Nigeria Military Method of Investigation, shame of monumental proportion that defy Every logic and reason

 Nigeria Military Method of Investigation, shame of monumental proportion that defy Every logic and reason

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned comments credited to the Nigerian Armed Forces in which it blamed the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for the crimes in the South East region.

It urged the Army to listen to President Muhammadu Buhari, who at the recent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) conference urged the Nigerian military to boost its strategic intelligence gathering capacity and infrastructure.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said it was a shame that a nation’s military could depend on primitive conjectures and unscientific methods to carry out its constitutional responsibilities to Nigerians.

It recalled that about a week, IPOB, had in a statement, alleged that some Fulani herdsmen were planning to attack some towns in Anambra and Imo states.

HURIWA said the secessionist group accused Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma of being behind the planned attacks, urging concerned residents to be vigilant and resist his antics.

It said the civil society community had watched with shock and embarrassment that the Nigerian Armed Forces had failed to activate intelligence gathering and capacity for prompt, transparent, open and verifiable investigative activities to ascertain the real suspects of the violence that had engulfed the country.

Onwubiko lamented that the country had witnessed killings and attacks on strategic national security infrastructure, which he said, amounted to terrorism of the highest calibre in the South East, but the Armed Forces ascribed all the crimes and violence to the IPOB.

“We are patriotic Nigerians, who believe in the sovereignty of the country, but we are saddened and disappointed that an Army that the nation has invested trillions of United States dollars on to set up in many years could sit in their offices far away from a crime scene and guess which groups or persons committed a crime even without forensic investigation.

“This is an embarrassment and a shame of monumental proportions that defy logic and good reasoning. We want our Armed forces to wear their thinking caps and start doing proper soldiering built upon intelligence and forensics as obtainable in civilised climes. “ he added.

Starvation: Nigeria's Unchanged War Strategy

  Starvation: Nigeria's Unchanged War Strategy

During the years of the civil war between Nigeria and Biafra (1967-1970), the then Nigerian government under the military dictatorship of General Yakubu Gowon, in its desperation to successfully win the almost lost war, reportedly resorted to the criminal application of food blockade. 

There was starvation policy adopted against Biafran civilians with worst effects on the children, as the war progressed. It was a strategy floated, to weaken and gruesomely kill Biafrans. Unfortunately for them however, this heinous policy failed to dampen the will of the people as Biafrans yet live even till date. They could not be subdued. Nigeria, as a country, most disappointedly, has not yet learnt anything from that historical experience.

In the past fifty four (54) years, this strategy has been the in-thing. It has persisted as a policy against the Biafran people. All land borders, leading to the Southern part from the Northern region, are presently closed, bringing enormous hardship upon the people. Businesses are being stiffled to ensure the triggering off of hyper-inflation and hunger across the land.

Few days ago, Nnamdi Kanu's lead counsel, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, raised an alarm concerning the starvation of his client (Nnamdi Kanu), the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), currently in detention. He is equally being tortured by the officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), whose custody, he has been. The report had it that the IPOB leader was being denied food and water for a period of three good days. And to worsen the situation, routine medical attention was equally denied him, all being aimed at forcing him into submission. This is taking place against a subsisting court order which earlier instructed the DSS  not to maltreat him in anyway.

This is barbaric and is capable of igniting a total breakdown of law and order. It is therefore necessary that all those concerned, be urgently cautioned against this brazen act of lawlessness. "A stitch in time, saves nine".

