Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned a meeting held in Owerri, Imo State capital by some elders, who were allegedly staged by their masters in Abuja. The group claims that the elders were blindfolded by saboteurs in Igboland not to speak or take a stand on the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and all pro-Biafrans being detained in different prisons and police cells in Nigeria. IPOB wonders why the elders, traditional rulers, and some governors attended the meeting in Owerri and not Enugu, as Enugu State is the headquarters of the eastern region. The group also questions why the elders, traditional rulers, and some governors refused to ask questions. Students of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education in Owerri went on a rampage in protest over the decision of the management to hike school fees. The provost, Dr. Blessing Ijoma, said the protest had nothing to do with the alleged fee hike and that the students simply went on a rampage to protest the decision.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria have been released after being arrested during a prayer session in Aba, Abia State. The group's Media and Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Powerful, praised the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for the peaceful gesture and urged the release of other members detained in various prisons and security cells. Powerful urged President Buhari to release Kanu without "conditional attachment" and compared the movement to other liberation movements worldwide. He called on the Federal Government to emulate the British government's example of allowing Biafrans to freely choose their place of residence. Powerful emphasized that Biafra self-determination cannot be swept under the carpet, as it is in black Africa where civilised standards are lacking.

Rumors of a bomb scare at the Anambra headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria have been confirmed following the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED). The Nigeria Police Force's anti-bomb squad combed the compound early on Monday morning, resulting in increased security measures. The resident electoral commissioner, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, confirmed no bomb was detected but acknowledged that a substance was picked outside the compound and could have been dropped by anyone. State police public relations officer, Princess Nkeiruka Nwode, was not aware of the discovery.

Nigerian Director of Publicity, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to condemn the killings of Fulani herdsmen. Fani-Kayode expressed dissatisfaction with the Buhari administration and urged him to condemn the heinous activities of his kinsmen. He warned that if the government continued to persecute its perceived enemies, a national rebellion was inevitable. Fani-Kayode urged the President to stop making sensational allegations and lies to silence the opposition. He also criticized a comment by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who suggested holding vandals responsible for the country's lack of electricity. Fani-Kayode believes in the force of logic and believes that when a people are pushed against a wall, things can change quickly.

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have been criticized for threatening to burn the Biafra flag, which they promised to display on October 1. The group, known as the Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB), denounced IPOB and threatened to burn the flag. The group believes in a united Nigeria and a new way of thinking, and it believes the south-south region will never become part of a Biafra Republic. Seven IPOB members arrested in Aba, Abia State, have regained their freedom. The IPOB has advised the House of Representatives Committee on Army to invite the Coordinator of the IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, to their fact-finding mission on the alleged killings of members during the Biafran Day anniversary. Ex-Biafran soldier Ogbuefi Ray Ifeme has cautioned IPOB and MASSOB against violence and urged them to embrace dialogue tenaciously.

