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WHO FEELS IT KNOWS IT! MR. TAJUDEEN LAWAL IS A LIVING WITNESS.
A testimony to Igbo marginalisation
Tajudeen Lawal
As a non-indigene who has lived in the East for a long time, I can make an assesment of the disenchantment that pervades the thinking of most Igbo. To say that there is very low federal prescence in the South-East will be an understatement. There is no Federal Government presence in the East, as far as I am concerned. Anyone who wants to prove me wrong can simply travel down and see things for him or herself. Whereas most roads in other geopolitical zones are awarded to reputable and competent construction companies like Julius Berger, those in the East are awarded to less competent construction companies. And even at that, the roads are never completed, but the contract money is always paid to them in full. Simply put, the roads in the East are death-traps. The second Niger Bridge, which the President had promised the people during his electioneering, has remained just a campaign slogan. Mind you, this is the only structure that links the East to the rest of the country, except, of course, you want to go through Benue State. The bridge right now is under serious pressure and experts say there is a need to relieve it of the excess pressure.
The fact that the Nigerian civil war ended 35 years ago is like a fairy tale to most Easterners. The policemen and soldiers still act as if they are an occupying force in an enemy territory, subjecting the people to their whims and caprices. Policemen here do not collect N20 at checkpoints, but demand thousands of naira especially during festive periods when many of the people will be coming back home.
While Arewa youths in the North, opc in the West, and Niger Delta Force in the South-South are allowed to run amok, causing terror, fear, and death, massob members who are not violent are usually hunted, killed or imprisoned without an option of bail. 54 footballers, spectators and match officials participating in the Uwazurike Cup tournament, were arrested and detained by the police last year. No one, not even journalists, ngos or rights activists ever fought for their fundamental human rights. Yet, Asari Dokubo was given a presidential welcome in Abuja with a N300 million “gift’’ to stop his chaos in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
It is only the Senate presidency, which was zoned to the Igbo, that has been targeted for ridicle with the potent weapon of bribery and corruption, as if it is only the Senate that is corrupt. Yet, little or nothing is done about the corrupt practices of our past and present rulers.
While economic policies are directed towards stemming the importation of goods, which is usually dominated by the Igbo, nothing is done about trade in foreign currencies in most major towns and cities in the country. This is a business run by our Northern brothers. But the truth is that this trade has continued to damage the preference for our local currency, the naira, and increase the demand for the dollar, pound and other foreign currencies.
The Igbo must go back to God in prayers. He will surely restore them to their glorious days.
•Lawal wrote from 33, Mbonu Street, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Punch, Friday June 10, 2005
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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Okwyonwuka, When it suits your whims and caprices, you showcase articles written by Yorubas as evidence of the disillusionment of your kith and kin with the way things are run in Nigeria, however, you are always in the vanguard of those to call for blood when a Yoruba person either on this board or elsewhere posts contrary opinion. Is this a sign of things to expect in the Biafran Republic?. And by the way, please rid yourself of those hideous goggles if you want to be taken seriously.
___________________ To rid ourselves of all of those other "isms"--racism, classism, ageism, etc.--it is sexism that must first be eradicated.."The Gender Question" Posts: 28 | From: Irvine, California | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Is this a sign of things to expect in the Biafran Republic?.
With all due respect to you monsuoir, isn't whatever bad you wish to come out of Free and Independent State of BIAFRA our/IGBO wahala? You seem to be a decent fella so, don't worry about what will happen to us. Let us care and worry for ourselves. Hope this comment doesn't draw the usual.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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___________________ To rid ourselves of all of those other "isms"--racism, classism, ageism, etc.--it is sexism that must first be eradicated.."The Gender Question" Posts: 28 | From: Irvine, California | Registered: Jun 2005
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There are characters here (not you) when asked questions or answer theirs resort to all manners of insulting language and when I respond in kind, it becomes about me and nothing said about how it started. I'm not saying you will just to get that assurance, that's all. These characters are at the moment faking hibernation until I take my exit for a deserved weekend then these creatures start crawling out of their holes to strike at empty room.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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MeBiafran, No need to fret because as usual, i got ya back...seriously (One good turn deserves another).
Have a pleasant weekend.
___________________ To rid ourselves of all of those other "isms"--racism, classism, ageism, etc.--it is sexism that must first be eradicated.."The Gender Question" Posts: 28 | From: Irvine, California | Registered: Jun 2005
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Another big reason; Anxiety in Plateau over al-Qaeda threat
Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Anxiety has gripped residents of the Plateau State capital, Jos, over an alleged plan by the al-Qaeda terrorist network to attack parts of the city.
