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Flooding: Kogi govt reacts to ICIR’s report on inadequate preparations

Ijeoma OPARA
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Flooding: Kogi govt reacts to ICIR’s report on inadequate preparations

THE Kogi State Government has reacted to The ICIR’s report on its inadequate preparations ahead of predicted flooding in the state this year.

Kogi is among the states that were devastated by flooding in 2022 and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that the state is among those likely to be affected by the disaster in 2023.

However, an investigation published by The ICIR revealed that the state is largely unprepared in the face of imminent flooding as the rainy season intensifies.

Reacting to the report, the Commissioner for Environment Victor Adewale Omofaiye, in a statement sent to The ICIR on Sunday, July 16, said the Kogi State Government is making efforts to improve its emergency response mechanisms.

“We acknowledge that flood warnings are crucial indicators for prompt action, and we have an established system in place to receive and respond to such signals.

“The Kogi State Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with relevant agencies, constantly monitors weather patterns, river levels, and flood forecasts provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” he noted.

The ICIR reported that residents of Kogi State are still at risk of losing lives and properties due to inadequate mitigation strategies, despite early warnings.

Many drainage systems in the state have been converted into dumpsites due to a lack of proper waste management and some residents of rural areas were unaware of the impending flood.

Residents of Kogi also continue to reside in flood-prone areas, despite recommendations by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that such inhabitants be relocated by the government.

The ICIR contacted the Ministry of Environment on plans being made ahead of the predicted floods but did not get answers to questions sent.

However, reacting to the report, Omofaiye said the ministry’s strategies following flood predictions include early sensitisation and public awareness campaigns.

“We have implemented early warning systems in flood-prone areas to alert residents and local authorities of impending floods. These systems utilise various communication channels, including text messages, sirens, and community mobilisation,” he noted.

He also said construction of infrastructure, including embankments and reservoirs, and plans to evacuate residents of flood-prone areas, were part of the ministry’s response to flood warnings.

“We have developed comprehensive evacuation plans in collaboration with local government authorities to ensure the safe relocation of residents living in high-risk areas. These plans are regularly updated and tested to enhance effectiveness,” the statement read.

The commissioner, however, stated that human factors such as blockage of water channels and climate change were contributing to the problem of flooding in the state.

“It is important to note that despite our best efforts, flooding remains a complex and challenging issue. Kogi State is prone to both riverine and flash floods due to its geographical location and topography. The severity and unpredictability of weather patterns, combined with human activities such as illegal construction and blockage of drainage channels, contribute to the complexity of flood management,” Omofaiye noted.

Victory Gbakara wins Nigerian Idol Season 8

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Victory Gbakara wins Nigerian Idol Season 8

DELTA State born singer, songwriter and performer, Victory Gbakara has emerged the winner of Nigerian Idol Season 8.

Following weeks of performances by the top 10 contestants, Nigerian Idol Season 8 came to an end on the evening of Sunday, July 17 with Gbakara clinching the esteemed title ‘Nigerian Idol’ after beating his strongest rival, Precious Mac, to the top prize.

Following the victory, Gbakara secured exciting prizes presented by the Executive Head, Content & West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola including a cash prize of N35 million, a brand new SUV, an all-expense-paid trip sponsored by Tecno, a Bigi-branded refrigerator and a year’s supply of refreshing Bigi drinks.

Also, he was bestowed with a record deal, accompanied by a music video shoot. Furthermore, he received a year’s supply of WAW detergent and a fully installed DStv Explora with a premium subscription for a duration of 12 months.

Final performances

The evening kicked off with a joint performance from the host, judges, and top 10 Nigerian idols as they sang ‘Hall of Fame’, a 2014 song by the Star of Copenhagen, Switzerland. 

Then Precious Mac performed ‘Rockabye’ by Cleabandit. This was followed by performances from other Nigerian artistes including Fave, Johnny Drille and the Nigerian Idol Season 7 winner, Progress.

Thereafter, Victory Gbakara performed ‘Locked out of Heaven’ by Bruno Mars. The two top finalists performed ‘Stay’ by Rihanna, the final performance before the winner was announced.

As earlier reported by The ICIR, Nigerian Idol has been providing a platform for many talented singers to launch their careers and gain recognition in the Nigerian music industry.

The winner of this year’s edition had said winning the competition will give him an excellent platform to grow and move his music career to the the level.

NDLEA arrests teenager, female lawyer for drug possession

Ijeoma OPARA
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NDLEA arrests teenager, female lawyer for drug possession

A 19-year-old student, Benjamin Nnamani Daberechi, has been apprehended with 7.2kg of mathamphetamine by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, July 16.

