Biafra members kills police

Suspected members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have thrown two policemen into River Niger, and stabbed another officer to death.A police officer, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the protesters attacked some officers at the bridge, overpowered two of them, before throwing them into the river.“We have been able to retrieve one of them from the river. He was brought out in an unconscious mood and rushed to the hospital, however, the second victim is still missing,” he said. Uche Okelue, a witness, said the fracas broke out after a police team threw teargas at the protesters who were demanding for the independence of Biafra, in an effort to disperse them.
“The police used teargas on the MASSOB people as they were protesting along Anwai Road this morning, so the people got angry and attacked the policemen with knives and broken bottles,” he said.

“They caught one policeman, beat him up before stabbing him to death; it was a fierce confrontation as everyone ran in different directions.”

The protesters were said to have assembled along Mammy Market Junction on Nnebisi Road in Asaba, Anwai Road, still in Asaba, and around the River Niger bridge.

A witness said some persons, including policemen, who sustained injuries in the fracas, were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, a claim that was corroborated by a nurse in the hospital.

Ben Onwordi, another witness, that another clash occurred between the police and MASSOB members at the popular Mammy Market Junction on Nnebisi Road, Asaba.

“As the group were protesting, the police patrol vehicle came behind them and tried to disperse them but the MASSOB people resisted and in the process they clashed and many people were injured.

“The MASSOB people damaged the police patrol vehicle, vandalising the windscreen and doors before all of them fled into different directions.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Police Command in Delta, Charles Mouka, said the police were still monitoring the situation.

“We are still waiting for information on the incident. As I speak to you now, we are in the field, so I cannot say anything for now,” Mouka said

Biafra 49th Anniversary: MASSOB Gives JTF 48hrs To Free Detained Members

Nnewi- Sequel to the preparation for its 49 years celebration of Biafra Republic, (1967 to 2016), on Monday, some members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, were yesterday arrested by the joint Task Force, a combined team of Military Police State Security Services, Civil Defence and vigilante groups.
The man-hunt for MASSOB members in Anambra state led to the arrest of four members and a furniture maker, Eddy Nwaosisi.

It was gathered that the JTF stormed the workshop of the furniture maker along the Awka Road, Onitsha, at about 5.00am yesterday in search of the Nnewi South Regional Administrator of MASSOB, Chief Anthony Nwodo who is also a furniture maker there.

The JTF was said to have on arrival ransacked the entire work place and arrested the Owner, Nwosisi, whisked him away as they could not get the MASSOB chieftain and made away with some working tools.

However, the lucky Nnewi South Regional Administrator for MASSOB, Mr Nwodo while reacting to his planned arrest said “we are given the JTF 48 hours to release Nwosisi who is not even our member and four others they arrested in various places”.

“They know I work there as a furniture maker and stormed there at odd time to arrest me and because they did not see me they arrested my furniture maker boss who is not our member. They are arresting our members to frustrate our 49th celebration of Biafra existence which comes up on Monday. It is a yearly event and we are not going to disturb anybody, as people would still go on with their lawful businesses.

“It is God that made me a freedom fighter and I am not a criminal. Our leader, Chief Ralph Uwazulike is God -sent to liberate Igbo people and we should support him en masse. The JTF came with four army patrol vehicles and four police patrol vehicles to look for me. Let them invite me I will come, but let Nwosisi be released within 48 hours to avoid incuring our wrath” he warned.

He said MASSOB members arrested were Emeka Chukwudi, Okoye, John Okoma, Wilfred Nwachukwu and the Nwosisi who is not their member:

Biaffra crises

as at 1;30 pm today at assaba capital of delta state 6 biaffra members were short dead . from new updates the agitators stabbed a soldier to death which led to the killing of six 0f the men. location : close to coka junction . more info will be realised on more hapnings

                   

the Niger Delta Avengers stricks again

  

THE strike teams of Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, in the early hours of today,Saturday, struck in Bayelsa State, blowing up trunk line belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC

The militant group  said in a tweet “At About 2.15am on Saturday the @NDAvengers blow up Nembe 1, 2 and 3 Brass to Bonny Trunk Line belonging to Agip and Shell.”

Soldiers invaded Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom, at about 1.52 am, this morning and were still laying siege to the community as at 8.00 am

According to vanguard,The soldiers, who came in no fewer than seven gunboats, allegedly beat up residents, including an octogenarian community leader, Chief Atiti Mala, with the butt of a gun. “They were asking the helpless villagers to produce former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and members of the Niger Delta Avengers,” a youth leader told Vanguard on phone.

Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who confirmed the attack on Oporoza, said: “Information available to me is that the military invaded Oporoza again in the early hours of today. As I am speaking to you, they are still there molesting people.”

“They have arrested many persons and villagers have fled into the bush, this is wrong, they are going to worsen issues with what they are doing. I posted on Facebook that they invaded Oporoza and a military called me to tell me that they would deal with me.

