BIAFRA NEWS : CBN orders banks to collect old N500, N1,000 notes

 

CBN orders banks to collect old N500, N1,000 notes

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed Deposit Money Banks to collect old N500, and N1,000 notes from customers with reference code generated from its website. 

Multiple bank sources told Vanguard that the branches received a directive from the head office some hours ago that they should collect the old notes from their customers who have enrolled and generated reference code from the CBN website. 

 

 

A top CBN official confirmed the directive: “Yes we have directed them to collect the old N500 and N1,000 from customers, subject to maximum of N500,000.”  Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the old N500 and N1,000 notes were no longer legal tenders, but that those having the notes should take the notes to the CBN. 

 

 

Consequently, the CBN opened a portal for people with the old N500 and N1,000 notes to register how much they want to deposit and to get a reference code to confirm there registration.

The reference code will be used to deposit the old notes at any of the CBN offices across the country. 

 

 

However, investigation revealed that the CBN might have allowed the banks to collect the old notes from their customers, following the huge number of people that besieged its offices to deposit the old N500 and N1,000.

A top bank official and branch head told Vanguard that the branch will collect old notes from customers tomorrow (Saturday) as the branch did not open to customers today due to fear of attack.

BIAFRA NEWS : IPOB leader, Ekpa to be part of Ohanaeze peace summit

 

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Thursday, said that the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and another controversial leader of IPOB, Simon Ekpa, would be present at the peace summit of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.

 The elder statesman said the Ohanaeze would appeal to the Federal government to release Kanu to them for the peace summit, while an invitation would be extended to Simon Ekpa, said to be residing in Finland to come back home to join in the peace summit.

 “We are going to appeal to the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu to participate in the peace summit. and we will invite Simon Ekpa, to be part of the peace summit. We are calling on those groups issuing sit-at-home orders against the election to withdraw them. We are assuring them that their grievances will be resolved. We are calling for a ceasefire. They should come to the peace summit and we will resolve all their problems,” Iwuanyanwu pleaded.

The elders of Ohanaeze said the meeting was to achieve peace in Igboland, stop the killings, as well as have the 2023 elections to be held peacefully across the region.

According to Ohanaeze, “In the past few months, I have watched with deep grief the amount of innocent blood being shed in Southeast and other parts of Nigeria. properties belonging to governments and individuals have been unwantedly destroyed. This situation has caused me considerable pain and concern. After many sweet nights, I decided to take the liberty of my position as the chairman of, the elder council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to call an emergency meeting of the Ohanaeze council of elders.

“At the meeting, the security situation of the southeast was very critically examined. Elders expressed concern over the deteriorating security and social and economic conditions in the zone. many school leavers including graduates spend so many years looking for employment without success. Many businesses have collapsed due to a lack of infrastructure such as power. The elders resolved that the solution to this problem does not lie in bloodshed.

“For the first time in our history, we witnessed Igbos killing innocent Igbos for no just cause. When we recall that Igbos lost over two million people during the civil war I see no reason why we should shed more blood in Igboland. I plead with our people to allow peace to reign by ensuring that the elections in the Southeast are peaceful.”

“The elders believe that the solution to this is not by killing or bloodshed but in peaceful discussions and negotiations. The elders therefore unanimously resolved to hold a peace summit. The peace summit will allow the youths to air their grievances and I promise on behalf of the council of elders to resolve the opportunity to air their lives grievances and I promise on behalf of the council of elders to resolve the problems to the best of my ability.

BIAFRA NEWS : No sit-at-home during elections -IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra has condemned the incessant attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission in some parts of the South-East, especially within Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The pro-Biafran group also denied directing any sit-at-home in the South-East during the election period, urging residents to disregard the rumoured order making the rounds by the Simon Ekpa faction.

In a statement on Monday, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claimed that those attacking INEC facilities were primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and the Eastern Security Network.