Allegations were rife in the city during the week that members of the terrorist network were working with the Hausa community in Jos to attack Christians and Muslims who were opposed to the group’s objectives.
The fears were further heightened by a leaflet allegedly being circulated by a group described as the Al-Qaeda Terrorist Network.
The leaflet, which was signed by one Idris ibn Mohammed and obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, stated that at the last meeting of the group in Kano, former heads of state who are Muslims had “promised to work on Obasanjo.”
According to the leaflet, “The Osama bin Ladin Network in cooperation with the Islamic Revolution Committee and Jasawa has mapped out grand strategy to carry out Islamic jihad in Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt areas of the country. The attack will be directed at Christians and Muslims who do not support the jihad as is done in Saudi Arabia. This jihad is already going on in Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and of course Afghanistan.”
“All terrorist groups in Nigeria should know that Al-Qaeda is a world Islamic front for holy war against Jews and Christians. It is a name taken in 1999 when bin Ladin merged with Egypt’s Islamic jihad. It is now a global Islamic front to deal with the infidels.”
The group also said that it was planning to eliminate some retired generals in the state, who had taken side with Christians.
However, the state government has assured residents of the state that they had nothing to fear.
In a statement in Jos on Friday, which was signed by the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Litta Shindai, the state administration appealed to both Muslims and Christians to go about their normal duties without any fear of molestation and cautioned religious leaders in the state not to allow their adherents to be used by those he described as misguided individuals who were out to destabilise the state.
Also, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Apapa, told our correspondent that there was no cause for alarm as the police were equal to the task of protecting lives and property in the state.
Saturday Punch, June 11, 2005
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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You didn't even give me the courtesy to well come you to the fora before attacking me. Well, i am not in habit of posting articles written by selective Yoruba as you claimed. but then, the case of Alhaji Taju is a unique case having known him in person for years, I am personally touched that he finds time to tell the home truth as he sees it, appropriately, this is my only form of showing my gratitude.
Those big goggles will not be removed until my people are free. You're welcome to BNW anyway!.
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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SECURITY operatives have commenced investigation into the use of the Biafran pound as legal tender at the borders of some neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region.
Sunday Punch reliably gathered that the operatives have contacted the International Police (INTERPOL) to assist in tracking down members of the ring behind the business.
According to sources, security agents moved briskly to dig into the matter shortly after Sunday Punch exclusively reported the strange discovery last week.
The report gave graphic details on how businessmen from all walks of life still transact business with different denominations of the currency at Togo, Benin and Ghana borders, 35 years after the Biafran Republic ceased to exist.
The currency still bears the signature of Dr. Silvelster Ugo, the then Governor of the Central Bank of the defunct Biafran Republic and the picture of a palm tree, while its back has the coat of arms of the republic with the inscription “peace, unity and freedom.”
It was discovered that one Biafran pound was being exchanged for N270 at the borders.
Sunday Punch visited the Ghana-Togolese border community called Aflo, where hordes of vendors openly traded in the currency.
Sources disclosed that top security chiefs held consultations during the week and ordered their men to commence moves to get those behind the deal.
Apart from regular security agencies, the police and the State Security Service (SSS), Customs and the Immigrations Services are involed in the offensive against the dealers.
A source said some categories of individuals are now under security watch over the discovery.
The officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs as well as the embassies of countries named in the business are to assist operatives in the investigation.
Another source said the Nigerian government, especially President Olusegun Obasanjo, was uncomfortable with the development, contrary to the belief in certain quarters.
It was learnt that the media report on the discovery prompted an emergency meeting of top government officials and the heads of the security agencies on Monday to tackle the menace.
A source disclosed that security agencies were mandated to identify persons behind the business and retrieve the currency with a view to establishing their authenticity.
The security agencies were particularly mandated to find out the source of the new ones among the notes.
Sunday Punch learnt that the agencies have already despatched operatives to Ariaria, a popular market in Aba, Abia State, following speculations that some of the currency speculators used it as an operational base.
Sources added that operatives were specifically fast on the heels of key members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Reliable security sources said on Friday that the seeming non-chalance of federal authorities to the discovery, notwithstanding, MASSOB activists were under intense watch by operatives from the police and SSS.
Last week, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, reported in his weekly security briefing to President Olusegun Obasanjo, that a MASSOB activist was arrested in Lagos and found with what he described as inciting pamphlets on the threats to bomb all Christian churches in Nigeria.
“We have not received any formal directive to carry out investigations, but based on your report, the Command closest to the border was directed to check out the its veracity. On the basis of their preliminary finding, we are of the view that, those notes are being printed in Nigeria and smuggled across the border,” a top security chief said.
