” the statement said.

“So they exported violence to the South-East to keep Igbo leaders busy with insecurity challenges and set traps for them (Igbo leaders) to fall in and get arrested.

“We are amazed at how someone who couldn’t remove a spark of dust in his eyelashes could see the remedy for the log of wood in the eyes of Ndigbo.

“Wamakko’s assertion that Igbo leaders are behind the scenes motivating the violence in the South-East has exposed the northern secrets of supporting bandits and Boko Haram for economic and political reasons.

“The silence of Igbo leaders is golden and will generate confusion in the camps of sponsors of terror in the South-East.”

Mbaka: Cleric seeks Ugwuanyi, others’ intervention to stop harassment

A cleric and former chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Pastor Sam Iyiogwe has called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and other Igbo leaders to intervene and halt the current harassment of the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

This is just as Igbo youths operating under the aegis of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has vowed to resist any further onslaught on the Catholic priest.

Mbaka had been on the receiving end since he condemned the current state of insecurity, deprivation, and hunger in the country.

He was immediately visited with heavy sanctions by Bishop Callistus Onaga of the Enugu Catholic Diocese who banned him from commenting on issues relating to politics.

Mbaka was also said to have last Sunday disclosed at adoration ground that he had been invited by the DSS for questioning.

Reacting to Mbaka’s recent travails, Pastor Iyiogwe warned that “nothing can stop the voice of the man operating under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.”

He called on Governor Ugwuanyi and southeast leaders, the Catholic church and the entire leadership of the church in Nigeria to rise up to ensure that Fr. Mbaka was not harassed any further.

“Fr. Mbaka is speaking out the evil in our nation which many church leaders and senior citizens have failed to speak because of fear of persecution.

“Nigerians are dying of hunger! People are being killed here and there even in their homes, villages, farmlands and on the roads. Businesses are closing up in all parts of Nigeria. Our Naira is valueless.

“We the political and church leaders have failed our nation Nigeria and God. It’s only the truth, which we are fighting against, that will save Nigeria from her many terrible troubles which are manmade.

“No one should dictate the words of the prophet even the prophet himself cannot.

“If he speaks lies and falsehood, it’s for him and God to judge. We should do everything possible within the law to keep Enugu State peaceful so that our state will continue to move forward in infrastructural provisions.”

Also, OYC spokesman, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the Igbo youths would no longer condone further harassment of the priest.

OYC described the invitation of Mbaka to Abuja by the DSS as a plan by the federal government to silence the priest.

“DSS has no reason to invite Mbaka, the same Mbaka who prophesied the emergence of Buhari and he was not invited by the DSS then but now that he’s talking about the state of the nation, the hunger and killings in the land DSS came to invite him.

“But we warn that any plot against Mbaka must be resisted by Igbo youths, let nothing happen to him or the federal government will have Igbo youths to contend with. The onslaught against a revered priest in Igbo land should stop forthwith,” the group said.

BREAKING: Soldiers block Sunday Igboho from entering Igangan Forest [Video]

Popular Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho on Monday visited Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo state, a day after the town was attacked by Fulani herdsmen.

Igboho was in the town to access the level of damage in yesterday’s attack. During the visit, Igboho also tried to comb the forest with his boys in search of the killer herdsmen.

He was, however, prevented from entering the forest by a team of fully armed soldiers, who were trailing his convoy immediately they arrived the town.

About 8 trucks of the Nigerian Army behind Igboho’s convoy. It will be recalled that several Yoruba people were massacred by suspected herdsmen in Igangan, also the palace of the Asigangan, the paramount ruler of the area was also burnt.

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

#Twitterban: Nigerians Must Have Free Access To Self Expression, US Envoy Insists

AMBASSADOR of the United States to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, on Monday, said at this critical time in Nigeria, free access to self expression is very important, as she reiterated the earlier position of the United States against the Twitter ban by the Nigerian government. 

Speaking at the end of a closed-door meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Geoffrey Onyeama held with ambassadors and representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and the European Union (EU) in Abuja, the US envoy, though agreed that there were abuses of the microblogging platform by some people, said there is still freedom of speech and expression. 

“We recognise that there are issues of the irresponsible use of social media, but we remain firm in our position that free access to the ability to express self is very important and perhaps more important in troubled times,” she said. 

The envoy said many of the things Onyeama had referred to during the meeting, including incitements and violence, were crimes the Nigerian government has legitimate right to prosecute. 

“We encourage them to use judicial processes within the scope of respect for human rights and the rule of law and restrain such behaviours,” Leonard said. 

She stated that the United States and other partners will continue to engage with Nigeria to uphold human rights and the rule of law. 

“I thank the minister for inviting us here today because that is what partners do – talk about shared goals. We did speak about the issues of social media and our concerns. 

“We have to be very clear that we are Nigeria’s strong partners on issues of security and we recognise the daunting task on the issues of security that confronts Nigeria. 

“While they are daunting, they are not insurmountable, and part of the way you surmount them is with the partnership of the people you see represented here,” she said. 

