Ikpeazu and
Buratai
…Army
probing viral video, says 82 Div spokesman; PDP calls for
panel
…Police in
talks with S-East govs to mobilize leaders for intervention
…30 IPOB
members remanded over rampage in Rivers
UMUAHIA —
THE Nigerian Army, last night, said Operation Python Dance II currently ongoing
in the South East, will continue.
The Army in
a statement signed, last night, by Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier
General Sani Kukasheka Usman, asked the public not to misconstrue the
statement of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, yesterday, to mean that the
Army was totally halting the Operation Python Dance II in the South East,
including Abia State.
The
statement read: ‘’The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to
some stories in the media that it is withdrawing its troops from exercise EGWU
EKE II, crediting such information to Abia State Governor and the
General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army. This is not true. The
Nigerian Army wishes to enjoin members of the public to disregard such rumours.
‘’For the
avoidance of doubt, the Abia State Governor in his speech stated that “there
will be gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Aba and Umuahia from
tomorrow.
‘’This
should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise EGWU
EKE II. The General Officer Commanding 82 Division has not said such thing.
‘’Consequently,
we wish to state that exercise EGWU EKE II is commencing tomorrow as scheduled.
Commanders have been instructed to ensure that all hands are on deck to
commence the exercise to its logical completion.
‘’We wish to
state further that the successful completion of the exercise will dovetail into
the various states security outfits till the end of this year.
‘’Members of
the public, especially in the areas where the exercise will take place, are
please enjoined to go about their lawful businesses. We wish to also state that
we would not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the conduct of the
field training exercise through unlawful or criminal activities. ‘’Hoodlums and
criminal elements are once again warned to be law abiding and not cause any
breach of peace.
‘’We,
hereby, reiterate that our troops would conduct themselves in the best
professional manner, abide by the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct in
line with requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Any act of indiscipline by any of our personnel would be decisively dealt with.
‘’While we
enjoin all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, the Nigerian Army
urge all to support the troops as they carry out their constitutional duties
and make exercise EGWU EKE II a success.’’
Governor
Ikpeazu had earlier spoken amid reports of heavy shooting around IPOB leader,
Nnamdi Kanu’s home in Umuahia, yesterday, with about four persons feared
killed. This, however, could not be confirmed at press time.
The
announcement came as 82 Division of Nigerian Army said it is investigating a
video clip trending on social media and other platforms purportedly showing
troops humiliating some people at a check-point in Abia State.
Also,
yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, said the
police hierarchy is in touch with South-East governors, asking them to mobilize
political leaders on how to intervene in the charged security situation in the
zone.
Similarly,
Plateau State governor, Solomon Lalong, yesterday, declared a dusk-to-dawn
curfew in the state, following tension that trailed reports that an indigene
was allegedly killed by some members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in
Abia State.
Giving
security update of the state at a media briefing, Governor Ikpeazu called for
calm and urged the people of the state to go about their lawful businesses.
He
said: “Gentlemen of the press, permit me to use this medium to update my
brothers and sisters of Abia State origin, and those living and doing business
in the state on the current security situation.
“Dear
brothers and sisters, the security situation in the state in the past few days,
which led to the deployment of soldiers into our state ahead of the Operation
Python dance 11, has become of great concern to both the government and the
citizenry.
“After
several interventions, I want to inform you that by tomorrow morning (today),
there will be withdrawal of soldiers from the streets of Aba and Umuahia, apart
from the pre-existing military checkpoints at various locations in the state.
“With the
expected exit of soldiers from the streets, we must warn that we will not
tolerate agitators and protesters taking over the streets for any reason at
all.
“I will also
be meeting the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President
Mohamaudu Buhari, to discuss possible ways of relaxing the Operation Python
dance 11 in the state for now.
“Our
attention has been drawn to ugly incidences of attacks on police stations and
military posts at Aba and Umuahia and we hereby warn that we will no longer tolerate
that, and all other acts that are capable of causing insecurity in the state.
“We have
also observed illegal acts of throwing petrol bombs and setting up of bonfires
to obstruct free movements along some roads by suspected miscreants and wish to
warn that such acts should stop forthwith.
“To mischief
makers who want to use Abia as their base, let me announce to you that
henceforth, Abia will be too hot for you to carry out your wicked acts as the
Government will work with security agents to ensure the protection of lives and
properties in the state without fear or favour. There will be no hiding place
for you.
“At about
midnight yesterday, we received security reports that hoodlums and miscreants,
some of whom were allegedly brought into the state by unscrupulous individuals,
were mobilizing around Uratta Road at Aba with a view to converging at Ariaria
International Market to burn it down. Their aim was obviously to take advantage
of the security situation in the state to cripple the economy of the state and
cause widespread suffering.
“It was this
group that originated the rumours of attacks and counter-attacks around the
area and also tried to create panic to force people out of their homes to
enable them execute their evil intentions under the cover of orchestrated
crises.
“Thankfully
their plan was nipped in the bud by the combined team of soldiers and policemen
that promptly moved to the area and later positioned around Ariaria market to
protect the lives and properties of our people.