The consignment was concealed in a bag of crayfish with the intention to export the products to Europe, where Daberechi was headed for his undergraduate studies.

“The teenage suspect was intercepted on Wednesday 12th July, during an outward clearance of passengers on Turkish Airlines flight TK 0624.

“While being interviewed by operatives, Daberechi claimed he was a student on his way to Cyprus for studies, but upon a thorough search of his luggage, he was found in possession of 7.2kg of whitish substance neatly concealed inside a sack of crayfish. A field test of the substance however proved positive to Methamphetamine,” Babafemi noted.

He also said a female lawyer based in the Lekki area of Lagos state Ebikpolade Helen was arrested in Anambra State for the production and distribution of ‘skuchies’ a local drink manufactured using cannabis, opioids and blackcurrant.

Twelve bottles of the prepared drink and 5kg of cannabis were recovered from her Lekki-residence by the NDLEA.

Other operations carried out across the country led to the arrest of a Lagos resident Abubakar Shuaibu caught with 86 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, an Ondo resident Abubakar Zayanu Gyambar found with 262 jumbo bags of skunk, among others.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria is a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets.

Traffickers smuggle large amounts of illicit drugs through the country which is having adverse effects on migration conditions for Nigerians.

On Saturday July 15, The ICIR reported that The Republic of Seychelles confirmed a ban on Nigerian tourists due to criminal activities traced to some Nigerian tourists, including drug trafficking and fraud.

“We have seen a clear link between this with certain people from Nigeria. In the past two weeks, for example, 13 people coming from Nigeria have been arrested when entering Seychelles because they were carrying drugs into the country,” the country’s Vice President Ahmed Afif said.

 

FG borrowings from CBN hit N25trn in March, CBN says

Harrison EDEH
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FG borrowings from CBN hit N25trn in March, CBN says

THE Nigerian Federal Government’s borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through Ways and Means Advances hit N1.83 trillion in the first quarter of 2023.

This pushed Federal government’s borrowings from the CBN to N25.36 trillion in March 2023, from N23.53 trillion in December 2022, as disclosed in provisional data from the apex bank through its quarterly statistical bulletin.

The Ways and Means Advances is a loan facility a central bank offers the government to finance temporary budget shortfalls, subject to limits imposed by law.

Rising debts and debt servicing have remained a huge problem to Nigeria’s economy. According to a World Bank report, the Federal government uses over 90 per cent of its revenue to service debts. The development, economic experts say, does not augur well for funding of key infrastructural projects in the country.

To worsen the situation, the Federal government’s unification of exchange rates has resulted in the rise of the national debt to N82 trillion.

Economic watchers had kicked against the apex bank’s lending to the Federal government because of what they regarded as its dire consequences on inflation.

“The inability of the Federal government to repay money loaned it by the CBN is responsible for rising inflation, rising cost of borrowing, and crowding out of the private sector from business,” an economist and chief executive officer officer of CFG Advisory, Adetilewa Adebajo, said.

Another economist, Kelvin Emmanuel, told The ICIR that one implication of the development is that it puts intense pressure on lending to small and medium enterprises.

Emmanuel said, “You notice that cash supply deposits are higher than the production outlook of the economy. When so much cash is chasing few goods without commensurate production and services, it creates a problem.”

According to Section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007, the apex bank may grant temporary advances to the Federal government with regard to temporary deficiency of budget revenue at such rate of interest as the bank may determine.

The section declares that in the event of a revenue shortfall, the CBN must not lend to the Federal government an amount more than 5 per cent of the previous year’s revenue of the government.

That section of the CBN Act aims to prevent the overreliance of the Federal government on CBN financing, instead of opening up the economy to boost domestic investments and attract foreign direct investments.

Emefiele: NBA, rights groups say charges politically motivated

Vincent Ufuoma
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Emefiele: NBA, rights groups say charges politically motivated

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), some senior lawyers and human rights groups have called on the Federal Government to uphold the principles of the rule of law, fairness, and justice in the case against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

They also described the charges filed against Emefiele by the Department of State Services (DSS) as politically motivated.

Emefiele was arrested on June 10 over allegations bordering on economic sabotage and threat to national security amongst others and has since remained in the custody of the DSS.

He was arrested and detained shortly after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on June 9, to pave the way for an investigation into criminal offences he was alleged to have committed as CBN governor.

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the DSS one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him. Another judge ordered for his release last week.

Shortly after the court issued the one-week ultimatum, the DSS announced that charges have been filed against Emefiele.

