IPOB alleges plot by security agencies to attack citizens in SE on Monday

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), on Sunday, alleged that it has uncovered a scheme by security agencies, especially the Department of States (DSS) and the police to disguise as IPOB and ESN operatives to attack traders who come out tomorrow (Monday) for their legitimate business.

According to the group, “Security agencies have perfected plans to unleash attacks on innocent people in the name of ESN and IPOB volunteers. We have no plans again to enforce any sit-at-home order.

“The Nigeria security agents are to be held accountable for any attack tomorrow on innocent Biafrans. Our people should resist any attempt by anybody to attack them tomorrow.”

This was contained in a statement issued by the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful.

He added, “We, therefore want to put the world especially residents of Biafra land that IPOB has since two weeks ago suspended its initially declared Monday sit-at-home order. It, therefore, makes no sense that we will at the same time be enforcing the suspended order”.

He restates that there is no longer Ghost Mondays in the South-east in solidarity with the detained leader of the group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, stating that, “Sit-at-home will only be observed on the days our leader will be making appearances in court. Such days will be well publicised ahead of time.

Everybody is hereby placed on alert about this wicked plot. IPOB will not tolerate any attack on any Biafran or resident of Biafra under any guise. People should be allowed to go about their businesses without any molestation or harassment.”

Governors charge security agencies to fish out perpetrators of Plateau attack

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Sunday charged the security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the attack on travellers in Plateau State and prosecute them accordingly.

Gunmen had in the early hours of Saturday killed 22 people during an attack on a travelling party along Rukuba Road, Jos North local government area of Plateau State.

The victims were returning from Bauchi State where they attended an event marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year when the gunmen struck.

The hoodlums also abducted several passengers during the attack.

In a statement signed by NGF’s Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the governors described the killings as barbaric and senseless.

The statement read: “These dastardly actions of Nigeria’s once peaceful locals which have resulted in unwarranted and needless deaths diminish us all as a people and pulls our country down to the deepest recesses of the absence of civilisation.

“They also cause all kinds of reprisal killings and injurious interactions that does nobody any good.

“The Forum views with extreme disgust the horrible and thoughtless loss of precious lives and declares unequivocally that it must stop forthwith.”

#EndSARS: ECOWAS Urges Security Agencies to Exercise Restraint

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has expressed concern over the protest against police brutality by the Nigeria youth that have turned violent.

To this end, it called on the federal government to conduct investigation into the misconduct of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) rapidly.

The President of the Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Brou, stated this in a statement issued Wednesday, while also calling security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally.

He stated: “ECOWAS Commission notes with concern that demonstrations by Nigerian youth calling for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police, accused of misconduct by those demonstrating, have turned violent.

“While ECOWAS Commission recognizes the rights of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it is also of the view that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner. In this regard, ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations. It also urges the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint In the handling of the protests and act professionally.

“ECOWAS Commission further notes that in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youth, the federal government of Nigeria took important decisions regarding disbandment ot SARS, comprehensive police reforms and investigation of cases of police brutality. It encourages the Nigerian Authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly.”

The Commission expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives during the protests and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The commission appealed to the federal government, the Nigerian youth and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social urest and maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion at law and order.