BIAFRA : Soleimani’s killing European Union invites Iran

The European Union, EU, has invited Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, to its headquarters in Brussels.

The invitation follows series of war threats from Iran and the United States since after the killing of Iranian army General, Qassem Soleimani by the US government.

The European Union is urging a “de-escalation of tensions” in the Gulf.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made the offer to Mohammad Javad Zarif during a telephone call this weekend, a press release said.

The press release added, “Borrell invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Brussels to continue their engagement on these matters,” it said, Al Jazeera reports.

Iran on Saturday said it had identified American targets to be attacked as revenge for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, in an American airstrike.

A senior Iranian commander, General Gholamali Abuhamzeh, said that some 35 US targets in the Middle East, as well as Tel Aviv, were within reach of Tehran.

BIAFRA : US, Iran war Buhari told to place Islamic Movement in Nigeria on watch list

The Global Action for Peace has raised alarm on the threat posed by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to citizens of the United States of America and the United Kingdom in Nigeria and the need for greater action.

GAP said the alarm became imperative following the ongoing war between America and Iran.

According to the group, all hands must be on deck to tackle whatever violent uprising that the IMN is planning in Nigeria against US and UK and other foreign citizens in the country.

President of the group, Agbo Joseph
who made this call at a press conference on Sunday, opined that IMN be put on the terror watch list of the United States and the United Kingdom, and measures put in place to protect US and UK citizens in Nigeria.

His statement added that
“The Global Action for Peace views with concern the posturing of members of the IMN that was evident in the public demonstration in some parts of northern Nigeria declaring a “jihad” on the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

“These threats are very typical of the terrorist activities of the IMN as an organization whose ideology is deeply rooted in violence and religious intolerance.

“This action by the IMN should give all well-meaning Nigerians a cause for concern given the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria hasn’t made any official statement given the position of the United Nations over the military face-off between the United States of America and Iran.

“However, you may recall that it was because of its extremist and terrorist tendencies and the attendant dangers it posed to national security that the Kaduna state government and later the Federal Government of Nigeria proscribed the activities of the IMN in Nigeria.

“The Global Action for Peace wishes to state that the threat issued by the IMN to citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom in Nigeria is an affront to our collective sensibilities as Nigerians, which must be looked into by the security agencies.

“The action of the IMN is an indication of the zero regards they have for constituted authorities in Nigeria, hence their disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Global Action for Peace wishes to alert the relevant authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom that given the antecedents of the IMN that is rooted in deep hatred for those that do not share in their ideology, there is a high tendency that they would go a step further from the protest to inflict bodily harm on citizens of the United States of America and the United Kingdom in Nigeria through violent means.

:This is also on the heels that it is an incontrovertible fact that the IMN has Iran as their spiritual base as well as the support base for the entrenchment of their nefarious activities all over the world. This is cognizant of the fact that there are indications that Iran may turn to targets in Africa to exert revenge using proxies such as the IMN.

“The Global Action for Peace consequently wishes to draw the attention of Nigerians, as well as the security agencies of the apparent threat to life and properties by the adherents of the IMN in Nigeria. This is because of the ongoing mobilization by the leadership of the IMN to carry out massive protests across the country with specific directives from the Iranian authorities to target US and UK citizens.

“The Global Action for Peace wishes to state that it is on record that the Nigerian authorities have, on numerous occasions, indicated how the IMN as agents of the Iranian government had engaged in terrorist activities in Nigeria that have brought untold hardship and bodily harm on innocent and unarmed Nigerians.

“Also, the IMN has, on numerous occasions, confronted security operatives in Nigeria, including one that led to the death of a senior police officer and many others.

“We must, therefore, be concerned that the current situation across the globe demands action that the IMN be put on the terror watch list of the United States and the United Kingdom, and measures put in place to protect US and UK citizens in Nigeria.

“The Global Action for Peace wishes to reiterate that should the IMN not placed on the terror watch list, their propensity to carry out the whims and caprices of the Iranian authorities on US and UK citizens in Nigeria would be institutionalized.

“The posturing of the IMN is indeed a red alert, and as such, there is every need for all hands to be on deck to tackle whatever violent uprising that the IMN is planning in Nigeria.

“The Global Action for Peace wishes to advise the United States and the United Kingdom to see this as a clarion call and activate measures that would support the efforts of the security agencies in Nigeria in curtailing the threats posed by the IMN. This is highly necessary given the fact that the IMN is now a global threat.”

BIAFRA : US vs Iran Nigeria Police on red alert over rising tension

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has placed policemen on red alert over the growing tension between the United States and the government of Iran.

DCP FRank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters in a statement on Sunday said this proactive measure followed Intelligence reports over the recent killing of the Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani.

