attacks South-East govs, says Ebube Agu will fail

 

THE Indigenous People of Biafra has warned South-East youths not to join Ebubeagu security outfit recently announced by governors of the states in the region.

The group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, gave the warning in a statement sent to our correspondent in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Describing Ebubeagu as a huge joke and waste, IPOB enjoined youths and other people in the area to distance themselves from the security outfit.

Stating that the formation of Ebebuagu was suspicious, IPOB said, “Anyone who neglects this warning and thinks he can hide under the cloak of Ebubeagu to spy on ESN should be prepared to join his ancestors.”

The statement read in part, “It has come to the attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra that South-East governors have shamefully and belatedly announced the formation of an abstract security outfit called Ebubeagu to secure the zone from Fulani terrorist herdsmen they allotted our ancestral lands.

 

“When Amotekun was formed, it was not abstract; the personnel and their equipment were handy. When our leader floated the gallant Eastern Security Network, the men were on the ground.

“How then did South-East traitors called governors announce a security outfit without any personnel or were they under any pressure to hurriedly make the announcement after years of foot-dragging and deceit?

“Any other security outfit formed in South-East will crash because ESN is already on the ground and living up to expectation.

“We, therefore, warn our youths to have nothing to do with the so-called Ebubeagu security outfit, which was ostensibly formed to sabotage IPOB and ESN. Anyone who neglects this warning and thinks he can hide under the cloak of Ebubeagu to spy on ESN should be prepared to join his ancestors.”

 

Buhari returns from medical trip to UK

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the country from the United Kingdom, UK where he went for a medical check-up.

Buhari arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport on Thursday evening.

More to follow……..

Army to train correctional officers on standing off jail breaks

 

The Nigerian Army says it will train Nigerian Correctional Service personnel (NCoS) on prison protection.

The Acting Controller General of Corrections, John Mrabure had, in a letter to the Chief of Army Staff, requested assistance to that effect.

The engagement will help the personnel suppress armed non-state actors.

Recall that at least 3 jailbreaks have happened in Nigeria in the last six months, with some unsuccessful attempts.

Francis Enobore, NCos spokesman, in a statement disclosed that the training will cover “relevant tactical components”.

 

He said the partnership with the Army is one of the strategies to resist and prevent further violation of custodial centres.

Since 2010 when Boko Haram invaded the Bauchi Custodial Centre and freed their members and others, hoodlums have attacked prisons across the country.

On Wednesday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Army and the Police Edo foiled a jailbreak at an NCoS facility at Ubiaja in Edo.

Clashes: 18 persons allegedly killed in Gombe, Adamawa States

 

Eighteen corpses are said to have been recovered from the four Lunguda Communities attacked and reduced to ashes by a suspected Waja militia group in the northeast states of Adamawa and Gombe.

A local source from the affected Communities said fifteen people were killed in Nyuwar and Jesu in Gombe State while an escalation of the attacks on some villages of Walu tudu and Lamja in Dukkul Ward, Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa also recorded three deaths killed.

Though there is no official security confirmation from both states, local hunters and vigilante groups who were mobilized to assist confirmed the figure, expressing fear that casualty may be higher.

Tension and anxiety are mounting in most of the communities along the borders between Gombe and Adamawa State as villages inhabited by Wajas and Lungudas were completely deserted for fear of attack.

 

Although Gombe State has sent in a detachment of military personnel to restore peace and order to the communities of Nyuwar and Jesu in Gombe State, it was not, however, confirmed if Adamawa has done the same to forestall further escalation.

Waja/ Lunguda hostilities which started in Adamawa State early last year resumed in Gombe State where communities predominantly inhabited by Lunguda were selectively attacked and homes burnt down.

The Chairman of Guyuk Local Government Shalom Kassa whose village was allegedly affected could not pick repeated calls to confirm the incident.

attack bank in Anambra, hoist Biafra flags

 

Unknown Gunmen on Thursday attacked a First Bank Plc branch in Abagana, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State, shooting sporadically into the air, dispersing bank customers and passersby.

