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We have just begun, IPOB threatens after commander’s killing

Published

5 years ago

April 24, 2021

Following the killing of one of the commanders of its Eastern Security Network, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra has said it has just begun its “madness”.

Earlier report is that police operatives and their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services killed IPOB’s commander known as Ikonso and six other militia members in Imo State.

The IPOB men were killed during an early morning raid on their hideout at Awomama village, Oru East Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

Reacting in a statement signed by its spokesman Emma Powerful, IPOB said, “The killing of the heroic innocent Biafrans protecting our communities and towns from Fulani terrorists herdsmen masquerading as cattle herders in cold blood is very painful.”

IPOB also threatened that the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and all those who had a hand in “this wickedness will pay dearly”.

“Uzodinma decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South East governors. Uzodinma has tried but without success to lure ESN operatives into Ebubeagu. He had made irresistible offers to them which were turned down, hence his resorting to elimination of these patriotic heroes who vowed never to betray Biafra.

“Hope Uzodinma sent a lot of emissaries to beg Ikonso and other ESN officers to join Ebubeagu security outfit. So, because of their refusal to betray Biafra agitation and our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the hopeless governor mobilized joint security forces to attack them today.

“Hope Uzodinma has murdered sleep, so he should be ready to stay awake! Fulani terrorists pretending as cattle sellers in Enugu destroyed Police van and attacked government officials on lawful duty with AK-47 but no Army, police or DSS attacked them till now. But ESN operatives defending our communities against the terrorists are being hunted like games every day. The world has kept quiet over this atrocity until we begin our own madness,” the statement partly read.

The regime of the President, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had in September 2017 outlawed IPOB and declared that the activities of the secessionist group constituted an act of terrorism and illegality.

Before then, the leader if the group, Kanu, was arrested and jailed but was later released from the Kuje Prison in Abuja after meeting bail conditions. The IPOB leader later fled the country and has been operating from overseas.

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Breaking: Senegal Lose AFCON Crown as CAF Declares Morocco Winners

Published

1 day ago

March 17, 2026

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Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal. The decision comes after extraordinary scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a retrospective 3-0 forfeit victory for the host nation.

In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.

The roots of the controversy lie in a heated moment deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the box. While the referee initially waved play away, a VAR review resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts. This sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to return to the dressing room in a protest that lasted several minutes.

The CAF Appeal Board found that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.” By leaving the field of play, Senegal was deemed to have infringed on the regulations, leading to the administrative 3-0 defeat. The ruling sets aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and confirms that the protest lodged by Morocco has been fully upheld

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NRC Confirms 26 Injured in Mid-Route Train Incident, Says Opeifa

Published

2 days ago

March 17, 2026

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Mo No fewer than 26 passengers and onboard personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries following a train incident along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor on Monday.

The incident, which occurred at about 9:16 a.m. near Asham Station, involved the KA-2 service travelling from Rigasa to Idu. According to an interim report released by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), a loud bang was heard as the power car and a trailing locomotive collided with one of the coaches.

Preliminary findings indicate that the incident may have been caused by a fault in one or more couplers, leading to a possible disconnection within the train formation. However, authorities confirmed that none of the coaches derailed.

The train had earlier departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m., arriving at Jere slightly ahead of schedule before departing a few minutes later after an additional locomotive was coupled to improve operational resilience.

Following the incident, affected components—including a locomotive, power car, and one passenger coach—were detached from the train to allow the journey to continue safely.

A total of 481 people were onboard at the time, including passengers, crew members, security personnel, vendors, cleaners, and other service providers. Of the 459 passengers booked for the trip, 429 were confirmed to have boarded.

Despite the disruption, the train resumed movement at about 9:42 a.m., arriving in Kubwa at 10:10 a.m. and terminating at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m., with an overall delay of approximately 38 minutes.

The NRC stated that injured persons included passengers, staff, and security personnel, although details of the severity of injuries were not fully disclosed.

Train services on the route were later restored the same day, with subsequent trips resuming operations, albeit with delays. The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, was onboard one of the recovery services to monitor the situation.

The corporation assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident and to prevent future occurrences.

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Update : Locomotive Detachment Triggers Abuja–Kaduna Train Incident, NSIB Investigates

Published

3 days ago

March 16, 2026

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By Sotayo Olayinka
MAR 16, 2026

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into a railway incident involving a passenger train operating along the Rigasa–Idu rail corridor after a locomotive detached and struck the rear of the train.
The incident occurred about 09:16 a.m. along the Jere–Asham section of the corridor near Asham Station in Kaduna State. The track segment where the occurrence took place lies on a downward gradient.
The train, identified as KA2, had departed Rigasa Railway Station in Kaduna at the start of its scheduled journey to Idu Railway Station in Abuja. The service operates within a scheduled window of 07:15 a.m. to 10:01 a.m.
According to details released by the Bureau, the train arrived at Jere Station at 08:52 a.m. and departed again at 08:59 a.m. for the onward journey to Abuja after a rear locomotive was attached to provide additional operational support.
However, shortly after departure from Jere, the rear locomotive became detached while the train was moving along the descending gradient toward the Asham section. The detached locomotive subsequently rolled forward and collided with the rear portion of the train, resulting in a serious operational occurrence.
At the time of the incident, the train consisted of two locomotives positioned at the front and rear, one power car, two business-class coaches and six standard passenger coaches. A total of 429 passengers were onboard, alongside 46 crew members and 24 security personnel assigned to the service.
No fatalities were recorded, though some passengers sustained injuries. Personnel from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), supported by onboard security operatives, immediately activated emergency response procedures.
Medical personnel provided first aid to injured passengers.
Following the incident, the train continued its journey and arrived at Idu Station in Abuja about 10:39 a.m., where additional assistance was provided to passengers.
Investigators from the NSIB have since begun gathering evidence and conducting technical analysis to determine the circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
The investigation will examine technical, operational and infrastructure-related factors, including train configuration, locomotive attachment systems, operational procedures and relevant operational data.
Commenting on the incident, Director-General of the Bureau, Alex Badeh Jr., expressed concern for affected passengers and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to determining the cause of the occurrence.
“This incident reminds us that every transport journey carries the trust and expectations of hundreds of people who rely on the system to move them safely to their destination.
Our thoughts are with the passengers who sustained injuries, and we commend the swift response of Nigerian Railway Corporation personnel and emergency teams who assisted those affected.
“At the Bureau, we approach every investigation with a deep sense of responsibility because behind every occurrence are real people, real families, and real consequences.
“Our team will carefully examine every relevant factor to understand what happened and to ensure that the lessons from this occurrence lead to safer railway operations across Nigeria”, he said.
The Bureau said it will work closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other relevant agencies as the investigation progresses, adding that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.