According to him, some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage.

The statement added that, “Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police have been directed to ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation.

“The Police Commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert Police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.”

The, IGP, however assured all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria of adequate security.

He warned all potential troublemakers to steer clear of the streets and territory of Nigeria.

DAILY POST reports that the death of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike has stoked fears of a new war in the Middle East.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to revenge Soleimani’s killing, while President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would target 52 sites in the Islamic Republic if Tehran retaliates.

BIAFRA : 2020 Real reasons Igbo should not be talking of presidency now – Sen. Abaribe

The Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, has pointed out reasons why the South East should not be talking about 2023 presidency now.

Abaribe stated that the South East should be talking about teaming up with others to make Nigeria a better place and not 2023 presidency.

The Abia South Senator in a chat with Vanguard also lamented that the structure of the country was very bad, hence the need to jettison calls for presidency.

He said: “I think what you are doing now is that you are also creating this same thing that we are decrying. We are saying that it is too early for anybody to be talking about who will take whatever and the times are very dire. And instead of looking at that you are asking other questions.

“OK, an Igbo becoming the next President, if it doesn’t change your life today, in what way will that help you? So, what we are interested in is how do we get this country to be better and I have made this point repeatedly before and let me repeat it: the structure of the country should be changed before we start thinking about who gets what and I believe and I stay on that.

“The structure is so bad that it is very difficult for you to make the country work. That’s the point. At the moment, the country has turned into a unitary government and we merely mouth federalism.

“And so, it makes it near impossible for you to even do mere security. A local government chairman can’t even secure his environment and he’s called the chief security officer of his local government. He can’t call a DPO to say ‘how do we secure our area?”

BIAFRA : Soleimani’s Killing Fani-Kayode hails Trump’s actions, says Iran hates Christians

Former minister of aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to US President, Donald Trump readiness to start war with Iran over the death of Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force,

Fani-Kayode on Sunday urged Trump to go ahead with his plans, adding that Iranians hate Christians and are committed to wiping out Israel.

On his Twitter page, Trump wrote: “It is time to finish the mess called Iran and to put an end to terrorism in the world. They hate America, Israel and Christians and they constantly indulge in terror.

“They are committed to wiping out Isreal and our Christian faith. I say again, God bless Donald Trump.

“What I can’t understand about Shiite Muslims is that they cry against persecution in Nigeria but they celebrate the persecution of Christians, Jews and Sunnis in the Middle East.

“You cannot have your cake and eat it. Again I say God bless Donald Trump for making the world safer.”

Trump, Sunday morning, declared America’s preparedness for war with Iran.

He resumed his warning to Iran not to retaliate the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, was killed by a US airstrike on Friday.

Trump advised Iran not to attack American citizens or interests and reiterated the consequences of such actions.

Trump tweeted: “The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World!

“If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way…and without hesitation!”

BIAFRA : Border closure Igbo leader sends message to Buhari

The Leader of the Igbo Community in Zamfara (Eze Igbo Zamfara), Chief Egbuna Obijiaku, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to sustain its land border closure.

NAN reports that Obijiaku spoke on Saturday in Gusau.

The Eze Igbo said that the majority of Nigerians did not seem to realise the benefits of the border closure.

“I am pleading to fellow Nigerians to exercise patience and cooperate with President Muhammad Buhari to rehabilitate the country.

“This border closure will make Nigeria to be strong; it will allow us to stand on our feet. Many of us may not understand the advantages of this border closure.

“We have started witnessing some socio- economic advantages of the government’s policy.

“I am, therefore, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain the closure for future benefits.

“It is in the good intention of President Muhammad Buhari to move Nigeria to a higher level.

“I am also calling on all Nigerians to cooperate with Mr President, irrespective of our differences,” he added.

The monarch also lauded the efforts of the state Gov. Bello Matawalle in promoting peace and stability.

BIAFRA : Kaduna govt gives update on Chikun explosion

The Kaduna State Government has said the number of persons affected by Saturday’s explosion could not be ascertained until investigations have been carried out.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, said this in an interview with NAN.

“Search and rescue is in progress but we have had case of injured persons that have been rushed to the hospital for medical attention,” he said.

Aruwan assured that the state government would stop the operation of gas sales in residential areas.

Paul Aboi, Director, Kaduna State Fire Service, said that the gas explosion took place in a compact place where there were shops operating.

He said the situation was put under control by men of the fire service in combined efforts of the Police, Civil Defence, Red Cross and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Aboi said those who sustained severe injuries as a result of the blast had been rushed to the hospital for intensive care.

The the incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Kachia road by Anguwn Boro in Kaduna.