He added: “The only way those notes could find their way outside the country is through the land border; at least that is our view for now. So, the next thing is to find out where the notes are being printed. But this revelation has opened our eyes to some puzzles, which had consistently defied solution”.
“Our finding at least for now seems to be the key to the puzzle on the source of funding of a particular militia group which has recently stepped up its subversive activities in Nigeria.
“We have tried to determine the source of funding of their activities, including surveillance on key individuals whom we thought might have been giving them money out of sympathy, each time we take these people in, we discover, that they have not been financing this group,” he added.
The operative stated further: “We have decided to intensify surveillance on some people whom we thought are key activists. We are interested in their itenary, the people they interact with, most especially, those who engage in cross border businesses. The Customs intelligence people are in on it too. I cannot specifically say that we are collaborating with them, but I know, for instance that, they are collaborating with the police. Just last week, a man suspected to be a member of MASSOB was arrested in Lagos by the police. He was found with a pamphlet, which is meant to alert Christians in Nigeria of plans to bomb all churches in the country.
“Our major concern now is to make sure that, this chain of events or revelations are not a corollary of a major resurgence,” he said.
Sunday Punch gathered from the IG’s weekly security briefing to the President covering the period of June 1st - 7th, 2005, that, one Chinedu (surname withheld) Okoronkwo was arrested during a stop and search in Lagos, and was found with a MASSOB identity card, a pamphlet warning of plans to bomb all Christian churches and MASSOB sticker.
According to the report, Ehindero also gave Obasanjo an up date on the progress of the collaboration between the Police, Customs and Immigration to check trans-border crimes, as directed by him.
“In another development, a suspect, one Chinedu (surname withheld) was arrested in Ojodu in Lagos, during a stop and search. He was found with a MASSOB ID card, an inciting pamphlet warning of plans to bomb all Christian churches and over 60 MASSOB stickers and identity cards. The suspect was immediately arrested and taken to Panti, FCID for interrogation”.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi also claimed ignorance of the development.
“I am not aware of any such directive to the Customs on Biafran Pounds. The CG is not available for me to confirm from him”.
At the Headquarters of the State Security Service on Friday, no officer in the Public Affairs Unit was available for comment.
However, the man who organized a rally in Enugu in 2001 and the National President of the Association of Youth Organizations of Nigeria, Mr Madu Edozie in an interview with our correspondents on Friday, advised Nigerians apprehensive about a Biafran resurgence to forget the idea.
“I am one person that has remained consistently opposed to the proponents of the Biafran agenda. I am an Igbo man from the South-East. I remember in 2001, Ralph Uwazuruike was talking about declaring a State of Biafra in Enugu. I mobilized people to organize a counter rally that drew a crowd of over 80,000, compared to MASSOB sympathizers of a sparse crowd. If the circulation of the BIafran Pound is a prelude to a resurgence of Biafra, then I have news for them, it is dead”.
“We have chosen to live together as one united, indivisible entity. It is not in doubt that we have our differences and ideas of how we should co-habit, but surely, there are many agreeable ways of airing grievances and seeking redress. One of it is not definitely through secession, at this point in the history of our country,” he added.
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ighadalo confirmed the security offensive against operators of the controversial currency.
He disclosed that the police and other security agencies are those behind the Biafran currency.
He, however, declined further comments on the method stating that “very soon, we shall get to the root of the matter.”
The FPRO assured that there was no cause for alarm “as the said currency can never be a legal tender in any part of the world. Once it is illegal, it remains illegal and those involved in it are into illegal activities. They would be treated as such”, he said.
He assured that the police would locate those involved and make them face the full wrath of the law as offenders.
Sunday Punch, June 12, 2005 Copyright 2005 Punch (Nigeria) Limited. All Rights Reserved
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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MOVEMENT FOR THE ACTUALIZATION OF THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF BIAFRA (MOSSOB)
It was a trouble day in Biafra land on Friday 9th June when three Nigerian Navy officers came to our secretariat (office) at Okwe, and stating threatening us that we must stop campaigning about biafra or against Obasanjo. But we told them we told them that nothing will stop us from demanding our right which is Biafra. Then on the 10th a group of Army officers drove in with their 504 station wagon, they asked for Chief Ralph Uwazulike which we told them that he was not around. They later they drove out. Again on the 11th of June around 7:15 a group of mobile police force numbering about 30 drove in with their trucks and two station wagon cars. The asked me the whereabouts of Chief Ralph Uwazulike and I told them that since they came here and took hi! m away, that we haven’t seen him or any of our leaders and their leader told them to search everywhere. So they went into all the rooms by then we are 13 in number they ordered us to kneel down or they fire all of us. We obeyed them. But then they started firing guns at the parked cars and destroyed all the cars. Thereafter, one of them who went to search all the rooms came back and tell their leader that nothing was found. He, the leader, however shouted that they should go back and destroy every thing they see that they were there to kill Chief Ralph Uwazulike, the Massob leader. He said that they going to kill us and asked us to say our last prayers, then we were asked to do “frog-jump” As we were made to do this, one of them opened fire on us and instantly four of members were killed. And when I had a little chance I escaped, I was hit by a bullet on my left arm. They damaged all the property of Chief Ralph Uwazulike and all his cars! with gunshots and arrested eight of our members.
