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Aba killings: How soldiers humiliated Abaribe, ordered him out of his bulletproof SUV

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The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, was humiliated and ordered out of his Land Cruiser bulletproof SUV by soldiers over the killing of five military personnel at Obikabia junction military checkpoint in Aba, Abia State on Thursday.

Trouble began when unknown gunmen, who the army identified as members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), killed five soldiers at a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction on Thursday during the May 30 Biafra Day celebrations.

Following the incident, reinforced troops barricaded roads within major areas of Aba North Local Government and into some villages in Obingwa area.

While Abaribe was on his way to attend a funeral ceremony in Obingwa, he encountered a military barricade at Itu Ngwa village, and his vehicle was stopped. His police security detail, Joe, attempted to explain to the soldiers, but they insisted that Abaribe must alight from his vehicle.

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He eventually got down from the bulletproof car and was delayed for some time before being allowed to proceed.

According to some of those he spoke with at the funeral, the APGA Senator said that after the soldiers humiliated him and later allowed him to go, he called Governor Alex Otti, and explained what had happened, requesting the governor to issue a statement to calm the tense situation.

But Otti, according to a source, told Abaribe that he would not issue any statement so as not to aggravate the situation.

According to another source, while Abaribe was on his way home after the funeral, he was stopped again by another group of soldiers who also ordered him out of his bulletproof SUV.

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He came down and again introduced himself as a senator, but they insisted that he could only leave when they allowed him to. They kept him for some time before releasing him.

Abaribe later detoured to Umuahia instead of his village, Ohuru in Obingwa LGA from where he returned to Abuja with the first flight on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has vowed to respond fiercely to the killing of the soldiers and arrest the perpetrators.

A statement endorsed by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, categorically stated that IPOB/ESN members were responsible for the killing.

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“Troops of Operation Udo Ka deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjoining Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorists of IPOB/ESN. The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were mass attacked by the terrorists. The terrorists in three tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from built-up areas surrounding the checkpoint launched a surprise attack on the checkpoint.

“The attack sadly took the lives of five personnel of the armed forces. The armed forces mourn the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing concerning the attack.

“Accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military will be fierce in its response. We will bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” the statement said.

It should be noted that Abaribe signed bail bond for the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who jumped bail before being re-arrested and is currently in custody.

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IPOB had called for a sit-at-home on May 30 for Biafra Day Celebrations.

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Protests erupt in Plateau over incessant k!llings

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Protests erupted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Monday morning over the continued killings of indigenous residents by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants.

The demonstrations, led by Christian leaders including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, commenced on Monday morning at the Fawvwei Junction community road, causing a heavy gridlock and stranding commuters.

The latest protest comes amid a surge in violent attacks by gunmen in various communities, with over 100 people killed in Bokkos and Bassa LGAS in the past two weeks.

“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said Gyang Dalyop, one of the protesters.

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Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on the government to intervene before it spirals out of control.

The protesters brandishing placards with different inscriptions were seen marching towards the Rayfield Government House.

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Tinubu not your equal – Presidency replies Peter Obi’s ex-running mate, Datti

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The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.

The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.

Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.

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In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.

According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.

The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.

“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.

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“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.

“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”

Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.

It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

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‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu

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Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.

He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.

Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by 9NEWS NIGERIA.

The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.

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“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.

“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.

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