The group insisted that they had no interest in the Nigeria election, adding that its only demand is a referendum date to decide their political, social and economic future.

It said, “IPOB condemns the recent attacks on INEC offices and staff in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State. The criminal gangs operating within Ihiala LGA and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu LGA, Imo State are primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and ESN operatives.

“We maintain that we have no interest in the selection process called Nigeria election. Hence, we refrained from making any statement concerning the jamboree. Our only demand is a referendum date for us to decide our political, social and economic future either in a united Nigeria or independent Biafra nation. 

“Anybody linking IPOB to the malicious sit-at-home order must be very ignorant. IPOB has its own channels to disseminate information, through its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, or through an official IPOB memo signed by the Head of the directorate of state of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Chika Edoziem. Any IPOB public information that is not from the above-mentioned channels should be disregarded.

“We urge our people not to pay attention to any fake information linking IPOB to criminal activities of infiltrators and collaborators. IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives will make Biafraland very uncomfortable to criminal gangs paid to intimidate our people and blackmail our peaceful movement. Nigeria security agencies who have been aiding, abetting and supporting these criminals recruited and funded by politicians must steer clear because we will unleash our venom on those who want to blackmail IPOB.

“The task ahead is enormous, and our enemies are relentlessly exploiting every means to destroy IPOB through this election, but we won’t allow them to continue in their obnoxious plan to destroy IPOB and ESN operatives and derail our freedom march.

“The attacks on INEC facilities within this period are not supported by IPOB, because that will not add any positive value to our struggle. We are only seeking Biafra freedom through peaceful means and not through violence.”

BIAFRA NEWS : FAKE NEWS ALERT, Viral letter from Finnish PM threatening to arrest Simon Ekpa, IPOB disciple, is false

 

A viral letter on social media claims that the Finnish government has threatened to arrest Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Recently, videos emerged on Facebook of Ekpa pronouncing a sit-at-home order in the eastern states of the country from February 23 to 28.

— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí  (@ogundamisi) February 13, 2023

Peace mediation? Finland is an active host to a Terrorist who has been directing attacks in South East Nigeria and issuing instruction to restrict the rights of citizens to free movement.
Your government is paying lip service to Peace by your continued protection of Simon Ekpa. pic.twitter.com/n7PQ74eMQB

— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí  (@ogundamisi) February 16, 2023

“On the 23rd day of February 2023, there will be a sit-at-home. On the 24th day of February 2023, there will be a lockdown in the entire Biafra territory. On the 25th day of February 2023, Biafra land will be under lock and key. On the 26th of February 2023, Biafra land will be sealed and will be under the lock of key, there will be no movement of chicken. On the 27th of February 2023, Biafra land will be under total lock and key. On the 28th of February 2023, Biafra land will be under lock and key,” Ekpa said in a broadcast.

“I want Biafrans to understand that these particular dates and days are still subject to review, review in the sense that the sit at home may be called off at any point in time. In addition to the affirmation dates, there will be an imposition of curfew on two of those days – on the 24th and 25th of February 2023. In addition to the sit-at-home, there will be a six-to-six curfew. 

I tell you this & is a promise: There is no enemy of this country that will ever succeed. The worst fruitless struggle is that which is targeted against Nigeria pic.twitter.com/NbW7NvodSf

— Adamu Garba II (@adamugarba) February 16, 2023

The tweet had 98.8k views, 510 likes and 176 retweets.

Some news sites also published reports alleging that the letter came from the Finnish government.

When the community decides to cook for you, you will not be able to finish the food. Simon Ekpa has been issued a warning by the Finnish Government.

Obidients  pic.twitter.com/R12ZwEkJ0j

— Damian. (@BigChiefDamian) February 16, 2023

Patiently waiting to see what route Simon Ekpa will take, Finland gives 48 Hours to him to reverse Sit-At-Home Order Or Face International Terrorism. pic.twitter.com/0DEazWPX2U

— Nwaada Ọlụchi Your data plug. (@Ada_di_ora_mma) February 16, 2023

“Finland’s prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen is not the lady to mess around with. Simon Ekpa you are in serious trouble, you can ask the US government,” said another Twitter user.