Godswill Leeleebari

Reporting for Family Writers Press International

Feed The Orphans - Nnamdi Kanu Tells IPOB

 Feed The Orphans - Nnamdi Kanu Tells IPOB

The Indigenous people of Biafra Ivory Coast chapter on the 5TH of December 2021 visited Orphanage home in Abobo Abidjan. The National coordinator, Mazi Anelechukwu Marcel Onwukaike (Ado) told Family Writers Press International that their visit to the orphanage home is part of the instruction of the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to IPOB worldwide “Our visit to Villages d'Enfants SOS Abobo today is part of IPOB tradition and also, special instruction from our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”                               

                                                

“Our leader from prison directed IPOB Ivory Coast to make sure we feed the less privileged this Christmas season.” We are here as part of IPOB tradition and the instruction of our leader. Although, this is not our first time of visiting SOS, it is our tradition every year to visit those in difficulties and SOS is part of the family we visit”

When reached to the management, a lady who identified herself as “Tanti SOS” thanked IPOB for remembering them, she encouraged IPOB family not to be far from them. Speaking in French but translated in English, she said .. “the children are very happy today” “IPOB is part of us and we are part of them” 

“We encourage them to come and visit us always” “We appreciate the food items they brought for the children and we encourage other organisations to learn from IPOB generosity.” She concluded 

Cash and Publish Brown envelope journalists spoiling Nigerian media: U.S. Ambassador

 Cash and Publish Brown envelope journalists spoiling Nigerian media: U.S. Ambassador

Brown envelope journalists are ruining Nigeria’s media by eroding the public’s trust in the media, says the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard.

“Brown envelope journalism undermines the public’s trust in the media, erodes journalistic integrity, and defeats the media’s ability to play a transparent oversight role over government actions,” said the U.S. envoy.

Brown envelope is derived from cash inducements hidden in brown envelopes and given to journalists during press briefings.

According to Ms Leonard, one of the challenges that democracies worldwide face is an “unfortunate, pervasive lack of trust in the media.”

She decried financial inducement of journalists, saying that the “practice corrodes the institutional position of the media as what we refer to as the “Fourth Estate,” or one of our pillars of democracy.

Ms Leonard also urged Nigerian media to leverage their right to press freedom by countering propaganda and disinformation through regular and impartial fact-checking.

Speaking during a town hall meeting hosted by the Nigerian Guild of Editors on Thursday in Lagos, the U.S. ambassador said a team approach was needed to help improve public trust in the media.

The media-focused meetings and two-day workshops for over 200 editors will take place in turns in the six geopolitical zones across the country is supported by the U.S. embassy in Nigeria.

It was themed ‘Agenda Setting for Sustainable Democratic Culture’.

The U.S. ambassador also said access to accurate, unbiased information was critical to democracy.

“It ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Information that is publicly accessible to all ensures that elected representatives uphold their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those who elected them,” the U.S. envoy further noted.

She noted that the Nigerian media could ensure that citizen voices were heard, which might help reverse voter apathy.

“Too often Nigerian elections are personality-based and lose focus on critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and lack of health care,” Ms Leonard stressed, adding that the media could hold the candidates accountable for discussing issues.

The U.S. envoy added that media coverage of elections could encourage more turnout if all outlets focused on the issues that affected the daily lives of constituents.

“Patronage politics, corruption, inequality, and the failure of many democratic governments to deliver for their citizens fuel public and media doubts about the democratic model, causing them to lose hope and accept the status quo as normal,” she stated.

The U.S. ambassador urged the media to pay attention not just to society’s problems but also to possible solutions.

“When you uncover stories that others have tried to hide or deny, inevitably prosecutions follow, and accountability is attained through the voice of the people at the ballot box,” Ms Leonard explained.

According to her, most vicious trolls on the internet are shielded by anonymity.

The ambassador disclosed that the U.S. recently created a new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to fight back against disinformation, stand up for internet freedom and reduce the misuse of surveillance technology.

“Too often, technology is being used to silence dissent and prosecute citizens – and democracies must answer the call to fight back against disinformation, stand up for internet freedom, reduce the misuse of surveillance technology, and establish standards of responsible conduct in cyberspace,” stated Ms Leonard. “Democracy works at its best where there is a multiplicity of voices from broad segments of society which represent every race, gender and ethnicity addressing a plethora of issues from access to opportunity, health, and prosperity.”

(NAN)

Nnamdi Kanu's life in danger As Nigeria’s Secret Police, DSS Takes His blood 21 Times, deny him food and medication– Brother

 Nnamdi Kanu's life in danger As Nigeria’s Secret Police, DSS Takes His blood 21 Times, deny him food and medication– Brother

Prince Kanu, younger brother to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have withdrawn food from his brother in their custody after taking his blood sample for more than 21 times.