(1) Chukwuemeka Simon
(2) Ikechukwu Owe
(3) Christopher Nworie
(4) Ikechukwu Onew
(5) Mike Okeke
(6) James Agu
Please we Massobians are begging the U.N.O to go there and see things by themselves. May God deliver us in Jesus name.
From
...
Director of special duties, MASSOB,
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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Police accused of exhuming victims’ corpses
•APGA warns on cover-up
MALACHY UZENDU, Abuja
WHEREABOUTS of the corpses of six Igbo traders allegedly shot dead by the police last Wednesday at Apo Mechanics’ Village, Abuja, is now subject of a row between the police and kinsmen of the deceased.
The latter, last weekend, accused the police of secretly exhuming the bodies from their graves for burial at an unknown location.
But the police insisted yesterday that the late traders were armed robbers alleging that two locally made riffles were recovered from them during a recent confrontation with the deceased.
Reacting to the killing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) warned that any cover up of the killing by the police would attract dire consequences.
Messrs. Chidiebere Obi, Marcel Eze and Ferdinand Igodo who made the allegation during a protest march to the Abuja office of Champion Newspapers, also accused policemen drafted to keep the peace at the Apo Mechanics’ Village of dispossessing residents of cash and other valuables.
It would be recalled that six persons who were reportedly returning from a party last Wednesday, were accosted by some policemen on patrol who allegedly killed them on allegation that they were armed robbers.
Following massive protest by motor spare parts dealers at the Apo Mechanics’ Village and the subsequent destruction of the Apo Village Police post, policemen were drafted to restore peace in the area.
However, narrating their ordeal to Daily Champion, the traders painted a pathetic picture of how anti-riot and regular policemen allegedly broke into people’s shops and residences "stealing our goods and property under heavy armed cover."
They claimed that "these policemen even took away all the money we have in our pockets."
"They even arrested those who refused to willingly open the doors of their residences when they came and we are afraid they might kill them the way they killed the other six people.
"You can imagine an old man like me, these police boys took away the N600 I have in my pocket and even wanted to take my GSM handset but I insisted he should kill me first.
"Those policemen removed their name tags from their uniforms, but we know they are from the FCT police command because they were on patrol in official vehicle.
"They came in police vehicle and they patrolled Apo fully armed, intimidating people, arresting people indiscriminately," the traders alleged.
They also claimed that as at Saturday morning, they discovered that the police had exhumed the bodies of the people they had allegedly killed but buried in shallow graves at the Apo cemetery, and had taken their remains to an unknown place.
When contacted, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Adebayo denied the allegation. He also could not confirm whether people were being arrested indiscriminately or not.
"Please go to Apo yourself, you will see that normalcy had returned to the place, but I do not know the number of arrests made yet. I am yet to be fully briefed," he said.
APGA’s threat the coincided with another statement by a non-political group, Igwebuike Abia which warned that the attitude of the police towards the killing was capable of truncating the nascent democracy.
However APGA, whose statement was signed by its chapter publicity secretary, Chief Emmanuel Ogbansiegbe, decribed as "repugnant, the unprovoked and monstrous killing of unarmed traders."
While describing the act as "jungle justice," the party demanded that the perpetrators of the act must be punished according to the laws of the land.
On its part, Igwebuike Abia described the killings as "targeted at (Ndigbo) a particular section of the country."
I am reminded of an incident that occurred prior to the opening of the ‘Biafra House’ in Washington DC.
In a meeting, one of the attendees made a statement, “you have to break eggs to make omelet”, he said, referring to his brethren as eggs. Having seen my share of death, it was a statement that I was completely and totally opposed to, since in my estimation, the time was not yet reap to ask our brethren to sacrifice the most precious gifts given us by Chineke, the Mighty Yah. If those of us, who are eager to have our brethren shed their blood for the Movement, have refused to ask our own relatives and families to do same, what right do we have to ask others to make the ultimate sacrifice? What of those who our brethren who made this sacrifice left behind? What provisions did we or have we made for their families? Are we once more going to abandon these families to poverty and starvation just as we abandoned the Biafran Veterans? Yes, the above statement was the beginning of the end of my association as part of that coalition that could not think out of the BOX!