Finland’s Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen is not the lady to mess around with.
Simon Ekpa you are in serious trouble, you can ask the U.S government. pic.twitter.com/B3KnQbrfE8

— Don  (@mgbikss) February 16, 2023

But did the Finnish government author the viral letter?

In a statement sent to TheCable, Ima Edem, media officer to the Finnish government, said the letter was not from the country.

“The letter purporting to be signed by the Prime Minister of Finland and currently circulating widely in the media does not originate from the Finnish government,” she said.

“We have reported the Twitter message, with which this fake letter was originally distributed, and asked Twitter to remove it.”

The viral letter threatening Ekpa with arrest and charges of international terrorism is not from the Finnish government.

“Simon Ekpa is on his way to Nigerian Prison. The Finnish authorities are after him. He’s now under global surveillance I tell you this & is a promise: There is no enemy of this country that will ever succeed. The worst fruitless struggle is that which is targeted against Nigeria,” he tweeted.

Simon Ekpa is on his way to Nigerian Prison. The Finnish authorities are after him. He’s now under global surveillance

The presidential and national assembly elections are slated to hold on February 25.

A few days after the video emerged on social media, a letter purportedly from the Finnish government surfaced on social media, warning the IPOB spokesperson to withdraw the sit-at-home order.

The letter allegedly signed by Sanna Marin, Finnish prime minister, and dated February 15 2023, claimed that Ekpa would be arrested and charged with international terrorism if the order is not reversed within 48 hours.

“There will be an imposition of curfew on all federal roads in the following areas: all federal roads leading to Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo state.

“I want Biafrans to understand that on these days mentioned, it will be an open war between Biafra and Nigeria because we are fighting to protect our life, our property, our villages, our cultures and values. So, anybody who the Nigerian government send to come and fight Biafra, we will engage you.”

.@simon_ekpa continues to use Finland as a base to destabilise Nigeria, particularly the South Eastern part of Nigeria. He's directly supervising violent insurrection.
Petitions to @TPKanslia and @EUinNigeria are being ignored and @GeoffreyOnyeama isn't raising same with the EU. pic.twitter.com/tBTQKg8yYb

FG meets Finland, seeks end to Biafra agitator incitement

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has met with Finnish Ambassadors as part of efforts to bring to book, and put an end to incitement of the Nigerian-Finnish lawyer and Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa.

In his remarks at the meeting held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zubairu Dada said Ekpa’s action is fast becoming a threat to the forthcoming election, which the Federal Government must not take lightly

He called on the Finnish Government to do everything possible within the purview of the law to stop him from inciting further violence.

Zubairu said while Ekpa is in the comfort of his house in Finland, he issues orders to his teeming followers who consequently embark on killings, maimings and burning and other destructive activities.

“The most disturbing aspect is the fact that he is living in the comfort of his home in your country while dishing out these very dangerous orders to his followers not to allow these elections to hold. And that is threatening the peace of the southeastern part of Nigeria.

“Well, the conduct of peaceful elections in the south eastern parts of the country, and that is why we thought of the EU representative who, of course, has labored all these while and whose representatives are already on ground to monitor the elections.

“It’s important to get to know that I mean this These elections are being threatened by the actions of someone and that something needs to be done immediately, to address the situation. This in essence is why we thought it was important for us to have this discussion with you, so as to let you know our concerns and the displeasure of the Government of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria on this very unhealthy development,” Ambassador Zubairu noted.

The Minister thereafter played one of the audio tracks released by the Biafra agitator for the Finnish Ambassadors to further prove his points.

“We thought it was important for us to have this chat with you to let you know that, of course, he’s living in the comfort of his home there in Finland and we know that we have been in touch with your good self.

