BIAFRA NEWS : War, Thank God, Ukraine’s missiles fired at us were intercepted – Belarus

 Ukraine has been accused of launching missiles into the territory of Belarus.

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said that Ukraine fired missiles at military facilities on his country’s territory, but was grateful to God that his military air defence neutralised them.

Lukashenko said that Ukraine’s missiles were intercepted by his country’s air defense systems earlier this week, CNN reports.

Lukashenko is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

He described Ukraine’s action as “provocation” according to the statement published by state-run news agency Belta.

“Thank God, the Pantsir anti-aircraft systems managed to intercept all the missiles launched by the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he said.

The Ukrainian military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Lukashenko’s claims, according to CNN.

BIAFRA NEWS : Farmers in Kaduna communities pay terrorists N400m to access farmlands – Community leader

 

Alhaji Zubairu Abdulra’uf, a community leader from the Birnin Gwari Emirate Council in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State,

 lamented that members of the communities in the area were allowed to go to their farms this rainy season by bandits after paying N400 million.

He said that the people of the emirate have all started defending themselves against the activities of terrorists that had taken over the area over the years.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, he explained that the incessant attacks on communities by the terrorists had paralyzed economic activities, especially in the rural areas, and made it completely impossible for them to travel to other places to undertake their legitimate activities.

According to him, N200 million was paid to the terrorists in the Randegi district alone.

He added, “When you talk of Birnin-Gwari Local Government as a whole, it’s between N300 million to N400 million paid to these bandits.”

He further explained that the payment is in three stages, stressing that the bandits are paid in pre-season and mid-season when the crops are about to start yielding.

He added that payment has to be made to the bandits because they will not allow the farmers to have access to their farms, saying that at the end of the season when the farmers are harvesting, they will also pay the bandits before they access their farms.

Abdulra’uf also revealed that the levy does not end there, adding that each farmer also gives between two to 10 bags of grains to the bandits.

He said the residents of Birnin-Gwari have been paying the levies for over three years, lamenting the frustration. He said since the government cannot protect them, they have chosen to arm themselves.

BIAFRA NEWS : IPOB reveals why Nnamdi Kanu was denied bail

 Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said the Federal Government is not ready to prosecute his client.

Ejiofor said the Federal Government is employing various methods to keep Kanu perpetually in detention.

He anchored his claim on the fact that the Federal Government had amended the treasonable felony charges seven times against the IPOB leader since 2015 when he was dragged to court.

“FG is not ready to hear this case; they are not even ready to try Nnamdi Kanu. What they want to do is they are applying all methods known to them to keep Nnamdi Kanu in perpetual detention. That’s what they are doing.

“I have done many cases; when a counsel is deposed for accelerated hearing of the matter, you will know.

“How can you tell me that a charge has been amended seven times since 2015.

“The last one they amended made it seven times they amended their charge, either reducing or increasing, and the court will keep on striking some of them out,” Ejiofor said on Thursday.

BIAFRA NEWS : War, You’ve made a big mistake – NATO tells Russia

 

NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg has said that it was clear Russia underestimated Ukraine’s resistance.

According to him, President Vladimir Putin of Russia also underestimated the unity of the NATO military alliance, adding that Putin has made a big mistake.

“He [Putin] has made a big mistake; he totally underestimated the strength of Ukrainian armed forces,” he told CNN.

According to him, President Putin did not foresee the courage being displayed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine.

He also claimed that the Russian leader had failed in achieving one of his major objectives at the beginning of the war, which was to weaken the NATO alliance.

Stoltenberg believes that what is before Putin at this point is a more strengthened and stronger NATO with two new members, Finland and Sweden, the former which shares a border with Russia.

Stoltenberg added that he is ignoring Putin’s rhetoric and that he will “assess him on his actions.”

BIAFRA NEWS : 2023, Peter Obi a movement, may get 75-80 percent votes in Katsina, Kano – Buhari’s ex-aide

 

President Muhammadu Buhari’s former Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad,

 has expressed fear over the growing popularity of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi in some Northern States.

Ahmad said Obi’s name has metamorphosed into a movement in Kano and Katsina States.

He warned other presidential candidates that Obi had become a movement to beat in both States.

In a tweet, the former presidential aide said Obi may likely claim 75 to 80 percent votes in Kano and Katsina States.

“Let me confess, the name Peter Obi alone is a movement to beat, I was in Kano over the weekend and to my surprise everywhere is PO, nobody is talking about other candidates anymore and a friend told me that it’s a similar story in Katsina. LP is getting 75% – 80% in those States,” he tweeted.

Obi, who is the former Governor of Anambra State, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to LP.

Since he joined LP, Obi has become a household name among Nigerians who feel he should be the country’s next president.

As Nigeria draws closer to the 2023 presidential election, the clamour for electorates to vote Obi continues to increase daily.

Despite his growing popularity, the All Progressives Congress, APC, had said its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu has nothing to fear.

A former Acting National Chairman of APC, Hillard Eta, had said most of those agitating online would end up voting for Tinubu in 2023.

Eta had pointed out that such an agitation was nothing new.

BIAFRA NEWS : Cross River, Army accused of atrocity in Nko over Colonel, soldiers’ shooting

 

The Nigerian Army raid on two communities in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Cross River State has come under severe criticism.

The recurring communal crisis has claimed scores of lives, wounded and displaced many, with properties destroyed.

Last weekend, some people were killed in Nko town after soldiers allegedly opened fire on residents.

The troops were drafted from Edor Barracks in Ikom to curtail the conflict between the people of Nko (Yakurr LGA) and Onyadama (Abi LGA) over a land dispute.