Emefiele was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a single-barrel shotgun and ammunition without a license under the Firearms Laws of the Federation 2004. The DSS claimed to have found the items during a search of Emefiele’s Ikoyi residence.

However, in separate reactions to the development, the NBA, human rights activists and some civil society organisations (CSOs) have criticised the DSS for arresting and detaining Emefiele for nearly a month.

They argued that the recent charge of gun and ammunition possession was politically motivated.

They called on the Federal Government to respect the decisions of the courts regarding Emefiele’s arrest and detention, and to ensure that his trial follows legal procedures.

They groups also dismissed the charges filed against Emefiele as lacking substance and a distraction from more pressing issues.

The groups equally urged the DSS to focus on resolving pressing security issues affecting the country, and to uphold the rule of law and respect individual rights.

The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, emphasised the importance of respecting court decisions regarding Emefiele’s arrest and detention.

He expressed his expectation that Tinubu, as the newly appointed head of state, would not allow the organisations under his purview to disobey court orders. Daudu insisted that Emefiele’s trial should adhere to established legal procedures.

“I do not think that the President, Bola Tinubu, who is a newly minted President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will like to start his administration with the organisations under him disobeying court orders,” Vanguard newspaper quoted him as saying.

An Abuja-based human rights activist Abdulazeez Tijani faulted the prolonged detention of Emefiele while the DSS was still investigating his case.

Tijani pointed out that the DSS had been trying to arrest Emefiele for more than four months, and they should have concluded their investigation by now.

“The DSS cannot hide under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, to hold a Nigerian citizen till eternity because ACJA is inferior to the 1999 Constitution.”

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law, Monday Ubani, also described the charges against Emefiele as false and misleading.

“I think these people are taking us for granted. They believed we are all fools. Did they not tell us that Emefiele was involved in financing terrorists? What has happened to that allegation? What has happened to the allegation of misappropriation of the money for printing new currency?

“What has happened to the allegation of stamp duty money allegedly squandered by Emefiele? What has happened to the allegation of manipulating our foreign exchange with Buhari cabals? What has happened to the allegation of operating several secret accounts not known to the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

Constitutional lawyer and Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Chima Williams, believed that the charge against Emefiele was politically motivated.

“Some of us see his travail as political more than any other thing. I had predicted that Emefiele will be in trouble if Tinubu becomes the President of Nigeria and there are no two ways about it, and I am not disappointed because what we thought will happen is happening.

“If we are going to move our nation forward we should look beyond the individuals and look at the laws because that is what would guarantee freedom, safety and people’s respect for institutions.”

The Chair of the Board of Trustees for Amnesty International (Nigeria), Auwal Rafsanjani, also dismissed the charges against Emefiele as lacking substance and serving as a distraction from more critical issues.

He criticised the DSS for prioritising frivolous allegations while the country grappled with severe challenges such as insecurity, economic instability, and social unrest. Rafsanjani called on the DSS to focus on resolving these pressing issues instead.

Outrage as GTBank mobile app update leaves customers stranded

Ehime ALEX
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Outrage as GTBank mobile app update leaves customers stranded

FOLLOWING a recent update on GTWorld mobile banking app, customers of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) have been unable to access the new version, cut off from the old application and thereby left stranded in efforts to effect transactions.

GTBank, a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, had announced an app update, informing its millions of customers through text and email that it would automatically update to the new version on July 12.

“On the 12 July, we will release the new and updated version of the GTWorld Mobile Banking App to Play Store and App Store. This means that when you launch the GTWorld Mobile Banking App, you will see a newly designed interface if you have App Updates set on automatic.

“However, if App Update is not set to automatic on your mobile device, you will need to manually update your GTWorld Mobile App to experience the newly designed app. Please note that we will discontinue support of the current version of the GTWorld App on 12 August,” the message read.

The bank’s customers are, however, finding it impossible to update to the new version as the process keeps returning errors.

“I have been trying to update the GTWorld banking app on my phone to the new version since July 14 but to no avail,” Tope Somuwa, a GTBank customer told The ICIR.

The process of updating to the new version is a total failure, Somuwa lamented.

The customer, a technology expert, said the project manager was supposed to test-run the update processes before launching the new version.

He explained that when he attempted to update the app, the process requested he put his phone number, but after he did, it returned an error, saying no Internet connection.

He said he tried with another Internet network, but the same issue persisted.

“You can keep trying it for a whole day without a result,” Somuwa lamented.