Can Biafara be Actualized without blood shed? Do we understand what those who founded this revolution had in mind before we lead Ndi Igbo down a path of blood before it becomes necessary? Have those in Diaspora played their part before we ask our brethren at home to put their lives on the line? If those of us in Diaspora, especially those in the Western Nations are too scared to play our part, why should we allow our brethren to carry all the burden? Until those of us in Diaspora are ready to carry the Igbo case to all and every Western Nation, making them aware of the continuing genocide and holocaust against Igbo, the war criminals and those who committed genocide and holocaust, who are those who call the shots in nigeria, will continue to cheapen the lives of Ndi Igbo, and refuse to lift their heavy feet from the heads of Ndi Igbo at home.
As usual our misguided brethren at home continue to give their lives for their dream, a noble mission but is it necessary? When I agreed to be part of the Biafran Movement, it was with the agreement and understanding that Biafara could be achieved without the shading of blood, since Ndi Igbo had already made that supreme sacrifice, to the tune of over THREE MILLION and counting. I still am convinced that that goal is possible without blood shed, in fact, its possibility has grown as events continue to unfold in that ‘British Birthed Abomination and Insult to Mother Africa.
I am reminded that up to the present very little if anything continue to be done for the ‘Biafran Veterans’, most of them who are still alive are beggars, and as usual Ndi Igbo continue to turn a blind eye to the needs of these our noble brethren who gave their limbs that we might live. As we now continue through our thoughtless actions and plans that are not very well thought through to put the lives of our brethren in danger, it is important to understand that those who ask others to place their lives on the line will in due time be forced into a position where their own live is also placed in harms way – that is a natural law. Hopefully, we will also be ready to sacrifice our lives since, ‘you break eggs to make omelet!
Oha Ka (For our GOD, Ama Ama Amasi Amasi, the Mighty Yah, whose fight this is, has made Igbo god over the British Birthed Abomination –Nigeria, and her rulers.)
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Killing of 6 Igbo traders: Ambush policeman dead
POLICE probe panel investigating alleged killing of six Igbo traders in Abuja, was yesterday stunned when it heard that one of the policemen on the Ambush Squad of the Garki Police Division, Anthony Idahi has been murdered over suspicion that he (Idah) leaked information on the killings of the traders.
But lead counsel for the Apo traders, Amobi Nedu, accused the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nicholas Zakaria, leader of the Ambush Squad, of killing Idah to cover-up evidence on the killings.
Zakaria, however, denied the allegation saying "he died of belibeli, (name given to an undiagnosed disease) yesterday (Sunday)".
Nzelu accused Zakaria of killing one of the suspected armed robbers on the instruction of his Divisional Police Officer (DPO), at the Prince and Princess Estate at Durum III, over the claim that the deceased would reveal how they (traded were murdered.)
The lawyer reiterated his earlier calls for police protection as he also claimed his life was being threatened.
When Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Mike Okiro, head of the probe panel, rejected Nzelu’s submission that all the police officers at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, from the Commissioner down the ranks, be sent on compulsory leave, he amended his pleadings asking rather that they be transferred from Abuja.
"I am saying this because, not only are they threatening people who would have come to give evidence before this panel, they have also threatened to kill me and since last week, they have been making anonymous calls to me.
"This man, ASP Zakaria, the O/C Ambush Squad, and his DPO, have at the moment killed one of the policemen in his team, by name Anthony Idah.
"They believed that he was the one that gave us information on the killings, but, even as they killed him, we still got the information, meaning that he was not the one and I know they will kill more people. They gave him "Abiola tea."
"There is one other person, Garba Husseinia of MOPOL 7 in Kano. He is the man who apprehended the sixth person they killed at the prince and Princess Estate.
"When he got this young man who ran for his dear life, Mr. Husseini called Mr. Zakaria and he, Zakaria, killed the boy. To cover up, they have sent Husseini back to MOPOL 7, in Kano. The intention was to cover up their tracks," Nzelu said.
Tes??, Zakaria denied killing anybody.
He also denied knowledge of the killings and anything that happened on Gimbiya Street, even when his boss had called him to rush to the place on June 8.