“We are not safe, we have said it over and over that Gbaramatu people are not synonymous with Niger Delta Avengers, they should leave my people alone. If they want to kill me, let them go ahead, but I will continue to say the truth, why are they harassing my people, they should harass the militants whose activities we condemn,” he added.

FG SEEKS TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE AVENGERS

The federal government is planning to negotiate with the new terrorist group the Avengers, seeing that fighting the terrorist group will only amount to more damage on the economy, The federal government is now changing strategy to follow a peaceful negotiation with the Militant group.
The minister of petroleum Dr Ibe Kaichukwu said that negotiating with the group is the best and most effective way to facilitate peace in the region and also enable the present administration to make progress in the power and oil sector
in his own words kaichukwu said “The military barrels cannot stop or solve the problem of militancy in the Niger delta region. i will have to go back to my brother, they are our brothers and we would go and dialogue with them
The activities of the Niger delta Avengers is causing the country to loose money and progress, thus sabotaging the efforts of the government to revamp the economy.

nigeria plans to privatize its four refinaries

Nigeria plans to initiate fresh moves to privatize its four ailing refineries before the end of this year, as it seeks to boost domestic fuel supply after abolishing payment of costly subsidy on imports, Platts reports.

Presidential aide Adeyemi Dipeolu said; “The federal government will set a time frame for the privatization of [state-owned] refineries before the end of this year.” “As part of the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas sector, the federal government will set a deadline for the country to be self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and become a net exporter of some,” Dipeolu added.

State oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC) owns and operates the four refineries, namely: the 125,000 b/d Warri refinery, the 110,000 b/d Kaduna plant and two other refineries at Port Harcourt with combined capacity of 210,000 b/d. Industry officials said the support the government received from the two powerful oil workers’ unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, in the recent removal of subsidy on imported petrol and the increase in fuel prices, bolstered the government’s confidence to launch a fresh bid to privatize the refineries.

Balogun Fulani-Ishola And Olabode Adekanye Kidnapped

The Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Balogun Fulani-Ishola and the party’s secretary Olabode Adekanye, have been kidnapped.

The spokesman for the party in the state, Sulyman Buhari, confirmed their kidnap on Friday.

He said the party leaders were taking in the morning at Abuja-Lokoja highway while returning to Ilorin from Abuja.

Meanwhile, the APC in Kwara has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to free party chair and secretary from kidnapper’s den.

The party also urged other security agencies in the country to deploy all within their powers to ensure the duo were freed unhurt and reunited with their families and loved ones as swift as possible.

Their abduction is coming few days after a chieftain of the APC and a onetime Senator, Mrs Iyabo Anisulowo, was been rescued from her abductors.

Senator Anisulowo, who represented Ogun West Senatorial district between 2003-2007 at the Senate, was kidnapped alongside her security aide in Igbogila area of Ogun state.

i swear buhari Will Never Steal Public Fund – Tinubu

Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he can vouch for President Muhammadu Buhari when it comes to managing Nigeria’s funds.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Friday, Tinubu described Buhari as honest and straightforward.

The APC chieftain said that he was at the union’s headquarters to appeal to the NLC to shelve the strike.

An NLC faction led by Ayuba Wabba had declared a nationwide strike and protests on Wednesday‎.

But the action failed to gain much traction.

“I cannot say, I’m a part of the decision that created the situation. I can only say I noticed the communication gap. And I cannot say you are enemies of this government,” he told the executive of the congress‎.

“‎Today, we came here to appeal to you. Go back to history, we worked real hard to bring Nigeria on progressive path. For me a progressive government is all about the welfare of the people.

“Mr president, the former president of NLC, and senators are here to make it clear that you are not an enemy of a government that is progressive.

“We have refineries, but they are not serving our people. Is it benefiting the public? Why should we continue problem after problem, and continue to do the same things over and over again.

“We must try new things. I’m here to appeal to you to understand this government. You brought this government in. If change is our slogan, are we collaborating to make it possible?

“This is by the way, we must introduce history‎… the political history of the country is not being taught in schools anymore.

“In good conscience, many of you who are part of genuine labour struggle know is about progress and not cheap oil.

‎”We are shipping our labour, oil and opportunities abroad, which is not good for the country.

“Buhari is straightforward. We didn’t say we won’t have problems with him, but he has integrity.

“They brought in SURE-P, but the only thing about SURE-P is corruption.‎ It was sure stealing, sure diversion….

“Buhari will listen to us‎, we will work together to make this change possible.

“I can swear that Buhari will not touch a penny for personal gain. He has that character and integrity to steer Nigeria.

“Let us look at a new mechanism of doing things.

“Let us work together for a government that we know is honest. My mission here is for peace, for us to return to the negotiating table.

“Let us build Nigeria, let us make it the centre piece of Africa.

“Let us call off this strike. I c‎ome to beg on behalf of my party.”

Giving his remarks, Wabba thanked the delegation for its visit.

“Visiting us as demonstrated you are concerned about the working class,” he said.