Leonard expressed satisfaction that the Nigerian government and Twitter were in talks. Onyeama had earlier intimated the envoys that Twitter suspension is in the interest of national security and peace. 

He said President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on ensuring the peace and security of Nigerians and Nigeria, stressing that the government’s major objective is to advocate responsible use of social media platforms that would not destabilise the peace and unity of the country.

“We had very useful discussions and we just restated the security concerns of Mr President and of all Nigerians and the very strong steps that needed to be taken to address security challenges in the country.

“They (the envoys) are all living here with us in Nigeria and have a fair view and experience of the security challenges we are facing.

“We discussed the role of social media as platforms which could be used to do good or bad. Unfortunately, the bad that social media is often used to commit have very dire consequences on human lives and, in our case also, threatening the unity of the country.

“As the responsibility of the government is to maintain law and order, security and to preserve human lives, we have to take every measure to ensure that all those are preserved.

“We believe as a democracy that there must be the right to life, the right to property ownership and we believe in human rights and freedom of speech, but the social media has to be used responsibly.

“We had detailed discussions and our partnership and solidarity with those countries were reaffirmed,’’ Onyeama said.

June 12: Deal with anyone or group who threatens internal security order – IGP tells policemen

As June 12 commemoration of Democracy Day approaches, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has directed Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in states and FCT to deal firmly with any person or group who may want to take advantage of the event to threaten internal security order.

Speaking during a meeting with strategic commanders of the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja, the IGP urged them to remain civil with law abiding citizens during the Democracy Day celebration.

“The June 12 Democracy Day is days away. We are currently reviewing the security situation, with a view to ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

‘’Details of this will form part of our discussion. I must, however, remind you all of the need to remain civil with law abiding citizens, but firm with any person or group that may wish to take advantage of the event to threaten our internal security order,’’ he said.

Expressing dismay that most Command Commissioners of Police ‘still allow their officers to unnecessarily impound vehicles at police stations, the IGP said: “Police facilities are not junk yards and must not be turned to one. Indeed, such acts create vulnerabilities which often engender attacks on our facilities.

“Accordingly, I task you to return to your commands and undertake a major operation to clear all such indiscriminately impounded vehicles off your stations.

‘’The compliance to this directive shall be confirmed in the course of my on-going tours to your command and any departmental head, zonal commander, commissioner of police or unit head that is found wanting will be dealt with.

“I have also received reports of abuses associated with the use of SPY plate numbers and tainted glasses. Accordingly, henceforth the issuance of SPY plate numbers and tainted glasses permits are hereby suspended.

‘’The existing authorizations are being reviewed and a protocol to regulate the issuance of such permits will be evolved.

“An emerging trend in which some motorists cover their plate numbers has also been noticed across the country. This practice inhibits our law enforcement operations and hence, is intolerable. Consequently, commissioners of Police are tasked to as part of their operations, to arrest any motorist involved in this act.

“Furthermore, I have been receiving reports that some Commissioners of Police are still allowing the mounting of road blocks in their jurisdictions. For the avoidance of doubt, road blocks under any description or guise remain banned across the country and any officer found to be contravening this order will be held liable and dealt with firmly.

“The society has evolved. As law enforcement operatives, we must align our policing strategies to this societal dynamics, particularly, at this time that our policing functions are being built in the community policing model in which the citizen’s interests are prioritized.

“Road blocks as a policing model is becoming obsolete and unacceptable, hence we are working towards enhancing our intelligence-led and technology-driven policing capability as well as strengthening the ‘Safer Highway Motorized Patrol Scheme as an alternative to road blocks.

“Therefore you are tasked to ensure that deployments within your command are reviewed and your operations aligned to this new policing approach which discourages the disposition to limiting the liberty of the citizens through road blocks which are known to be avenues for corrupt tendencies and other vices that widens the trust gap between the citizens and the police”.

Breaking: Abia Market On Fire, Trader Shot Dead

There is currently chaos at the Umuahia Timber market along Ahiaeke road in Abia State.

According to Daily Trust, the chaos started after traders failed to pay an annual levy of N18,000 imposed by the Abia State Internal Revenue Board.

A resident who spoke on the incident said the state revenue board directed the traders who failed to pay the levy to close down their shops.

The traders, however, resisted the order when vigilantes came to the market to affect the order given by the revenue board.

It gathered that the vigilantes killed one of the traders identified as ‘Indomie’, while 5 others were injured.

The development stirred anger in the traders who retaliated by burning the office and vehicles belonging to the local guards.

The state government while reacting, condemned that the destruction of Abia Vigilante Services Office and the Timber Market.

The Abia State Government in a statement released through the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, asked the police to commence an investigation.

The government directed the officers and men of Abia Vigilante Service to withdraw from the market, while the leadership of the market are directed to assist the police to identify people responsible for the attacks.

The statement read, “The impunity of burning buildings and other public institutions must stop forthwith, as arson remains a very serious crime against the state and humanity, which attracts severe consequences under our laws.

“Government will promptly discipline any Abia Vigilante Service personnel who harasses or intimidates citizens.”

Killing Of Northerners In South Must Stop – Northern Elders Forum Warns

 

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has warned against the attack and killing of northerners in the Southern part of the country.