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Groups Urge Govt to Stop Harassing MASSOB Leader By Ndubuisi Ugah, 06.21.2005
A coalition of five pro-democracy groups yesterday urged the Federal Government to desist from the continued harassment of Mr. Ralph Uwazurike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). The coalition, which had Comrade Bright Ezeocha, Chairman, Igbo Youth Congress (IYC) as spokesman at a press conference in Lagos, said since Uwazurike gave the 'stay at home order' on August 1, 2004, "government had continued to reign terror on this young man and members of his group on very spurious claims, which has become the lot of Uwazurike and his loyalists". Other members of the coalition included Chris Mustapha Nwakobia (National Democratic Movement) Bolaji Rosiji (PRONACO) Wale Balogun (Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups), Yerima Usman Shettima (Arewa Youth Consultative Forum) and Wale Adeoye (Journalists for Democratic Rights). Ezeocha said it was suprising that "while courts had on numerous occasions exonerated the spurious charges, government had continued to harass this harmless group that is only legitimately seeking to assert their right to self-determination as recognised by the United Nations Convention to which Nigeria is a signatory. "We also urge well meaning Nigerians and Igbo leaders to rise up and call this government to order to avoid the degeneration. For it will be wise for this government to realise that you can march on the ground for a life time but the day the grounds turns around to march you, it will be final", the coalition stated. The coalition observed that "these developments are however becoming too disturbing for any sane Igbo leader to remain quiet", adding that "there are self-determination groups in this country, who have not only sought for autonomous nationalities but have done so with arms and violence that claimed lives of countless Nigerians". He said this unwholesome act had led to the question: "Don't the people of South-eastern Nigeria have a right to self-determination?" Ezeocha, while stating that "the fact that the right to self-determination is inalienable right of all men", said "if the methodology of pursuing this aspiration remains peaceful, non-violent and strategic like MASSOB has been going about it, it becomes injustice for the government to continue to persecute a marginalised people, who want to be heard". The coalition maintained that desisting from the harassments was in the interest of peace in the country, especially as "MASSOB is a peaceful organisation that has only capitalized on inability of the Nigerian nation, this government in particular, to approximate our expectations of good food, shelter, medicare, education, employment and security to propagate it ideals". "This government must know that until these fundamental issues of citizenship are addressed, the agitation for a Biafran Republic will never be obliterated", the coalition added.
this day
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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Leaders of Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Bini: The Great Biafrans: Why do you Allow nigeria to continue to RAPE your LANDS?
HISTORY IS ABOUT TO REPEAT ITSELF AT THE OBASANJO CONFERENCE.
More than one hundred years ago Chiefs, Kings and Leaders in Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Bini, Lagos and other communities in Southern Nigeria were coned by representatives of Her Majesty’s Government in Britain into signing away control of their land to the British government. Her Majesty’s army forcibly took over some of the land, promised the people of these communities military protection from their enemies and assured them that they were only interested in trade. Next the British took over the lands and the people and turned them into Her Majesty’s property. The land became her Majesty’s land and colony and the people became her Majesty’s subjects. The people lost their land, their freedom, and their identity. It has been more than one hundred years and yet the impact of this debacle has not yet been fully reversed. Younger generations from these communities have blamed these Chiefs, Kings and Leaders and wondered how they could be so naïve as to be bought over by the Europeans with such useless gifts as walking sticks, mirrors, glass beads, heads of tobacco, and bottles of whiskey.
To avoid any such mistakes in the future, each of these communities sent their sons and daughters to Europe, America and other lands to study and receive good education in the White mans ways, his laws, military tactics, administration and general education. These sons and daughters came back to their land and used the education they had acquired in these fields to challenge the British and force them out of their land which they had occupied. For a few short years the communities temporarily regained their land and freedom and started rebuilding their identities.
But before the British left Nigeria in 1960, they organized elections; they rigged the elections and put political and military power firmly in the hands of leaders of the Northern Caliphate, Hausa Fulani leaders who had maintained a feudal system of government that fitted the scheme of the British government. The Caliphate guaranteed the British continued rule over these communities in Southern Nigeria, albeit indirectly and through their surrogate, the Caliphate. With the help of British experts the Caliphate has done a masterful job of recruiting, corrupting and brainwashing some Kings, Chiefs and Leaders from these communities in the South into acquiescing to the continued domination of their people, as well as control of their land and the natural resources in it.
In 1969 as the Igbo and peoples of the Niger Delta who were fighting for their self determination in Biafra were being persecuted, slaughtered and starved to death in millions by the government and people of Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Minister of Finance and effective head of government of the Yakubu Gowon Junta in collusion with Gowon and agents of the Caliphate passed the Petroleum Decree, 1969. This decree stripped the Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Bini and other communities in Eastern Nigeria of their right to ownership and control of the petroleum in their land and vested that right of ownership and control in the Federal Government of Nigeria under the control of the Caliphate. In effect you own the land but you do not own the natural resources in the land. This is crooked thinking at its most ridiculous extreme. What did the people who were robbed of their most cherished and valued private property say? Nothing! In fact some of them cheered for “One Nigeria.”