When the process of inputting the phone number eventually went through, the OTP (One Time Password) code expected to be generated did not arrive on his phone line up till the time he spoke with The ICIR.

“Subsequent retry will ask you to put another phone number,” Somuwa said.

He spoke of how he tried unsuccessfully on Friday, July 14, to transfer money to a client.

“I even tried to use the bank’s website but it was down as of Friday, July 14. I tried it out many times,” he added.

A GTBank staff, who spoke with The ICIR on Saturday, July 15, admitted to the issue, and said the bank had been having a network problem over the past three days.

The staff said GTBank marketers had been appealing to customers to be patient with the bank, but that in the meantime, customers can use the USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) code, *737*1*amount*account number#, for their transactions.

Many of the bank’s customers have gone to the social media to express their disappointment for being locked out of the GTBank’s app.

A customer Ahmadu Galadima with handle, @AhmaduGaladima, tweeted, “@gtbank don’t know what happened to you, but why on earth will you force an app update and not allow me log in with old credentials, do a password reset, use a secret question, the actual account number or card last 6digits etc? Why ask for just a phone no with an OTP that takes a year 2 drop?”

Similarly, @jude_chiji said, “Please fix this app asap, I am not able to go from the first screen and stock on the OTP screen, cos no OTP is coming forth. Please fix this.”

Seychelles confirms travel ban on Nigerians over drug trafficking, fraud

Ijeoma OPARA
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Seychelles confirms travel ban on Nigerians over drug trafficking, fraud

THE Republic of Seychelles has confirmed a travel ban on Nigerian tourists due to criminal activities, including drug trafficking and internet fraud.

According to a report by Seychelles News Agency, the country’s Vice-President Ahmed Afif confirmed the development tp journalists. Afif disclosed that some Nigerians have been linked to activities which the country considers to be dangerous to its economy.

“We have seen a clear link between this with certain people from Nigeria. In the past two weeks, for example, 13 people coming from Nigeria have been arrested when entering Seychelles because they were carrying drugs into the country,” the Vice President said.

He, however, noted that Nigerians with diplomatic passports, resident or valid work permits issued by the country would be granted access.

Most Nigerian tourists coming to Seychelles are part of an organised syndicate 

“For the others, the government will keep its eyes open and SEBS (Seychelles Electronic Border System) will analyse much more to find out what reasons they are coming example someone who is coming for a holiday for only one day. We have to ask questions because it is strange and we have seen that happening.

“When we checked the payments made for them to come to Seychelles, it is from only one source. This is for different people coming on different days which shows an organised syndicate,” Afif said.

He added that some Nigerian tourists have duped several establishments of huge funds through the use of false credit cards.

“These people spent free holidays in the country at the expense of the establishment owners and there is nothing that can be done for them.

“There are other online scams originating from Nigeria. We have seen that these people are also coming to Seychelles and doing those scams. We do not have a problem with Nigeria or its people though we do not tolerate such criminal activities in our country.”

Before the confirmation of restrictions by Afif, there were widespread speculations of a possible travel ban on Nigerian tourists following rejection emails received from Seychelles’ Immigration authorities.

The ICIR reported that the ban may have been prompted by growing concerns over the involvement of Nigerian nationals in drug-related activities within the country.

President of the Nigerian community in Seychelles Mathias Adidi also stated that a syndicate in Nigeria is involved in smuggling drugs into the country.

“I am Mathias Adidi the President of the Nigerian community in Seychelles. Please help us inform Nigerians. Someone in Nigeria is sending Nigerians to bring drugs to Seychelles. And is not safe. They are been arrested every day,” Adidi wrote in a post.

Prior to the ban, Nigerian citizens enjoyed a long-standing visa-free agreement with Seychelles, allowing them to enter the country without a visa for up to 30 days.

About just six months ago, Nigeria and Seychelles signed an agreement for direct flights between the two countries.

Gas explosion razes building in Lagos

Beloved JOHN
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Gas explosion razes building in Lagos

A gas explosion has caused a fire outbreak at a residential building on Cachol Street in the Ojo area of Lagos State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 15, after a camp gas exploded in the eight-room bungalow.

According to the spokesperson of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Amodu Shakiri, an occupant of the building, was cooking in the corridor when the explosion occurred.

“The call came in at about 9:05 am and we were able to isolate the fire to only the building alone while adjoining buildings were safe from the gas-induced fire,” he said.

“One of the occupants of the building was cooking with a camp gas when it exploded and the building was severely burnt with content therein. We also found that the passage was used as their kitchen because there was no specific area identified as a kitchen on the premises. We also counted not less than six camp gases in there.”