“We’ve had some time to ensure that we arrest this situation but it appears the situation is getting out of hand. And we’re saying enough is enough. We should let you know, in very strong terms that it’s high time you really mean and back Nigeria with the quest that something be done immediately because he threatens the forthcoming elections.

BIAFRA NEWS : Any attack against Igbos during elections will be reciprocated – IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has warned against attacking Igbos during the forthcoming 2023 elections.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, warned that the group would reciprocate any attack on Igbos during the forthcoming elections.

In a statement, Powerful said IPOB would not stand by and allow anybody to threaten or attack Igbos during the elections.

According to Powerful: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to a threat from a small village Monarch in Yoruba Land to the effect that they will deal with non-indigenes, especially Ndigbo who doesn’t vote in the upcoming elections according to the wish of the monarch. This sort of threat tells you all you need to know about the Nigerian selection process, which they like to call an election.

“IPOB as a freedom movement do reaffirm our non-recognition and or participation of (in) the Nigerian electoral process because the results do not represent the will of the people, and this is why an idiot somewhere will have the gumption to threaten what they called non-indigenes and the Igbo nation in particular. While we Biafrans await a date for Referendum, nobody should threaten Ndigbo and Biafrans residing temporarily in other parts of Nigeria for any reason.

“IPOB want to state unequivocally that any attack in any part of Nigeria on the Biafran people or the Igbo Nation or their properties on account of the choice of individuals to participate and vote according to their conviction during this so-called election will be met with adequate and commensurate action.

“We urge men and women of good conscience in the North and West to caution their traditional rulers and politicians who want to use Ndigbo and Biafrans as scapegoats in this skewed election process to be very careful and retrace their steps. Gone are the days when Ndigbo will be threatened and intimidated during elections. As long as Biafrans have not been given the opportunity to exit Nigeria via a referendum, IPOB will not stand by and watch anyone Nigerian or non-Nigerian to threaten Biafrans or carry out such threats against us and get away with it.

“Even as IPOB do not wish to be drawn into the ZOO politics, nobody has the right to threaten Ndigbo or attempt to compel them to vote for a particular party or candidate. Any Biafran who wants to vote in this election has the right to vote for any party or candidate of his/her choice, and nobody should direct or threaten them to vote for a particular party in their community or state. If anyone threatens to attack Ndigbo and Biafrans or non-indigenes residents in your place, be rest assured that the people being attacked will not sit and watch their property and life being destroyed and will activate their right to Self Defence.

“We are urging Ndigbo, Biafrans and non-indigenes everywhere to be prepared to defend their property, family and their own lives during and after this election period. Do not allow anyone to use you or your family as a sacrificial lamb this time around.

“It is very imperative that we remind those who think highly of themselves and believe they will resort to violence and attack Biafrans that they do not have the monopoly of violence. Until Referendum is conducted and Biafrans exit Nigeria, those who have the habit of threatening and attacking Ndigbo must understand that it will not be business as usual this time around because their lives also will be in danger when they attack others.

“These nitwits believe that Biafrans are soft targets to threaten and attack at will well they should know that it will not be so this time around. These morons never threatened fulani not vote for any other party except their own party and their own person but rather directed their misguided outbursts against Biafrans and Indigbo. We dare them to attack NDIGBO and Biafrans this time around and see what will happen.”

Powerful urged Igbos to defend themselves “as long as Nigeria forced and kept us into this unwanted contraption, we are advising Biafrans to be fully ready to meet the coming challenge squarely and unwaveringly.”

BIAFRA NEWS : After Troops Destroyed IPOB Shrines, Simon Ekpa Threatens 2023 Elections in Igboland

 

Days after the Nigerian Armed Forces launched a massive attack on and destroyed the shrines of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), a factional leader of the  group, Simon Ekpa, has reiterated his threat to frustrate and stop the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections in Igboland.