A source said the gunmen, numbering about ten, drove a black Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the bank, and shot in all directions, causing panic, while also hoisting Biafra flags at the bank’s gate when all had fled.

A source said, “They also set fire on a Nissan Pathfinder SUV with registration number UR 640 KJA and smashed the glasses of a Honda car with registration number FST 456 AC, parked in front of the bank.”

Normal human and vehicular movements, however, continued after the gunmen left.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed the attack to journalists but said he was working on a reaction to the attack.

As at the time of filing this report, he was yet to give the official position of the Command, casualty figures or those involved.

Entertainment Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez finally split

 

Singer Jennifer Lopez and former New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez have finally confirmed the crash of their relationship.

Recall that E! News earlier reported that the Hollywood couple called off their engagement which is nearly two years.

The news came as a shock to fans after Jennifer Lopez and Alex spent Valentine’s Day together and also attended the Super Bowl in Miami in February.

Following the development, the couple while giving an update on the reported split in a statement provided to Reuters dismissed the reports adding that they were working out something together.

 

However, the duo in a joint statement to NBC’s ‘TODAY’ on Thursday, confirmed their split.

The couple further revealed that they realized they were better as friends.

They also pledged to keep supporting each other even after the split.

“We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so.

We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects.

“We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support,” the statement said.

Nigeria planning to sponsor attacks on banks, not IPOB’s ESN – Nnamdi Kanu alleges

 

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday declared that the Eastern Security Network, ESN, has no plans to attack banks in the Southeast.

Kanu made the declaration while accusing the Department of State Services, DSS, of plotting to sponsor criminals to carry out such attacks while disguising as ESN operatives.

He alleged that the money to be realised from the operation would be used to purchase arms.

Speaking through the spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful, Kanu claimed that the propaganda was aimed at blackmailing ESN and tarnishing the image of the security outfit before the world.

A statement by Powerful reads: “We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to put banks in Biafra land on notice of a wicked plot by the Nigeria security agencies to harm them.

“Our intelligence unit has uncovered a fabricated propaganda by the Department of State Services, DSS, that Eastern Security Network, ESN is planning to attack banks in Biafraland to acquire money to purchase arms. DSS is propelling this wicked propaganda all in a bid to blackmail ESN and IPOB, and dent our global reputation.

“We, therefore, wish to debunk this falsehood and blatant lie from the pit of hell. IPOB and ESN are not criminals, and we have no plans or agenda to touch any institution, particularly banks. We are not looking for money to buy arms because we produce our arms locally and cannot attack or kidnap anybody for ransom. We don’t inflict pains on the people we are fighting for their freedom. DSS must stop this rubbish and engage their time on something more meaningful. This poor script cannot fly.

“IPOB and ESN are very disciplined groups, and we cannot indulge in armed robbery against any individual or group. ESN has never left its mandate which is to defend Biafra land against Fulani terrorists and killer herdsmen.

“All banks in Biafraland must be wary of DSS because it is possible they are planning to sponsor attacks on banks and turn around as usual to blame it on IPOB and ESN operatives.
The double-faced Nigerian security agencies have been staging this kind of attacks in so many places and later point accusing fingers at IPOB and ESN.

“They have tried to blame the attacks on security formations in South East on us but now it is obvious that we are innocent of that, they have quickly changed tact in their desperation to blackmail us and find a cheap excuse to declare another special military operation in the zone. Our people should be smart and not buy into their tricks.

“We are waiting for any group of armed robbers who would attempt to attack any bank in Biafraland in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of IPOB and ESN. Such band of criminals and their sponsors will regret their action.”

He assured residents and institutions including banks in the Southeast of their safety.

“We will help resist these criminals the DSS is arranging to attack banks in the name of ESN and IPOB,” he said.