In 1978, Olusegun Obasanjo enacted the infamous Land Use Decree, and effectively stripped the Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Bini, and other communities in Southern Nigeria of their right to even the private ownership of their ancestral land and effectively transferred ownership of all their land to the Federal Government of Nigeria controlled by the Caliphate and her lieutenants. What did the owners of the land say? Again nothing! Again some of them cheered for “One Nigeria.” Then Ibrahim Babangida extended this insatiable greed for land in the South by passing another decree which gave the Federal Government of Nigeria [the Caliphate and her lieutenants] ownership of all land with in 100 meters of the continental shoreline of Nigeria. By taking even the continental shoreline the Caliphate demonstrated the extreme wickedness of her actions towards these communities in Southern Nigeria. By these acts Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Ibrahim Babangida upturned the land tenure system in all of Southern Nigeria where communities and individual families owned their land and the natural resources in it. They changed the principle of individual ownership of private property (land) to the feudal system in the Caliphate of Northern Nigeria where all property especially land belongs to the Emir. As soon as Awolowo and Obasanjo were out of power Shagari and subsequent leaders of the Caliphate incorporated these edicts into the Nigerian Constitution.
To see this clearly, read Chapter IV, Section 44, subsection 3 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 which states as follows: Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria shall vest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.
This section of the constitution summarizes the status of the people of Southern Nigeria with respect to private ownership of property – they are simply tenants on the land. Remember the situation in Apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia where Black people were stripped of ownership of their land and made tenants on their land. Do you see any resemblance in the Petroleum and Land use decrees?
The question one might ask is where were the big politicians, top army officers, big professors, top lawyers (SAN), high flying intellectuals, top civil servants and super permanent secretaries from Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo and Bini when Awolowo, Obasanjo, Babangida, and later Abacha and Abdulsalam Abubakar were cooking up these schemes to take away all land and natural resources belonging to the people and communities in Eastern Nigeria? This program of total colonization of the East by the Caliphate did not happen overnight. It took some 30 years.
As this was going on, a few short sighted, greedy, avaricious and foolish Kings, Chiefs and leaders from Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Bini were cheering believing that the Caliphate had finally demolished Biafra, their phantom enemy. Little did it occur to them that they had just exchanged British colonialism from which Zik of Africa and his colleagues saved them, for a more primitive, uncompromising and violent form of colonialism which is in fact slavery at the hands of the Nigerian Caliphate and the Hausa Fulani Yoruba feudal oligarchs. The Caliphate fed them the poison pill of “One Nigeria”; they swallowed it and became zombies. Now you know why Odumegwu Ojukwu and many prominent sons and daughters from Eastern Nigeria were tactically excluded from the National Political Reforms Conference by Obasanjo.
The greedy Chiefs and leaders rejected and undermined Biafra that guaranteed them freedom, justice, liberty, respect of individual rights, respect of private property and control over their lands and the minerals and other resources in it according to our customs and traditions and embraced “One Nigeria” which guaranteed them injustice, loss of their freedom, liberty, individual rights; loss of their private property including their land and the natural resources in it.
Apart from the political consequence of loss of freedom, liberty and personal identity, there has also been devastating economic consequences of this blunder. Respect for private property is one of the most fundamental planks underlying the philosophy of existence in most societies in Eastern Nigeria. Among the Igbo it is the overarching principle that underlies every aspect of the existence of the Igbo. It is particularly poignant in the Igbo person’s relationship to land. Only when private ownership of land is guaranteed and respected can you develop the land; build houses and industries and commit large amounts of capital to establishing the infrastructure that will support economic venture. It is the engine that drives economic progress and was responsible for building an economically viabrant middle class in Igbo society. Undercutting the all important principle of respect for private property has created a myriad of problems: a culture of dependency, uncontrollable corruption in all sectors of the society, creation of decadent oligarchs, extinction of the middle class, grinding poverty and ceaseless resistance against the appropriation of people’s private property.
So what will the Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Esan, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Bini do now? Bear in mind that there is no where in the history of the world an oppressor woke up one morning, decided that he had oppressed the people enough and then asked them to have their freedom and control their lives. No, it has never happened. The oppressed must fight back to regain their freedom.
