metro
S’East govs set for showdown with IPOB over two-week sit-at-home order
S’East govs set for showdown with IPOB over two-week sit-at-home order
The two-week sit-at-home order declared in the South-East by a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa, is unsettling political leaders in the area.
The leaders including state governors have however resolved to tackle the problem frontally.
Indeed, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo state governments have vowed not to allow non-state actors to continue disrupting governance in the South-East.
They said the two-week sit-at-home order would not be observed and warned the IPOB factional group not to dare the powers of the government.
The Simon Ekpa group had said the two-week sit-at-home in the region would happen from July 31 to August 14.
Ekpa on Tuesday specifically declared that the sit-at-home would take place in the following order: Monday, July 31, 2023 to Friday, August 4, 2023, there will be total lockdown in Biafraland;
He said, “Saturday, August 5, 2023 and Sunday, August 6, 2023, all Biafran markets will open respectively.
“Monday, August 7, 2023 to Friday, August 11, 2023, there will be total lockdown in Biafraland; Saturday, August 12, 2023 and Sunday, August 13, 2023 (Break), all Biafran markets will open; Monday, August 14, 2023, there will be lockdown in Biafraland.
“We hereby call on all market leaders to strictly adhere to this order and treat it with utmost seriousness.”
But responding, Anambra government said it would never yield to non-state actors.
The state government, through the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Christian Aburime, said Ekpa was a fugitive who should be completely ignored.
Aburime said, “Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo will never yield to non-state actors on this illegal sit-at-home order.
“Simon Ekpa is a fugitive and rabble-rouser who should be completely ignored by the citizens of Anambra and by extension, the entire South-East.”
“Our markets, schools, businesses, and other social activities will remain open. Anambra State will never be a breeding ground for anarchy, fear, or lawlessness,” he added.
Enugu State government also described Simon Ekpa as a villain, a criminal, stressing that nobody would obey him in the state and that the illegal sit-at-home had ended in Enugu.
In his reaction, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State declared that there is nothing like sit- at- home in the state.
The governor stated this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after participating in a meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with governors , house of assembly speakers, National Assembly members and other leaders from the South East zone at Imo State Governor’s Lodge Asokoro, Abuja.
Governor Nwifuru said what played out a week ago in Ebonyi State was a case of miscreants who attempted to put fear in residents and disrupt businesses.
“I am surprised to hear sit-at-home from you because there is nothing like sit- at-home in Ebonyi. We never for one day observed sit-at-home and I know you are aware.
“Some people only wanted to know if they can start putting tension in people and we said no; they don’t have such powers; they can’t do that and it didn’t happen.”
A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, has called on the governors of the South East region to ensure that the people are not overpowered by miscreants enforcing sit-at-home orders.
Nwodo who was former Governor of Enugu State said that Simon Ekpa, who continues to declare sit-at-home orders in South East is endangering the lives and properties of the people of the region.
He said there are other ways of putting pressure on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, other than the frequent sit-at-home orders.
“Does Simon Ekpa know that some people in South East Nigeria are in hospitals and that medical personnel need to attend to their health needs? He is strangulating our economy by declaring frequent sit-at-home orders.
“I always say that there are other ways to put pressure on the Federal Government to obey court orders and release Nnamdi Kanu. The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanyu, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and other stakeholders from South East continue to appeal to the conscience of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, to release Kanu, so that peace can return to South East.
“There are other ways that do not constitute a danger to the lives and economy of residents and people of South East than what Ekpa is doing. Can he declare sit-at-home in any part of Finland where he is currently residing?”
“We must equally put pressure on Governors of South East and the security agencies to guarantee the security of lives and properties of the residents of South East region, ” he said.
S’East govs set for showdown with IPOB over two-week sit-at-home order
metro
Zulum Defends NAF Airstrike, Says Jilli Market Closed Five Years Ago
Zulum Defends NAF Airstrike, Says Jilli Market Closed Five Years Ago
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has defended the Nigerian military over a controversial airstrike in Jilli, insisting that the location widely described as a “market” had been shut down for years due to insurgency.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor said the Jilli market in Gubio Local Government Area—located along the Borno–Yobe border—was officially closed about five years ago as part of security measures to curb terrorist activities.
Zulum described Jilli as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics networks, stressing that it no longer functioned as a legitimate civilian marketplace.
“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Jilli market… Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago,” the governor said.
He added that his administration is in active consultation with the Yobe State Government and military authorities to fully assess the situation and ensure proper coordination going forward.
The airstrike, carried out on April 11, 2026, by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, reportedly targeted suspected terrorist positions in the area following intelligence reports and earlier operations in the corridor.
READ ALSO:
- Dabiri-Erewa Warns Obidients Could Hurt Peter Obi’s 2027 Ambition
- BREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno
- Fayose Warns Makinde May Query Olubadan Over Absence at Ibadan Coronation Event
However, initial reports indicated that over 50 people were feared killed, sparking concern over possible civilian casualties and raising questions about the nature of the target.
Eyewitness accounts suggested that the strike hit a location believed by locals to be a weekly trading point, triggering panic among residents as explosions rocked the area.
In response, Zulum emphasised that the Borno State Government maintains strict protocols before reopening markets or resettling communities affected by insurgency, noting that such decisions are made in close coordination with security agencies.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting civilians while supporting military operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks across the North-East.
