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‘No going back on Biafra struggle’ — IPOB breaks silence on Kanu’s arrest
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has confirmed the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, but said the development is “not the end of the road”.
In a statement shared with TheCable on Wednesday, Emma Powerful, the group’s spokesman, asked IPOB members to “mobilise” and attend the court hearing on July 26 when Kanu’s trial will continue.
Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), said on Tuesday that Kanu, who leads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services.”
The separatist leader was subsequently taken to the federal high court where a judge granted an order for him to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) until July 26.
But in the statement titled, ‘Nothing should happen to our leader’, Powerful said Kanu was “abducted” by the federal government “in collaboration with all those that view IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as stumbling block against their bid to hold Biafra in perpetual slavery.”
“IPOB will not relent in the pursuit of Biafra freedom. We have crossed the Rubicon in our struggle for the restoration of Biafran Sovereignty. There is no going back no matter the level of intimidation by our oppressors,” he said.
“Our Leader can never be coerced into abandoning the struggle for Biafra restoration irrespective of the circumstance. At this very challenging moment in the history of our march to freedom, all IPOB family members must stand firm and resolute behind our selfless leader.”
Powerful further said that Kanu deserves justice and a fair hearing as he faces trial on an 11-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society and illegal possession of firearms.
“We also want to state unequivocally, that no harm should befall our leader. Should anything untoward happen to him, Nigeria Government will be held accountable for it,” he added.
For almost four years after he fled Nigeria in 2017, Kanu piloted the affairs of IPOB from abroad, mostly from the UK where he runs Radio Biafra and engages in fierce monologues preaching his separatist cause.
The group has since become stronger and more emboldened, although it has been outlawed and tagged a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian military and a court.
While in the UK, Kanu launched the Eastern Security Network (ESN) as a militant arm of IPOB which he claimed will protect the south-east from criminal activities.
But the emergence of ESN coincided with a spike in attacks against security and government infrastructure in the region.
TheCable found out that killings in the south-east tripled after the security outfit was launched — the group denies any wrongdoing.
The secessionist group also forged an alliance with the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), the separatist movement in Southern Cameroon, to exchange weapons and personnel.
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Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
According to Ope George, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has surged from N27 trillion to N41 trillion over the past four years.
George highlighted that this achievement positions Lagos as the 7th largest economy in Africa based on GDP.
At the ministerial press briefing marking the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, George emphasized the state’s significant contribution, constituting over 20% of Nigeria’s GDP.
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He remarked, “Currently, we are ranked 7th in GDP in Africa. Our trajectory demonstrates positive growth despite past challenges.”
The commissioner revealed that the state government recorded a total revenue of N433.408 billion in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year.
George elaborated, “Quarterly performance indicates 92% revenue realization at N433.408 billion. Recurrent expenditure reached 80%, totalling N189.624 billion, while capital expenditure achieved 54% performance at N178.728 billion. Total expenditure (budget size) stood at 65% performance, amounting to N368.352 billion.”
He further outlined the details of the approved Y2024 budget, which includes a total revenue projection of N1.880 trillion, deficit financing of N387.125 billion, capital expenditure of N1.315 trillion, and recurrent expenditure of N952.431 billion (including debt charges), maintaining capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42.
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
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Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
The Kano State government said three of its top civil servants have been apprehended for engaging in citizenship racket.
The indicted government officials were arrested by the State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Agency.
According to the anti-graft agency, the three senior officials allegedly recommending Nigerian citizenship to illegal migrants.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Kano, the chairman of the agency, Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed that the suspects collected bribes from the foreign nationals for the the illegal activity.
He alleged that the suspects planned to write letters of recommendation to the Federal ministry of internal affairs, using government letter-headed papers.
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He named the suspects as Kabiru Shehu of the ministry of information; Hassan Aminu from Office of the state Head of Service; and one AMusa Falgore, a retired staff of the information ministry.
“These are senior officials of Kano state government conniving to write fake letters recommending illegal aliens to secure Nigerian citizenship.
“We have arrested them. They are giving us useful information. We will keep interrogating them and at the end, if found wanting, they will be prosecuted.
“We will not tolerate this kind of unpatriotic action from senior government officials.
“This government abhors corruption, and we will do everything possible to ensure that anybody found neck-deep in corruption is exposed,” Mr Muhuyi said.
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
(NAN)
News
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
A Muslim group in Inisa, Odo-Otin Local Government area of Osun State, has threatened to embark on mass protest over alleged imposition of Imam on the community’s central mosque.
The mosque had been without leadership since the demise of the imam, his deputy, and third in command, within the space of two months, in 2020, following the crisis over succession plan.
However, in December 2023, Osun State governor, after observing Juma’at prayer in the mosque, adopted one Hakeem Jamiu as the imam.
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But a Muslim group in the town, Inisa Muslim Elites Association, IMEA, while addressing newsmen in Osogbo, yesterday, described the governor’s action as an affront on Islamic teachings and provided guidelines on the appointment of an imam.
Fielding questions from journalist, Imam Raji Oladejo said the Muslim Ummah in the town are ready to lay down their lives to the dictates of the religion on the matter and would not succumb to any imposition from any quarter.
His words: “We have called the attention of every stakeholder on this matter over the illegalities of those who imposed an imam on us in Inisa. We have repeatedly stressed the need to follow due process, and a case is still in court.”
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
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Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
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