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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: Appeal Court Rules VIO Cannot Stop or Impound Motorists’ Vehicles

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the October 4, 2024 judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja barring the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (popularly called VIO) from further stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles on the road and imposing fines on motorists.

In a judgment on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services.

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Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the appeal was without merit. She awarded a cost of N1million against the appellant and in favour of the respondent, a rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

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Breaking : Ex-CDS Musa Gets Tinubu’s Nod for Defence Minister Role

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu has nominated a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter sent to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, announcing Musa as the replacement for Mohammed Badaru, who resigned from the position on Monday due to health reasons.

In his letter to the Senate, the President expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to lead the defence ministry and strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.

The nomination was confirmed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement added, “General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

“Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

“General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career.

“His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

“In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

“In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.”

Newsthumb had earlier reported that Badaru, who was appointed Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023, cited ill health in his resignation letter.

A statement by Onanuga added that Tinubu had accepted the resignation and thanked him for his service to the nation.

The statement further noted, “President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.

“His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.”

Badaru recently came under criticism following a BBC Hausa interview in which he said some terrorists could not be targeted because their forest hideouts were too dense for bombs to reach.

Stephen Angbulu
With three years of experience, Stephen, The PUNCH correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons

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Global Powers Back Nigeria’s War on Terror — Ribadu Confirms Support from US, UK, France

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2025

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The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday disclosed that the international community was standing firmly with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, with the United States, France and the United Kingdom already providing technical support to ongoing security operations.

Ribadu spoke in Kontagora, Niger State, during a visit to the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Northern Region, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, alongside distraught parents of pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School, Papiri.

He said President Bola Tinubu was deeply troubled by the incident and had directed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe return of the abducted children.

Speaking to Christian leaders and parents who gathered at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Ribadu said: “This is a painful period for all of us but I want to assure you: we will rescue your children. The President is deeply concerned and has directed that everything necessary must be done.”

The NSA, accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and CAN Northern Region Chairman, Joseph Hayab, said operations had been intensified to secure the children’s release.

He conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and resolve, noting that the President had suspended official engagements, including a scheduled trip, to focus on the matter.

Ribadu added that the Federal Government was taking full responsibility for restoring security in the affected communities.

He commended Bishop Yohanna for his leadership and calmness in a period of deep anxiety, assuring that Nigeria was not alone in the battle against terror.

“The whole world stands with us. This evil will not prevail. Your children will come back safely. That is our solemn promise,” he said.

Ribadu stressed that rescue operations would not slow down until the pupils were safely reunited with their families.

Earlier, Bishop Yohanna expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the visit, saying it had renewed hope among families traumatised by the attack. He noted that the show of support demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting citizens.

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