Kanu is currently detained in the facility of the DSS on the order of Justice Binta Nyako-led Federal High Court in Abuja on the treasonable felony charges preferred against him by the Nigerian government.

However, Prince revealed the alleged sufferings the DSS subjected his brother to after his visit to him on Monday.

In a Twitter post seen by press, Prince also mentioned that Kanu had also been denied his medical report, despite his blood samples taken 21 times.

Prince was on a routine visit to the detained separatist leader.

The pro-Biafra leader regretted the action of the DSS despite several court pronouncements ordering the Nigerian government to make available to him the medical report.

The statement by the younger brother partly read, “Just visited the Alpha Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Department of State Security Services Abuja. During my interaction with him, he told me that he has been denied food since yesterday.

“As if that wasn’t enough, DSS had also denied him his medical report after taking his blood for more than 21 times. They have continuously disobeyed all the court orders.”

In the same post, the Special Counsel to Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, also condemned the dastardly action of the secret police for treating his client inhumanely.

Ejimakor wrote, "Starvation of a detainee is an act of TORTURE. It's illegal and immoral to boot. Any nation that condones it has diminished its sovereign right of incarceration."

Source

IPOB under Oath and the command and control system of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

 IPOB under Oath and the command and control system of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu 

Who is an IPOB member? Who is a Biafran? The above have been confusing of late. I have read some people saying that DOS must be subject to Biafrans and not Biafrans to DOS. I think there is a mix up here. I think some people are now immortalizing their ignorance to the extent that they have shut the door of understanding in them, and the key cast into the deepest ocean. We can't deny the fact that every Igbo, Efik, Ijaw, Ogoni etc are all Biafrans. We are all indigenous persons of Biafra, but there is something we are not understanding.

IPOB is a freedom movement. IPOB is not a democracy or democratic movement. IPOB is a quasi-military movement that move with command and control. IPOB is subject to one central command. IPOB has Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as the leader and the DOS as next in command. Without MNK, it is the DOS. That you accept that you are a Biafran doesn't mean IPOB leadership will be subject to you. You have nothing to say here, only to obey. The IPOB you are looking at have gone stages. This particular stage is not a time to beg or try to jeopardize our freedom because of your ignorance or foolishness. IPOB is not just a people. IPOB is a people under oath and TOTAL OBEDIENCE to command and control. IPOB started with forming IPOB family units across Biafra land, in Nigeria and all over the world. These people are in their millions. These are the people under oath to have Biafra restored. When Biafra is restored, they won't enjoy it alone. In fact, they will hand over this country to all and enthrone democracy.

Stop bragging and thinking you have what it takes to quench Biafra freedom. In this movement, there are people that respond to command and control at every time. They are the ones that make things to happen. Let me give examples. Do you remember those days Biafrans do protest in the streets of Aba, Onitsha, Asaba, Akwaibom, Igweọcha etc? How did you think those youths were gathered? Those youths are not you people ranting on social media how DOS must be subjected to you. Those youths were only called by their coordinator and they closed their shops and assembled. Those of them riding Keke did same. These guys knew the danger and still headed to the protest grounds. Of course, some of them died in the hands of Nigeria military. Some of you shouting today that DOS must be subject to you were blaming these boys then. You saw it as insanity to protest for Biafra. Today, many are still in prison while you rant.

All over the world, there are men and women contributing since 12 years ago for Biafra to come. Some pay their tithes only in IPOB. They have done even one man protest abroad for Biafra and are ready to put themselves in harm's way for freedom. There are men and women that refused being e-rats for politicians and only subscribed to IPOB media defense. They are not paid, yet use their own data to defend the struggle. Even when they feel differently, they still obey the leadership knowing fully well that the leadership knows better.