Listen to these statements by prominent members of the Caliphate. Governor Ibrahim Shekaru of Kano on behalf of the Caliphate and the people of Northern Nigeria warned the Oil producing communities to stop asking to exercise control over their land and the natural resources in it because: “you have not given a good account of how you spent the 13% allocation we gave to you.” What Governor Shekaru is saying is that all the Oil producing communities in Eastern Nigeria should be thankful that the Caliphate and the Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchs were kind enough to have given them 13% of the money the Caliphate stole from their land. Secondly since in the eyes of the Caliphate these communities have not given a good account to their master Caliph how they spent the 13% given to them, they should stop talking about controlling the resources in the land God gave to the Caliphate to manage.
Ambassador Hassan Adamu who is a delegate to the Obasanjo conference stated: “Rather than talk about resource control, the debate should center on resource management. What we need to talk about is how you manage the resources that are available and given to you to address certain issues.” Those who do not understand where the Caliphate is going with this, please listen to another prominent son of the Caliphate.
Dr. Bala Usman categorically states: “The British did not conquer the pre-colonial polities of Nigeria only to leave alone their land and minerals. They took full control over these, as the sovereign power. Whatever sovereign rights the governments of the pre-colonial polities of the Niger Delta and its hinterland had, over the soil, water, and minerals of the areas, were destroyed by the British conquest.” Usman continues:
“Those states of Nigeria, upstream from the delta, in the Niger-Benue basin, should take exclusive ownership and control of the river water and its sediments drained away from them to form the delta and its hinterland and demand their share from the returns from the export of crude oil and gas in proportion to what their vegetation, faeces, dead bodies, animal remains, and fertile soil, generally contributed to the making of these minerals for hundreds of thousands and even millions of years.” There you have it clear as crystal. The Caliphate has drawn a line in the sand: (1) The people of Eastern Nigeria: Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Igbo, Ijaw, Ekoi, Ogoja, Isoko, Itsekiri, Esan, Urhobo and even Yoruba were conquered by the British, their land taken away and at Independence handed over to the Caliphate Federal Government of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Therefore the land of the Niger Delta belongs to the Caliphate. (2) Oil, Gas, and water that are found in the Niger Delta came originally from the North. So the Oil, Gas and water belong to the people of the Caliphate. Conclusion: The demand for resource control by Oil producing communities in Southern Nigeria is a misnomer.
The people of Eastern Nigeria must realize that this is an extremely serious matter and stop treating it as a matter of compromise. The longer you wait, delay and postpone the more difficult it becomes. All the people and communities in Eastern Nigeria must come together, speak with one voice and make it abundantly clear to the Government and people of Nigeria especially the Caliphate and the Hausa Fulani Yoruba Oligarchs that:
1) The land as well as the minerals in the land in Eastern Nigeria belongs to the different communities living on the land and not the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is extremely important to establish this fundamental principle of private ownership.
2) Under natural and international law the people who own the land will exercise control over the land as well as the natural resources in the land.
3) Any laws or edicts made by any government which purports to divest, or take away the right of the people to private ownership of their land as well as the natural resources in it is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
4) The concepts of “allocation” and “derivation” are not applicable to private property of the people of Eastern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must henceforth cease to apply such terms to the land and resources belonging to the private communities and individuals in Eastern Nigeria. The people and communities may be taxed on the income they derive from the land and natural resources that is rightly their own.
5) Only with express consent from the owners of the land coupled with appropriate compensation will the government appropriate their land and then only specifically for development purposes.
Having clearly established these facts the people of Eastern Nigeria must prepare to fight to regain their land. Initial fights will take the form of negotiation around a conference table for a peaceful resolution of the issue. If that fails the people must use any and every means at their disposal to remove the intruders who have forcibly taken control of their God given land for their personal enrichment. It is not just a right, it is a duty. The youths must be in the vanguard of this struggle and insist that whoever is representing them at any talks must toe this line and insist on these principles and failure to do so will attract drastic punishment. Any agreements reached must be ratified by the communities thus represented. Any one waiting until the Caliphate and the Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchs voluntarily hand over the land and resources they have appropriated by force will wait until hell freezes over.
There has been Kiama declaration, Ogoni Bill of Rights, Aklaka Declaration, Bill of Rights of the Oron People, The Warri Accord, and Resolutions of the Urhobo Economic Summit, Ikwerre Rescue Charter, and other charters. They are all good. But unless you all come together and confront the Caliphate and the Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchy with a united front every effort will be wasted and you all will remain a colonized people. Biafra is the only viable alternative to the nightmare that is Nigeria. Free and independent Republic of Biafra is our only hope. The alternative will only mean the persistence of this recurring problem and no sane Biafran or person from Eastern Nigeria would want this. United we stand, divided we fall. A word is enough for the wise.
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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