On Saturday, Nko youths went on rampage, maintaining that the Army has not been neutral in their face-off with Onyadama.

After mobilization, they confronted and shot six soldiers and a Colonel who led the team. The latter and his contingent are receiving treatment.

The military authority got furious over the attack and ordered a major operation to fish out the culprits.

On Sunday, troops stormed the community in vehicles after dawn and launched an offensive. It is unclear if there was an exchange of fire.

Circulating figures suggest at least five deaths; some people, including women, the elderly and children, are missing.

The military now faces a backlash. Okoi Obono-Obla, a former President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, told Army chief, Yahaya Frauk, to call his men to order.

Obono-Obla accused soldiers deployed of engaging in retaliation against innocent residents in an extreme manner.

“The reprisal attack against Nko community leaves a sour taste in the mouth. These reprisal attacks by law enforcement agencies on innocent villagers are wicked.”

He demanded that the perpetrators of the “senseless and mindless violence” be arrested and brought to justice immediately.

On Tuesday, a Twitter user (Soyi Hadassah) wrote: “Dear Nigerians, They’re still shooting sporadically in my village (Nko, Yakurr area).

“It’s enough that they burnt our house with my father in it and my poor mother is still in the bush hiding for her life.

“We can’t even travel, which makes it more horrible. Help me, help my father, Help the homeless and poor people in Nko.”

A reply by @Christiine_U reads: “A family friend just told me about this. Her mum is stuck at home and she can’t walk, the people taking care of her and feeding her have fled to the bush leaving her to her faith.

“The woman is scared and hungry alone at home. My friend is scared here in Lagos. Send help to Uko.”

In another reaction, @thatgirlsteh wrote: “My colleague had to leave work early cuz she got a call that they burnt her family house and her mom’s shop, and that her dad is missing.”

Also, @EduEle5 tweeted: “Nigeria has happened to one of our own again. These soldiers burnt the home of @Soyi_Hadassah with her father inside.

“I was on the phone with mum today when she was telling me about the refugees that are looking for where to lay their heads in our town.

“The soldiers staged a raid, razing down buildings and firing live bullets at villagers, alleging that their personnel was killed by Nko youths.

“After the raiding by the army last night, normalcy returned but suddenly between 6 a.m. this today, they appeared again and started shooting everything on sight.

“Soldiers sent to keep peace within these two communities are the same people killing and rendering people homeless by burning houses, shops etc. Why?”

Army Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu did not take calls to his line on Wednesday.

However, the yet-to-be named wounded Colonel is still under care, battling for his life.

The officer was flown by helicopter to Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital for medical attention,  correspondent learnt.

Retired service personnel from the restive community have condemned the targeting of the soldiers.

“The Colonel is in a critical condition in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Abakaliki.

“Six other soldiers were shot. Other senior retired military officers in the area have blamed the people for daring the soldiers.

“They shot and mocked them by parading half-naked and shaking their bum. That’s why the soldiers responded and invaded the community”, one said.

Another source disclosed that troops conducting house to house searches “discovered and retrieved arms”.

The palace of the village head of Nko, Obol Ofem Ayomobi was raided and set ablaze allegedly by soldiers, who said arms were stored there.

The Obol Lopon of Ugep, HRM Obol Ofem Ubana confirmed the presence of the soldiers but said his home wasn’t searched.

“It is not true that soldiers invaded my palace and uncovered arms”, the paramount ruler of Yakurr LGA explained.

“As a result of the violence, there is a huge population of refugees from Nko in my palace in Ugep who arrived for safety”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Cross River government has ordered the Nko community to produce the shooters of the soldiers.

Governor Ben Ayade spokesman, Linus Obogo issued a statement on Tuesday after a state security council meeting attended by service chiefs.

The government directed the Army to sustain its operation in Nko until those behind the firing of the military personnel are apprehended.

Also, an order was issued for dethronement of the Obol Etim Ayomobi (Yakurr) and the Clan Head of Oyadama, Ovarr Vincent Erena (Obubra LGA).

BIAFRA NEWS : 2023 , Obi should enjoy his sectional sympathy, social media frenzy for now – APC chieftain, Ajaka

 

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yakubu Ajaka,

 has said that the former Governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi should be allowed to enjoy his sectional sympathy and social media frenzy for now.

He said that when political campaigns start, Nigerians would differentiate between boys and men in politics.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Abuja, Ajaka also said that the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso cannot become the president of Nigeria with a sectional party like New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

He said, “Just like Kwankwaso, Peter Obi is only enjoying sectional sympathy but a real presidential candidate needs to enjoy acceptability from all parts of the country.

“So, we believe that Peter Obi should enjoy his social media frenzy for now before the real campaign starts very soon.”

The APC chieftain noted that Kwankwaso, who is the presidential candidate of NNPP should return to the ruling party, where he can have a great chance of becoming president in the future.

He stressed that winning one or two states in the North-West won’t make him the president.

He stated: “Kwankwaso knew about the formation of APC, he contributed immensely to its success in 2015 and our leaders hope to repay him at the appropriate time but he cannot be outside to be a beneficiary in the nearest future.

“So, that is why I said it’s not too late for him to return to the APC. That’s where he naturally belongs and has an assurance of becoming a president one day, and not his current sectional NNPP.

“Although, some people might be deceiving him by calling him Mr. President already, but just one or two states in the North-West can’t make him a president. Kwankwaso needs a national party like APC to achieve his presidential ambition. So, I urged him to do the needful before it’s too late,” Ajaka said.