The governor also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces by providing credible intelligence that could aid ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.
Military authorities have yet to release a detailed official report confirming casualty figures or clarifying the full circumstances of the strike.
Security analysts say the incident highlights the complex challenges of counterinsurgency warfare, where distinguishing between civilian activity and insurgent logistics hubs remains difficult, particularly in volatile border communities.
Despite the controversy, the Nigerian military has continued intensified operations across key areas in Borno and neighbouring states, targeting supply routes and strongholds used by extremist groups.
Zulum Defends NAF Airstrike, Says Jilli Market Closed Five Years Ago
metro
BREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno
BREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested a 15-year-old suspect allegedly involved in the deadly attack that killed Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, another officer, and two soldiers in Borno State.
The suspect, identified simply as Tijjani, was apprehended on Sunday in Ngamdu while reportedly on an errand to procure food supplies for members of his group.
In a video recorded after his arrest, the teenager confessed to being part of the armed group responsible for coordinated attacks in Benisheik and Ngamdu, areas that have witnessed renewed insurgent activity in recent months.
According to the suspect, the group operated from Jilli, a location described by military sources as a known logistics and movement hub for insurgents in the region. He said they moved from Jilli to carry out the attack and later returned to the same location.
Tijjani further disclosed that he had been sent with about ₦850,000 to collect logistics supplies from Ngamdu before his arrest. He added that he left his colleagues behind at Jilli and was unaware of subsequent developments following the operation.
READ ALSO:
- Fayose Warns Makinde May Query Olubadan Over Absence at Ibadan Coronation Event
- Manchester City Beat Chelsea 3–0 to Close Gap on Arsenal
- Police Arrest Suspect Over Fake Job Interview Robbery in Magodo
The late General Braimah, who commanded the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI, was killed on Thursday when suspected Boko Haram fighters launched an assault on a military base in the area. The attack also claimed the lives of another officer and two soldiers, underscoring the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the North-East.
Military sources indicate that the arrest of the teenage suspect is part of ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and cutting off their supply chains across Borno State.
Security analysts say the involvement of minors in insurgent activities highlights a disturbing pattern of recruitment by extremist groups, who often deploy young individuals for logistics, surveillance, and operational roles.
The Nigerian military has intensified surveillance and clearance operations across key corridors such as Jilli, Ngamdu, and Benisheik, following recent attacks, with the aim of preventing further assaults and restoring stability in the region.
Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive official statement on the arrest, but security operations are expected to continue as efforts to track down other members of the group intensify.
The development comes amid renewed commitment by Operation HADIN KAI to sustain pressure on insurgents and disrupt their activities across the North-East.
BREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno
metro
Fayose Warns Makinde May Query Olubadan Over Absence at Ibadan Coronation Event
Fayose Warns Makinde May Query Olubadan Over Absence at Ibadan Coronation Event
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has suggested that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde may issue an official query to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, following his absence at a recent high chiefs’ coronation ceremony in Ibadan.
The event, held at Mapo Hall, saw Governor Makinde present beaded crowns to three newly elevated traditional rulers as part of ongoing chieftaincy reforms in Ibadanland. However, the absence of the Olubadan from the April 3 ceremony has sparked public debate and political reactions.
Fayose, speaking on the development, claimed that the monarch’s absence—reportedly due to a prior engagement in Lagos—alongside other alleged concerns, could prompt a formal government query in the coming days. He did not provide official documentation but insisted the situation could escalate into a government–palace dispute if not carefully managed.
The Olubadan’s palace has already clarified that his absence was not due to any disagreement with the state government, dismissing speculation of a rift between the traditional institution and Governor Makinde’s administration.
READ ALSO:
- Manchester City Beat Chelsea 3–0 to Close Gap on Arsenal
- Police Arrest Suspect Over Fake Job Interview Robbery in Magodo
- BREAKING: ADC Names Atiku, Peter Obi, Others for Tuesday Convention Planning
Some critics of the ceremony have also described the event as a “failed coronation,” alleging that the exercise may have cost over ₦1.5 billion, though no official financial breakdown has been released to confirm the claim.
At the time of filing this report, neither the Oyo State Government nor the Olubadan-in-Council had issued an official response to Fayose’s latest comments or the circulating allegations.
The development comes against the backdrop of long-standing sensitivities in Ibadan chieftaincy politics, where traditional authority structures have often intersected with state governance and public debate.
Observers note that Fayose’s intervention adds a new political dimension to an already delicate issue, especially given his history of public disagreements with Governor Makinde during his tenure in Ekiti politics.
For now, the situation remains fluid, with stakeholders calling for restraint and clarification to prevent further escalation between the state government and the traditional institution.
Fayose Warns Makinde May Query Olubadan Over Absence at Ibadan Coronation Event
-
metro2 days agoJUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria
-
metro2 days ago42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man
-
Politics2 days agoDid Faleke Just Reveal Lagos’ Next Governor? Party Moves Begin
-
metro10 hours agoBREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno
-
Education3 days agoGermany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Oyo APC Governorship Aspirant Saheed Oladele Resigns From Party
-
metro2 days agoADC Threatens Civil Disobedience To Force INEC Chairman To Resign
-
Business3 days agoNigeria May Face ₦2,000 Petrol Price Without Intervention, TUC Warns FG