“We have taken note of your plea. And we wi‎ll convey this plea to the various organs of the party.

“I want to assure you that we are open to discussion.‎”

Tinubu was accompanied by Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun state and Kabir Marafa, a senator from Zamfara central.

chibok girl rescured. bokoharam loosing their grips

Here's an update from the Nigerian Army on the Chibok schoolgirl who was rescued from the bondage of Boko Haram sect after two years abduction.

The rescued Chibok school girl, Amina Ali, was airlifted by Nigeria Air Force Super Puma aircraft from Damboa to Maiduguri alongside her baby and supposed husband, Mohammed Hayatu.

Prior to that they were examined at Air Force medical facility and were found to be stable and normal blood pressure was observed.

Thereafter, she was released to the Operation LAFIYA DOLE headquarters for further investigation and handing over.

After preliminary investigation, the rescued girl and her baby has been handed over to Borno State Governor, His Excellency, Honourable Kashim Shetima, at Government house, Maiduguri this evening by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu in a brief ceremony.

It is believed that she will be brought to Abuja tomorrow along with her parents to meet with Mr President.

Meanwhile, the supposed husband is undergoing further investigation at Joint Intelligence Centre. It should be noted that Mohammed Hayatu is well treated in line with Operation LAFIYA DOLE Rules of Engagement regarding insurgents who voluntarily surrender to the military.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations

Soldiers Get 72 Hours Ultimatum To Release Chevron Staff

Communities in Delta state hosting the facilities of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) have given Nigerian soldiers 72 hours to produce Chevron staff in their custody while dismissing claims by the military that the five persons arrested over the weekend were militants bombing oil and gas facilities in the area.
The communities claimed that contrary to the reports, the five alleged militants were actually contract workers for the American oil giants, inspecting earlier bombed pipelines ahead of the visit of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) team to inspect the extent of damage when the military troops swooped on them.
The communities stated that the workers were with their identification cards and were ferried to the site in Chevron’s boat, adding that their explanations that they were sent for inspection fell on deaf ears as they were taken to the military base at Koko and locked up.
To this end, the communities have given Chevron 72 hours to Chevron to effects the release of the said oil workers; else they would withdraw all the surveillance workers, among other workers working for oil firms in the area as their safety were no longer guaranteed.
The host communities accused Chevron of paying lip service to arrest of the five community workers, saying that the military was harassing and intimidating community oil workers as Chevron has failed to come to their aid.

Speaking on behalf Oil producing Communities,the Chairman of Kokodiagbene, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, who spoke on behalf of the oil producing communities in the area, expressed dismay over nonchalant attitude of the management of Chevron over the arrest of the alleged five workers branded Avengers.

He said: ‘’It is pertinent to state that we are no longer safe in the hands of security agents going by the constant harassment of our people. We have handed a 72-hour ultimatum to Chevron to ensure the release of those arrested oil workers and if they fail to do this, we will withdraw all our services from all the oil companies including, Shell, Chevron, NPDC and Neconde.

‘’We are not Niger Delta Avengers. We are law abiding citizens of Nigeria and those workers were doing their legitimate work when the JTF pounced on them and arrested them, thereafter proclaiming to the world that they have arrested Avengers. They should adopt more of intelligence in doing their work otherwise they would end up killing innocent people in the communities

FG Drags NLC And TUC To Court Over Planned Industrial Action

The National Industrial Court, Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Babatunde Adeniran Ademjumo, OFR, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Suit No.NICN/ABJ/179/2016 between Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation versus Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress (T.U.C) this morning granted an Interim Order of Injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their agents, privies, employees, workmen, or servants from embarking on industrial action, demonstrating or engaging in any action that may disrupt the economic activities of the country pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The Federal Government was represented by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Chief O. O. Obono-Obla, Special Assistant to the President (Prosecution), Office of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Dayo Apata, Director, Civil Litigation, Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Hon. Attorney General of the Federation submitted that if the reliefs sought in the motion paper is refused, irreparable damage will be occasioned to the country's national economy, security and corporate existence. He further submitted that the Defendants having threatened to shut down the country have to be restrained otherwise there will be a breakdown of law and order.

In his ruling, Hon. Justice Adejumo held that he has jurisdiction to hear the application and that having read through the affidavits in support of the application, he is satisfied that a case of urgency has been established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to warrant the grant of an interim order of injunction.

He said the threats of the Defendants as contained in the communique issued by the Defendants on the 29th May to shut down all banks; airports, seaports, government offices, markets nationwide has proven that there is a res to be protected.


Earlier



BREAKING: FG Drags NLC, TUC To Court Over Planned Industrial Action

THE Federal Government has dragged the NLC, TUC and their affiliates before the National Industrial Court seeking to stop the looming strike threatened by the  Labour group over the fuel pump price increment.








As at the time of filing in this report, the Attorney General of the Federation,  Abubakar Malami SAN is arguing the experte motion before Justice Babatunde Adejumo, the President of the NICN.