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Igbo want Biafra nation, not interested in hunger protest – IPOB
The separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, on Wednesday, warned the Igbo people against joining the ongoing hunger or #EndBadGovernance protest across the country.
The pro-Biafran group insisted that Igbo people were fed up with Nigerian affairs and wanted only a referendum to exit the country and form their Biafra nation.
While asking Nigerians to carry their cross and enjoy their “Emilokan” – President Bola Tinubu’s campaign slogan – IPOB said if there was any for the Igbo to protest, it would be to demand the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and a date to demand a referendum to leave Nigeria.
The group stated this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.
“What we are interested in now is for President Bola Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and give us a date for the Biafran referendum for Biafrans to decide their fate in Nigeria or an independent Biafra Nation,” IPOB said.
While warning Igbo people not to join the hunger protest, IPOB alleged that there were plans to create a crisis and blame it on the Igbo people so they could be attacked.
It urged Igbo people living outside the South-East to concentrate on protecting themselves and their property while the protest lasted instead of participating.
It said, “Ndigbo should be careful and know that they are hated and targeted across the contraption called Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the false accusations against IPOB and Mr Peter Obi by the Federal Government as the sponsors of the proposed protest are part of the sinister plan and agenda to target Ndigbo for elimination.
“The false alarm that IPOB and Ndigbo are sponsoring the protest is another false flag operation targeted at killing Ndigbo during the protest.
“Neither, Ndigbo nor IPOB called for the Nigerians to protest against the leadership’s disastrous performance in Nigeria. Interestingly, both the IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and many other Igbo groups have warned Ndigbo not to join the proposed peaceful national protest against hardship and hunger in the wider Nigeria.
“We have maintained that Nigerians must carry their cross and enjoy their Emilokan. Ndigbo do not know what Emilokan means. Sadly, the Federal Government and her proxies are falsely accusing Ndigbo and IPOB as the sponsors of the protest. We have no hand in it.
“Therefore, all the Biafrans in the North and the West must understand that they are outside their region and should endeavour to defend themselves and their properties. As much as possible, refrain from joining either the planned peaceful protest or the hired pro-government protest.
“Should you expose yourself, you and your business will be the main target, not other tribes. Understand that you are not loved in the supposed country of the zoo called Nigeria that some of you claim to be part of.”
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NBC Calls for Peace and Progress in interstate Boundary Resolution(Photos)
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) Surv. Adamu Adaji has called for peace and progress in the resolution of interstate between Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
Adaji made this call at a Stakeholders meeting on the Abia/Akwa Ibom interstate boundary resolution held in Abuja.
The meeting underscores the Commission’s commitment to achieving a peaceful and definitive settlement.
“This meeting is a crucial step toward fostering understanding and cooperation between Abia and Akwa Ibom States,” the Director-General stated.
He acknowledged the complexities involved in resolving the decades long dispute, which has seen repeated interruptions due to local tensions and legal entanglements.
The Director-General highlighted the NBC’s determination to creating a harmonious solution, one that respects the historical and legal boundaries while prioritizing the safety and development of border communities.
The boundary dispute, rooted in the implementation of Decree 23 of 1985, has been marked by instances of hostility, waton destruction of lives and properties, and abductions, notably in regions where the field tracing exercise was stalled in 2014.
The Akwa Ibom State Boundary Committee expressed grave concerns over recent escalations, including fatal incidents affecting the Nkari people of Ini Local Government Area (LGA) and allegations of encroachment into farmlands in Obotme.
In her response, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, called for calm among affected communities, urging boundary community dwellers to avoid retaliatory actions whilst assuring them of ongoing efforts to resolve the matter peacefully.
The Akwa Ibom delegation presented a position paper outlining the state’s stance and a set of recommendations aimed at expediting the resolution process.
These recommendations include strict adherence to delimitation protocols and improved oversight of field team conduct to prevent further disruptions.
Echoing the call for decisive action, Engr Ikwechkwu Emetu, Deputy Governor of Abia State, expressed optimism for the meeting’s outcomes.
He addressed the lingering issues and called for the recovery of essential field documents lost over time, stressing the importance of these materials to accurately demarcate the boundary.
The Deputy Governor also highlighted the need for a distinct categorization of disputes, distinguishing genuine boundary claims from requests for boundary adjustments.
With both states aligning on the urgency of a resolution, the NBC is expected to facilitate constructive dialogue in line with recommendations from previous joint meetings.
The Director-General concluded his address by reaffirming NBC’s role as a neutral body committed to justice and fairness, pledging that the Commission will implement the findings of this meeting to end the dispute and foster lasting peace in the affected areas.
The outcome of the Abuja meeting will be pivotal, with all parties hopeful for an agreement that finally puts an end to decades of contention, allowing both Abia and Akwa Ibom States to move forward in unity and prosperity.
The meeting brought together key representatives from both states to address the persistent boundary dispute affecting Abia and Akwa Ibom communities.
News
Navy arrests 3 suspects with stolen crude oil in A’Ibom
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka has arrested three suspected oil thieves carrying a boat containing crude oil worth N32 million in the state.
The Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke disclosed this while handing over the suspects and seized items to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Akwa Ibom Command on Thursday at Ibaka.
Aneke said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, at about 09:05a.m following an intelligence report about the activities of suspected criminals involved in crude oil theft within the Navy’s area of operations.
“The necessary support of FOB Ibaka, the Tantita team intercepted and arrested the suspected criminals with a wooden boat discovered to be laden with about 60,000 liters of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“Other items recovered from the suspects included outboard engines and a pumping machine.
“Notably as at the time of arrest, the wooden boat had a total of three crew members (all Nigerians).
“The vessel was discovered to have 11 Geepee tanks which were loaded with about 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, the product was overloaded from offshore Ibeno in Akwa Ibom,” Aneke said.
He warned individuals or groups planning to carry out any form of criminality in Nigerian waters or smuggling illegal consignments into or out of Nigeria’s waters, to desist immediately.
Aneke reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to combating maritime crimes in the state under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
He said that criminal elements in FOB Ibaka Area under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility would continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.
Receiving the seized items and suspects, Mr Adetona Taiwo, Extractive Industry Fraud Section, Uyo Zonal Directorate, said the commission would further investigate and possibly prosecute the suspects.
News
National grid collapses again, ninth time in 2024
By Francesca Hangeior
Nigeria has, for the ninth time in 2024, been thrown into darkness following the collapse of the national power grid.
A check by Vanguard on the official X page of the Nigeria National Grid (@NationalGridNg) revealed an official statement signed by the JosDisco, Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole.
The post read: “The current outage being experienced within our franchise states is a result of a loss of power supply from the national grid. The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 11:28 AM on Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.
“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored to normalcy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to serve you better.”
The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) also confirmed the latest collapse in a message to customers.
The DISCO said: “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, 07 November 2024, at 11:29 hiours, affecting supply within our network.”
IKEDC assured customers that efforts to restore power are underway in collaboration with key stakeholders, though no timeline was provided.
“Restoration of supply is ongoing. Kindly bear with us,” the company added.
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