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday, NEF spokesperson, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, asked northerners who are harassed and attacked to consider relocating to the north.

The forum also condemned the attack on government facilities, security operatives, and national assets in the South East, asking the federal government to arrest and prosecute those involved.

According to Baba-Ahmed, all Igbo and other ethnic groups residing in the north should be accorded the usual hospitality and security.

He, however, said the federal and state governments have a responsibility to enforce the law and protect citizens, adding that the agitation by the Igbo for secession has become widespread.

He said: “This nation has had to fight a terrible war to preserve the country. The north had paid its dues in that war, as indeed it did in many ways throughout the history of the country. Under our current circumstances, no Nigerian should welcome another war to keep the country together.

“The forum has arrived at the difficult conclusion that if support for secession among the Igbo is as widespread as it is being made to look, and Igbo leadership appears to be in support of it, then the country should be advised not to stand in its way.

“It will not be the best choice for the Igbo or Nigerians to leave a country we have all toiled to build and a country we all have the responsibility to fix, but it will not help a country already burdened with failures on its knees to fight another war to keep the Igbo in Nigeria.”

It’s Their Natural Right To Secede, Says Soyinka On Biafra/Yoruba Nation Agitation

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has stated that Biafra and Yoruba Nation agitators have right as free citizens to call for secession.

In a statement, the professor berated the use of force against the agitators, saying it is the responsibility of the leadership to persuade them.

“It is time to think “outside the box”. That many, in so doing, find no landing place except dissolution, is not a crime. It is not peculiar to any people, and is embedded in the ongoing history of many, and not only on this continent.”

“It is their natural right as free citizens, not slaves of habit and indoctrination. Where disillusion rides high, sentiment tumbles earthwards, and the only question becomes: what can be salvaged? It thus remains the responsibility of leadership to persuade them, through both discourse and remedial action, that there are other options. Attempted bullying is not a language of discourse, nor the facile ploy of tarring all birds with the same feather.”

While commenting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement about the civil war, Soyinka said while he held no brief for those killing and destroying government’s properties, the President’s statement to ‘deal with them in the language they understand’ was wrong and ‘tragically untimely.’

“I hold no brief for those who resort to burning down police stations, slaughter their occupants simply for the crime of earning a measly monthly pittance, torch electoral offices, assassinate politicians in calculated effort to set sections of the country against others in the promotion of their own political goals.

“These are largely nihilists, psychopaths and/or criminal lords, soul mates of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Da’esh and company, not to be confused with genuine liberators. All over the world, throughout history, elections are denounced, boycotted, and generally delegitimized without recourse to wanton butchery.

“When, however, a Head of State threatens to “shock” civilian dissidents, to “deal with them in the language they understand”, and in a context that conveniently brackets opposition to governance with any bloodthirsting enemies of state, we have to call attention to the precedent language of such a national leader under even more provocative, nation disintegrative circumstances. What a pity, and what a tragic setting, to discover that this language was accessible all the time to President Buhari, where and when it truly mattered, when it would have been not only appropriate, but deserved and mandatory!

“When Benue was first massively brought under siege, with the massacre of innocent citizens, the destruction of farms, mass displacement followed by alien occupation, Buhari’s language – both as utterance and as what is known as “body language” – was of a totally different temper. It was diffident, conciliatory, even apologetic. After much internal pressure, he eventually visited the scene of slaughter. His language? Learn to live peacefully with your neighbours. The expected language, rationally and legitimately applied to the aggressors, was exactly what we now hear – “I shall shock you. I shall deal with you in the language you understand,” he said.

Culled from Daily Trust.

I met my husband unconscious on the chair: TB Joshua's Wife recounts his last moments on earth

 

Evelyn, wife of Prophet T.B. Joshua., founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, has revealed how her husband died.

In her words: “He ended the race prayerfully. He spent about three hours in prayers before the last service on the mountain and was looking very healthy.
“He never showed any sign of illness or worry…

“Afterward, he came up to shower. Few Minutes later, he stepped out for ministrations. While ministering, he spoke about a time to come and time to leave.

“His statements were spiritual and suddenly, he left the stage and went to his inner chambers.

I waited a few minutes and thereafter I decided to check on him. I met him sitting on the chair like someone reflecting but unconscious.

His disciples came and tried to revive him to no avail. Of a truth, he went home to be with the Lord and left us with a message: WATCH AND PRAY.”

Police reveal how TB Joshua died

Police has revealed how TB Joshua died.

Lagos Police Commissioner (CP) Hakeem Odumosu offered some insight into how the Prophet died.

Joshua, he said, was officially pronounced dead by a hospital around 3am.

“It is true he is dead. I do not know the cause of his death yet. But the information we have is that he was conducting service. Along the line, he felt uncomfortable, walked to his apartment himself and never came back.

“His people thought he probably wanted to rest or refresh but when they didn’t see him after a long while, they went in search of him and found him in an unusual position.

“The service started in the evening. But it was around 3am that he was pronounced dead by a hospital.”

R.I.P to him....