“My fellow
Abians, it is in the interest of all our citizens and residents for full and
total peace and security to return to our state immediately. No meaningful
progress can be made in an atmosphere of violence and anarchy.
“Those at
Aba are therefore advised to fully observe the current curfew in the city and
ensure that they cooperate with security agents to maintain peace and order.
“I swore to
protect lives and properties of all Abians and residents and that I must do. I,
therefore, call on all to support our efforts at making sure that lasting peace
prevails in our dear state”, Ikpeazu said.
We’re investigating trending
video—Army
In a
statement, yesterday, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division
Nigerian Army, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the command’s attention was drawn to
the video showing troops humiliating some people at a check point in Abia
State.
“The issue
is being investigated with the view to ascertain the source and the actors in
the clip. Our Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are quite clear and any
officer or soldier that infringed on any of such directive, if found guilty,
will face full wrath of the military justice system.
“We would
like to inform the public that 82 Division is also aware of the planned
misinformation and propaganda arrangement by the secessionist Indigenous People
of Biafra, IPOB.
“They intend
to churn out pre-recorded video clips aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army,
causing disaffection among the citizens of this country. They will be using
bogus, manipulated and photoshopped photographs as well as video clips.
“The public
should be wary of such mischief, scrutinize and report same to the Nigerian
Army or any of security agencies,” said Musa.
We’re talking with South East govs to
mobilize political leaders – IGP
The
Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris stated this in an interview with
State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the Vice President,
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The police
boss said that the highlight of the meeting with Vice President was to
“obviously ensure that our provision of security in the country is intact.”
Asked
whether he was monitoring events in the South-East and the strategies he had
adopted so far to restore peace, he said: “Obviously, one, is to deploy
policemen across the country. Two, we are in touch with the state governments,
trying to mobilize the political leadership to be able to intervene where
necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South-East.”
Abia CP transferred
Meantime, the
crisis in Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, has been
redeployed.
Mr. Oyebade
was replaced by Mr. Anthony Michael.
At a brief
handover ceremony, yesterday, at the Police Headquarters in Umuahia, Oyebade
said the command under his watch recorded tremendous success and wished his
successor well.
It could not
be confirmed if the commissioner’s transfer was connected with the Abia crisis
or the recent escape of some kidnap suspects from police detention at the
headquarters. The command had already dismissed six personnel in connection
with the escape of the suspects, some of whom have been rearrested.
30 IPOB members remanded
Meanwhile, a
chief magistrate’s court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday,
remanded 30 members of IPOB in prison over alleged involvement in the crisis
that rocked Oyigbo area of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The suspects
were arrested by the Police Command in the course of the incident in which two
persons died, a police Sergeant, Mr. Steven Daniel was killed and his rifle
taken away and several property damaged.
Nine of the
suspects were accused of killing Daniel, while the others are facing trial for
causing unrest and other criminal acts.
In two
separate charge sheets, PMC/1936c/2017 and PMC/1935c/2017, the accused persons
were charged with treason, murder, armed robbery, felony, unlawful assembly,
unlawful protest and other sundry crimes.
When the
matter came up in court, the charges were not read to the accused persons and
pleas were not taken because the court declined jurisdiction to entertain it.
However,
presiding chief magistrate, Amadi O. Amadi-Nna ordered the court registrar to
remit the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for legal
advice and adjourned sine die.
The defence,
Donald Loho, had urged the court to return the case file to the chief judge of
the state high court to interpret and assign the matter to an appropriate court
that has jurisdiction.
Speaking
outside the court room with journalists, the Prosecution Counsel, SP Enoch
George, said: “We came here for remand and proceedings. Naturally, the
defendants have their lawyers and they also raised legal issues that the court
does not have jurisdiction and that the court should strike out the charges and
discharge them. But we the prosecutors decided that the charge for which they
were brought to court is very heavy and weighty.
“Some of the
accused persons were charged under Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Justice
Law in Rivers State, which is murder, some were charged under Section 69, 70
which is unlawful assembly, procession and others and some of them were charged
for treasonable felony.”
PDP calls for investigation of
military brutality
In a similar
vein, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned alleged brutality by the
military against members of IPOB.
In a
statement issued yesterday by the Head, Publicity Division of the party, Chinwe
Nnorom on behalf of the National Publicity Secretary, the PDP said members of
the Nigerian military are paid to protect lives and not to humiliate the
people.
It said: The
PDP is appalled by the emergence of a video clip which has gone viral, that
shows acts of humiliation against unarmed civilians by members of the Nigerian
military. If true, it’s the depth of callousness and a further descent into the
gutter by people who are paid to protect life, property as well as the
country’s territorial integrity.
“The PDP
welcomed the initiative of the Nigerian Army to probe the issue but given the
enormity of this allegation and the respect with which we hold life, the party
hereby calls for the setting up of an independent panel of experts on human
rights to ascertain the veracity of this allegation. Where they are proven to
be true, the PDP demands that all perpetrators as well as all those connected,
however remotely, be immediately brought to justice. This would go a long way
to not only serve as a deterrent, but also reassure the international community
that Nigeria is not a jungle but a decent society where human rights are being
promoted,” the statement read in part.