Troops in joint operations have in recent weeks sustained a massive onslaught on the terrorists and destroyed their strongholds across the southeast.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, in a recent briefing confirmed that in one of the operations, after a gun duel, the military destroyed IPOB shrines as well as posters with the inscription “No Election. Ekpa, who operates from Finland, threatened to impose a curfew and ban election in 31 ‘Biafra Provinces.’

The IPOB ‘publicist’ in the video broadcast said that the curfew would be implemented at all federal roads leading to Okigwe, Owerri, Orlu, Abakaliki and Enugu metropolis, prior, during and after the presidential election, billed for February 25.

Ekpa, in the 8-minute TikTok video, threatened that IPOB ‘militia’ will not allow the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to smoothly conduct the presidential election in the South East.

He threatened that there would not be elections in Enugu, Aba, Owerri, Orlu, Awka, Auchi, Benin, Warri, Asaba, Umuahia, Okigwe, Onitsha and across the entire 31 ‘provinces’ of ‘Biafraland.’

Ekpa, in the video clip, further said: “On the 23rd of February 2023, there will be a sit-at-home. On the 24th of February, there will be a lockdown in the entire Biafra territory. On the 25th of February, Biafraland will be under lock and key.

“On the 26th of February, Biafraland will be sealed and under lock and key. The same thing will happen on the 27th and 28th of February too. The particular dates are however subjects to review, as they can be called off at any time.”

Meanwhile, an intelligence source told  that Simon Ekpa is a deranged person who deployed his social media platforms for extortions.

The top security source, who pleaded anonymity, said major security measures have been taken to ensure hitch-free elections in 2023.

“That chap, Simon Ekpa is a deranged person who just boasts in an attempt to defraud people in the name of the Biafra Liberation Movement. He will soon meet the same fate that befalls his boss, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in detention.

“The current security strategies put in place have helped in the arrest of some suspects and eliminated notorious terrorists during confrontations with the security operatives.

“While the police are the lead agency in the electoral matters, other services including military, paramilitary, response and intelligence agencies are providing the required support to ensure free, fair election in secured environments throughout the federation,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Babagana Monguno, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor and the inspector-general of police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, have also assured Nigerians of safe and rancour-free elections.

 reports that the trio made their commitment this week during a visit by the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to the NSA.

Monguno said although there were issues confronting the polity, he, however, said agitations geared towards the conduct of 2023 should be dispelled as the election will go on without any rancour.

He said the security outfits have put in place measures to ensure that Nigerians exercise their franchise without fear.

“We have done a lot to put things in place. We have had meetings with INEC, Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES) which I chair. I know what we have put on the ground.

“All of us here who are the managers of securing the process know our responsibilities and we are not in any doubt,” he said.

He also dispelled illusions by agents of fake news and misinformation that the elections would not hold.

“Every Nigerian that will go out to exercise their franchise will do that in a secure atmosphere.

“I have confidence in the security architecture as well as intelligent reports from them and they have assured us. The remaining 17 days before the elections will be an intense period for us and I know that all security agencies are equal to the task,” he added.

Also, Irabor said the armed forces have been monitoring the electioneering process and polity closely.

Irabor assured that the Armed Forces will support the police as the lead agency handling the electioneering process.

He pledged the commitment of the Armed Forces to ensuring security during the polls.

More so, IGP Alkali Baba, while admitting to the issues of crime and criminality in certain states of the federation, said it will work hard to tame all the people behind the violent agitation.

On his part, the INEC chairman lauded the NSA for convening the high-level security meeting.

He said with just 17 days to the 2023 elections, the meeting is coming at a critical moment.

“We welcome the assurances by the NSA and the Chief of Defence Staff/Inspector General of Police that the security and intelligence agencies are prepared for the election to proceed as scheduled.”

For the commission, he said preparation for the election has gone far.

Yakubu said most of the sensitive and non-sensitive materials are already in various locations nationwide.