There are also ESN members. They are putting their lives in danger for our own sake. They confront fulanii herdsmen terrorists in our bushes. These men are IPOB volunteers. They are doing these things for freedom and are all subject to command and control. At this stage, IPOB members under oath to restore Biafra are enough to restore Biafra. I assure you this. Those of them ranting how DOS must listen to them will never come out this minute should there be a call for protest in any part of Biafra. But you will see them rant.

I encourage every Biafran to remain resolute. There are a lot you don't understand. We have a leader in the inside, and the leadership is doing everything necessary to have him released. Let them not fool you. If you don't understand how IPOB works, ask questions. There is no democracy in IPOB, but that doesn't mean IPOB leadership can't listen to the concerns of the people.

Elochukwu Ohagi, Philosopher, Teacher And Activist.

Writing for Family Writers Press International.

Religious Leaders Should Imbibe The True Virtues Of Spiritual Calling In Their Service To God And Humanity

 Religious Leaders Should Imbibe The True Virtues Of Spiritual Calling In Their Service To God And Humanity     

Nigerian Religious leaders most unfortunately, appear only to be in agreement with the voice of God while keeping deaf ears to the cries of their own people even in the face of horrifying social injustices. They traffic in other world theology whose main instrument centers on mind conditioning and deflection of attention from the immediate conditions of the people, with seeming far fetched promises of a better life.

In all records of history, preaching of the gospel and human rights activism have always overlapped each other in times of political oppression. Genuine preachers are known for taking to the pulpit and unmistakably speaking against the ills of oppressive governments. Most of Nigerian preachers have rather, made prophecy and tithing, the major concern of their sermons. This they disapointedly do, in addition to the magical drive for seed sowing and prosperity reaping. 

In the 1960s, and precisely the era of civil right campaigns, African-American preachers literally, transformed their pulpits into makeshift opposition podiums, from where they fired away at the institutional managers of racism and segregation. This pattern is a long thread that runs through the history of America, going back to black resistance period, especially in the late 19th century. This was when a Methodist gospel preacher and a former slave, Fredrick Douglas, methodically harnessed the biblical principles to shoot down various theories that gave legitimacy to slavery. His unwavering will and determination to build the government of his day to account, played a monumental role in the eventual emancipation proclamation and abolition of slavery in America.

It must be noted however, that African-Americans of old, went through "fire and water", to arrive at their present abode in the United States. They paid a costly price for their freedom. Although pushed to the backwaters of the society, nearly crushed by institutionalized oppression and violence, these people never strayed from the ultimate goal which has always been to venture across all known frontiers in asserting their humanity and God-given rights. They exercised such to the fullest.

At every given step of the way, their religious leaders availed themselves, with the opportunity to speak to the moral conscience of America. In a dramatic and yet effective fashion, they had always brought America to her knees with her hypocricy and had strongly confronted her with extensive reality of her creeds and actions. For instance, in the 1960s, Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, employed the usage of his religious megaphone in making the struggle for justice and freedom, a central part of the role of spiritual leadership. The roaring of his voice took their political struggle to the end zone. The interaction between the religious context and real-world struggles, clearly informed his steps. He did not only strongly preach the gospel of justice and equity, he also protested on the streets till he drew his last breath.

In like manner, Malcolm X, though a Muslim and an Islamic religious leader in his own right, precisely applied religious teachings to demolish all institutions erected against black Americans and Africans. One common factor amongst these religious leaders, was their agreement on and pursuit of the unconditional freedom of their people. Clearly, they refused to have it any other way but courageously took to the streets with their people, to keep the heat on their governments until the freedom bell rang.

Above all, the shoes they left behind, are yet there for Nigerian religious leaders especially those of Igbo extraction, to wear. To do so, they must have to elbow their way to the front burner of the restoration struggle for the Biafran nation. They must commit to using their religious platforms to bring before Buhari's inescapable view, the evils of his government, the unwarranted gruesome killings, kidnappings and imcarcerations of Igbo Biafran youths. These religious leaders should really get readily prepared to sacrifice their lives if need be, for the truth to prevail.

Written by Chima Ono

Edited by Peter Oshagwu

For Family Writers Press International