Ekweremadu condemns siege, calls for
calm
Deputy
President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, condemned in strong terms the
military siege to the South East geo-political zone, noting that dialogue and
inclusion were best options in resolving the agitation in the region.
Ekweremadu,
however, called on the people of the South-East to remain calm as he and other
leaders of the region were engaging the Federal Government in meaningful
discussions to ensure that Operation Python Dance II in the zone is called off.
He said:
“The military siege to the South East is uncalled for because there is no
prevailing situation in the region to warrant it in the first place. Instead,
it is the Python Dance that appears to be creating problems and raising tension
in the region. The agitation in the South East at the moment is best resolved
by way of dialogue and a sense of inclusion. I want to assure our people that I
have been engaging the Presidency and security agencies meaningfully on the
issue. It is my hope that the Operation Egwu Eke will be called off.
“Until then,
however, I call on the military to respect the rights of citizens. The various
videos and reports of gross human rights abuses making the rounds in the social
and traditional media are nevertheless very disgusting and disheartening. They
should be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities with a view to
establishing the truth and ensuring that no human rights violator goes
unpunished.”
State Houses
of Assembly to take a stand on Nigeria’s unity
In a related
development, the Imo State House of Assembly yesterday announced that the 36
state Houses of Assembly will converge on Imo State to take a stand on the
unity of Nigeria.
Speaker, Imo
State House of Assembly, Mr. Acho Ihim, said the special session was necessary
because “Nigeria is in precarious situation.”
His words:
“We are aware of happenings in Nigeria, in Owerri, Aba and so many places that
are leading to violence. In view of this, the Imo State House of Assembly in
conjunction with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, will be
hosting a unity session which will attract all the 36 state Houses of Assembly
in Nigeria. All the speakers will sit here, in the Imo state House of Assembly,
on the 28 September 2017, to do the needful in condemning hate speech in
Nigeria. We are going to talk about the very prevalent and precarious situation
Nigeria finds itself, emanating from all parts of Nigeria, with the traces of
kidnappings, killings.’’
El-Rufai,
Kaduna CP assure Igbo of security
Amid brewing
tension and fears of reprisal attacks in the North, Kaduna State Governor,
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Commissioner of Police, Agyoleh Abel, have assured
Igbo resident in the state to go about their businesses as necessary measures
have been taken to ensure their security.
While
Governor El-Rufai gave the assurance in a statement, the commission-er of
police spoke after meeting Igbo and Yoruba leaders as well as touring some
streets with promin-ent Igbo businesses where he addressed Igbo traders.
Excerpts
from Governor El Rufai’s statement, signed by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan
read:
“The Kaduna
State Government wishes to assure all residents of their safety. The state
government and the security agencies have taken appropriate action to secure
lives and property. Therefore, every citizen should go about their lawful
duties, without let or hindrance.
“The
security situation is under constant review, including events that have taken
place in other parts of the country. Our diverse communities will not be
engulfed by negative conduct that has taken place elsewhere.
“The Kaduna
State Government urges everyone to resist the temptation to take the law into
their hands.
“There
should be no recourse to self-help in Kaduna State. It will not be tolerated
and will be punished accordingly. In times like these, every citizen is
expected to do their duty to uphold peace and harmony.
“Government
wishes to reiterate that it will not tolerate hate speech and incitement. Members
of the public should verify information before they share. Kaduna State is
peaceful.
“No
community or market is under attack, and robust efforts are being applied to
maintain the peace.”
South-east govs should resolve IPOB’s
Biafra agitation – Fayose
On his part,
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, said South-East governors are in
the best position to resolve the agitation for Biafra by IPOB.
The Ekiti
governor said it was northern governors who intervened when Arewa youth groups
issued a quit notice to the Igbo, hence, same should be replicated in the
South-East.
“For
whatever reasons, the FG should have allowed the South-East governors to
interface with Kanu and resolve issues instead of this show of force
“If northern
governors were allowed to resolve the Arewa youths threat that Igbo should
leave the North, why not allow South-East governors to resolve Kanu’s?” he
queried.
Tension in Jos as Lalong slams
dusk-to-dawn curfew
Meanwhile,
there was tension yesterday evening at the Jos City centre, especially the
Ahmadu Bello Way as well as other surrounding communities of Apata, Chobe,
Katako all in Jos North local government area as residents were seen hurriedly
locking up shops and some vacating their homes for reasons no one could
actually say.
The panicky
movements generated many versions of rumours, causing fears among residents and
making security agents to patrol the affected areas and other troubled spots in
the city.
Unconfirmed
reports say some people had lost their lives in the pandemonium but security
sources debunked such reports, saying “no one died as a result of the panic.”
According to
a resident of Apata, Chijioke Nna, a trader at the Terminus Market, “I saw
people hurriedly locking their shops and I also locked mine. On getting
to the road to get Keke to my house in Chobe, I discovered the area was
deserted and passengers were stranded so people started running along the
routes to their houses to avoid any unpalatable situation.”
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