Nine lawmakers of the Ekiti House of Assembly have fled to Ibadan, Oyo State, claiming their lives were unsafe. They alleged that a batch of detectives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department arrived in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday to arrest them, led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, Mohammed Abubakar. The lawmakers also alleged that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress were seen helping policemen identify their homes, stressing that they fled Ekiti because their lives were being threatened.The Assembly's Committee Chairman on Information, Youths, and Sports, Gboyega Aribisogan, said it was necessary to come to Ibadan to alert the public to the new clandestine plot by the APC-led Federal Government to cripple the government of Ekiti State. The Assembly has revealed that the three legislators declared missing by the state government actually ran into hiding to evade arrest by the officials of the Department of State Services.The lawmakers had gone underground since March 4, when a member of the legislature, Afolabi Akanni, was arrested and detained for 18 days by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged sundry allegations. The Assembly has directed the state lawmakers to shun any invitation from the DSS due to an alleged plot to arrest and detain them.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was murdered by unknown gunmen in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. John Chu, who was the Chairman of the APC, Ward 7 in Onne, was accosted and shot several times by his assailants. Chu was returning home after a meeting of his political party in the area when the incident occurred. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killing of the party chief and stated that the investigation had begun to apprehend those behind the act. Chu was shot and killed by a group of gunmen on his way back from a party meeting. The state police spokesman described the incident as unfortunate and explained that an investigation had begun to apprehend those behind the act. The incident occurred while Chu was returning home from a party meeting.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned religious leaders against incendiary messages that could cause religious war in the country. The government deemed allegations of Islamization of Nigeria and persecution of Christians as fallacies and emphasized that conflicts between Muslims and Christians are often fueled by political motivation, ethnic differences, extremism, intolerance, and terrorism. The government also dismissed the accusation that the military was arming Fulani herdsmen to kill Christians as ridiculous. Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed stated that the government was concerned about the incendiary messages sent by religious, political, and opinion leaders. He criticized the media for insinuating that the government was either out to Islamize Nigeria or persecute Christians. The government believes that some comments by religious leaders had political connotations and that conflicts between Muslims and Christians are often fuelled by political motivations, ethnic differences, extremism, intolerance, and terrorism.

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has affirmed that his government has fully complied with the decisions of the South East Governors regarding the prohibition of activities of the Indigenous People Biafra. Obiano stated that there would be no hiding place for mischief makers and those who would distort the peace in the state. He urged the people of Anambra to be vigilant and prioritized the security and welfare of the area. The governor also stated that the government is firmly in support of the restructuring agenda announced by the Governors Forum and encourages Ndi Anambra to articulate their thoughts on this issue.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique, discussed the Air Force's performance in fighting insurgency and highlighted the importance of winning hearts and minds in counter-insurgency operations. He emphasized the need for intelligence and working closely with local communities to gather information. Sadique also highlighted the importance of treating women and children with respect and focusing on their well-being. He also highlighted the partnership between the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and universities, including the Diaphorm program for helicopter gunships. Sadique praised Nigerian universities for their dedicated and patriotic lecturers, which can address challenges. However, there are no linkages between universities and public research institutes, leading to the development of prototype UAVs and advanced stages of operationalization. He also discussed the use of IEDs by Boko Haram and the need for more sophisticated and advanced technologies to counter insurgency. Sadique emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the NAF and universities to address challenges and develop innovative solutions.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique, discussed the Air Force's performance in fighting insurgency and highlighted the importance of winning hearts and minds in counter-insurgency operations. He emphasized the need for intelligence and working closely with local communities to gather information. Sadique also highlighted the importance of treating women and children with respect and focusing on their well-being. He also highlighted the partnership between the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and universities, including the Diaphorm program for helicopter gunships. Sadique praised Nigerian universities for their dedicated and patriotic lecturers, which can address challenges. However, there are no linkages between universities and public research institutes, leading to the development of prototype UAVs and advanced stages of operationalization. He also discussed the use of IEDs by Boko Haram and the need for more sophisticated and advanced technologies to counter insurgency. Sadique emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the NAF and universities to address challenges and develop innovative solutions.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has stated that the state remains peaceful despite the recent killings. He stated that the state is ready to host a national event to prove the peaceful nature of the state to the world. Wike inaugurated the Local Organising Committee for the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association conference at the Government House in Port Harcourt. He explained that business interests were flourishing in the state due to its calm atmosphere. The state will host the Peoples Democratic Party's national convention in May, the NBA national conference in August, and the Federal High Court Legal Year celebration in September. He expressed optimism that such events would attract thousands of visitors to the state.Wike charged members of the Local Organising Committee to ensure the 2016 NBA conference turned out to be the best in the association's history. He also told the members of the LOC to put in their best in the interest of the law profession and the state. The Alternate Chairman and Attorney General of Rivers, Mr. Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), said that the main organizing committee and nine sub-committees had been programmed to deliver a historic national conference.

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