Headlines
Ekpa threatens 3-week curfew to protest against Kanu’s detention
Ekpa threatens 3-week curfew to protest against Kanu’s detention
The acclaimed prime minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, on Saturday, said “If Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafrans being illegally detained by the Nigeria state are not released, and all roadblocks and checkpoints in the South-East not dismantled on or before 15th of September 2023, the people will embark on another 3 weeks’ civil disobedience with a curfew.”
Ekpa stated this in a release entitled ‘delegitimisation of Nigeria within Biafra territory’.
The breakdown of the three-week sit-at-home shows that ‘Week One, September 18, 2023, will be the normal Monday sit-at-home; September 19, 2023, to September 22, 2023 will be a curfew from 6am to 12 noon; while September 23 2023 will be normal movement.
The statement added, “Week Two, 25.9.2023, there will be normal Monday sit-at-home; 26.9.2023 to 29.9.2023, there will be curfew from 6am to 12noon; 30.9.2023 and 1.10.2023 and 1.10. 2023, there will be normal movement in Biafra country.
“Week Three, 2.10.2023, normal Monday sit-at-home; 3.10.2023 to 6.10.2023, there will be curfew from 6am to 12noon. During this 3 weeks’ curfew, every Nigeria government secretariat in Biafra territory must shut down in all states.”
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It would be recalled that Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra in June this year, barred Ekpa from declaring sit-at-home, describing the act as ‘killing the economy of the south-easterners whom he is fighting for’.
Kanu’s handwritten statement was unveiled during a world press conference in Enugu organised by his special counsel, Barr Aloy Eimakor.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing had, Friday, reaffirmed their resolve to end sit-at-home in the Southeast of Nigeria.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze youths “expressed concern over the instigated insecurity and socio-economic disruptions in Igbo land.
“While commending the Southeast governors for all the efforts towards overcoming these challenges, the acting national youth leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, stated that they shall not rest on their oars till peace and security is restored in Southeast and Nigeria at large.”
IPOB had declared sit-at-home in 2021 to demand the release of Kanu who is being detained in the custody of the DSS over alleged treason, running a proscribed group and jumping bail.
Despite the cancellation of the sit-at-home by IPOB, Ekpa’s renegade wing has been ordering sit-at-home, including a two-week sit-at-home last month.
Ekpa threatens 3-week curfew to protest against Kanu’s detention
Headlines
Nasarawa govt talks tough against perpetrators of Gender Based Violence
The Nasarawa State Government has vowed not spare anyone caught perpetrating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) irrespective of the relationship with the victim.
Hajjya Aisha Rufa’i-Ibrahim, Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development stated this at an event to mark the 16-day activism against GBV on Monday in Lafia.
The commissioner said that the action became imperative given the increasing cases of GBV in the state despite the efforts by the government and other stakeholders.
According to her, most times, perpetrators of this type of violence are either relations of the victims or neighbours as well as colleagues.
“When such perpetrators were arrested, oftentimes, family members, friends, and prominent people in the society will try to intervene to help save them from facing the law.
“The state government will be very hard on the perpetrators going forward to serve as a deterrent to others and ensure justice for the victims,” she said.
The Commissioner encouraged survivors and victims, as well as their family members, to always speak out to enable the government to take action against the perpetrators.
She noted that the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration in the state had done a lot towards ensuring the protection of women and children against abuse of any kind.
“We have established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital as well as a Shelter Home for victims of GBV.
“We have also activated a free medical treatment for rape victims thereby removing barriers to accessing care and support,” she added.
The commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of traditional and religious leaders, community leaders as well as Non-Governmental Organisations towards the fight against GBV in the state.
She, however, said that more was still needed to be done to strengthen collaboration between the government and other stakeholders to tackle the menace.
Rufa’i-Ibrahim called on parents and guardians to empower the girl-child economically, educationally, and politically to reduce their vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
The commissioner also rolled out the series of activities outlined to create awareness about the danger of abusing and exploiting a person as a result of his or her gender.
“The ministry, in collaboration with partners, will hold community engagement campaigns, rallies, and school outreach programs, among others.
Headlines
Police rescue 14 passengers from bandits in Jibia
The police operatives in Katsina State have successfully rescued 14 passengers from kidnapping by bandits in Dan’arau village, in Magama-Jibia, Jibia local government area.
The police spokesperson of the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who stated this in a statement, said that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 7:55 p.m.
Aliyu explained that suspected armed bandits attacked two commercial vehicles on the road with the intent of abducting the occupants.
“On Nov. 24, 2024, at about 7:55 p.m., suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically, attacked two commercial vehicles at Dan’arau village on Magama-Jibia road in Jibia, in an attempt to kidnap the occupants.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia, led a team of operatives to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.
“The team successfully foiled the kidnapping attempt, and rescued the 14 passengers,” he said.
Aliyu, however, said two rescued victims suffered gunshot injuries and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
“Unfortunately, one of the victim succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment,” Aliyu revealed.
He said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while commending the officers’ exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty, charged them to sustain the tempo.
He further urged the public with useful information on suspected criminal activities to continue to
Aviation
NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist food depot, kill scores in Lake Chad
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Monday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said the NAF aircraft carried out the operations in Nov. 23 on the strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts.
He said the location served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters.
He added that intelligence had previously linked terrorists in the location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on Nov. 16.
According to him, the NAF fighter jets, in response, launched a robust air interdiction mission, destroying identified structures used as storage facilities and neutralising terrorists on-site.
“Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements.
“The operation’s success was made possible by extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted over several days, confirming the presence of active terrorist structures camouflaged under dense vegetation.
“The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations, while the neutralisation of a significant number of fighters diminished their capacity to launch future attacks,” he said.
Akinboyewa said the mission had demonstrated the NAF’s unwavering commitment to defending our nation and people, acting singly and supporting surface forces in counterterrorism operations.
He reiterated the NAF’s commitment to sustain robust independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria’s prosperity and wellbeing are brought to justice.
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