Shakiri noted that the incident would have been fatal if not for the intervention of some officers from the Ojo military cantonment.

He said the officers protected firefighters who were carrying out their duties.

The incident led to the destruction of many properties. However, there were no casualties.

The occupants of the building escaped unhurt.

There have been several cases of gas explosion in Lagos.

Last month, an explosion at Ijaiye, beside the Apostolic Church in the Agege area of the state, affected four persons – three females and one male.

A shop where gas cylinders was stored caught fire. According to reports, one of the gas cylinders exploded as a result of gas leakage and in the process caught fire, affecting the shop whilst other shops and adjoining buildings were salvaged.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has also urged the state government to conduct regular drills on safety measures regarding gas handling.

The body said it is only way to prevent tragic but avoidable deaths from gas explosions in the state.

NDLEA investigates killing of two-year-old by operative

Ijeoma OPARA
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NDLEA investigates killing of two-year-old by operative

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it is investigating the killing of a two-year-old by one of its operatives in Delta State.

This was disclosed in a statement by NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Saturday, July 15.

“The Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has, after receiving initial briefings from the Delta State Command of NDLEA, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to Immediately proceed to Asaba for an on-the-spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.

“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s),” Babafemi noted.

The two-year-old Ivan Omhonria died from injuries sustained after an NDLEA operative shot him during a raid in the Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta State.

Babafemi said the gunshot was a result of an accidental discharge.

“A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.

“In a bid demobilise the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately died in the process,” Babafemi noted.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Delta State Police Command Bright Edafe also confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, July 15.

“The Command is aware of this sad and unfortunate incident. The case has been transferred to SCID Asaba, and all parties involved will appear before the CP on Monday. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the little child,” Edafe said.

Sit-at-home: IPOB warns Army against extra-judicial killings in South-East

Ijeoma OPARA
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Sit-at-home: IPOB warns Army against extra-judicial killings in South-East

THE Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the Nigerian Army against carrying out extra-judicial killings in the South-East while going after sit-at-home enforcers.

The warning followed an order issued by Chief of Army (COAS) Staff Taoreed Lagbaja, who directed troops of the Nigerian Army to go after hoodlums enforcing sit-at-home orders in the South-East.

The COAS issued the order after Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa ordered a two weeks sit-at-home in the South-East, starting from July 31.

IPOB reacted to the COAS’ directive in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful on Friday, July 14.

The group accused the Nigerian military of evil motives during previous interventions and added that attempts by the Army to invade the region would be resisted.

“The Nigeria Army uses every opportunity to extra-judicially murder Igbo people any time they are deployed to the East. That is why we object to their presence as much as we detest the malicious sit-at-home and violent enforcement from agent provocateurs. We oppose military interventions because they will be used to kill and destroy the livelihood of our people.

“The Nigerian military must not use this as a conduit to illegally arrest, detain, and kill innocent Igbo youths, mothers, fathers, and even innocent IPOB members and ESN. IPOB members have no hands in the sit-at-home. We advocate that anyone caught violently enforcing the oppressive sit-at-home should be arrested, investigated, and their sponsors brought to book. The Nigerian military should not allow ethnic hatred and biases to becloud their professional ethics,” the statement read.

Powerful, again, dissociated IPOB from Ekpa, who heads a separate faction of the group.

He added that continuously linking IPOB to violent enforcement of sit-at-home orders across the region was blackmail.

“General Lagbaja and the government of Nigeria are aware of the man responsible for the violent enforcement of sit-at-home in the East. Why, then, are they shying away from accusing him? Instead, they prefer to unleash military mayhem on our people in the guise of going after sit-at-home enforcers.

“They know their camps, so why not visit them there and stop them and stop linking this peaceful IPOB agitation to their criminalities. If they are not behind Simon Ekpa, why haven’t they made any official complaints against him as a democratic government should?”

IPOB said the release of its leader Nnamdi Kanu who was arrested in 2021 and has remained in detention, would end the insecurity ravaging the region.

Enforcement of sit-at-home orders in the South-East has led to loss of lives, property and left adverse economic impacts on the region.

An investigation by The ICIR revealed that the region loses at least N4.6 trillion naira annually to Monday-sit-at-home orders.

Many Nigerians have criticised those enforcing the sit-at-home orders. Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections Peter Obi described them as criminals.

The Chief of Army Staff Lagbaja directed soldiers to raid IPOB hideouts and apprehend enforcers in the region. This directive came after the Ekpa-led faction of the group declared a two-week sit-at-home order to begin on July 31.

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