News
Arresting Kanu does not solve Nigeria’s problem – Former Deputy Gov
Former Deputy governor of Anambra State, Her Excellency Barr. Stella Odife has said that use of force and recent arrest IPOB
called on the federal government to stop using force in resolving national issue, noting that re-arresting the leader of IPOB would not solve the problem in Nigeria.
Hon Odife who spoke during the conference/inauguration of South East Peace Councilors by the Advocates for Global Peace Forum International (AGPFI), said that there cannot be peace in Nigeria without first dealing with underlining issues afflicting the nation.
While calling on the federal government to listen to the agitating youths, Odife disclosed that agitation was as a result of poor governance, militarisation and marginalisation of the zone by the present administration led by Muhammadu Buhari.
“We cannot talk of peace in the South East without thinking of Nigeria as a whole because the major problem we have down here is as a result of activities at the national level. And the greatest mistake the president and we the leaders are making is not being able to know that it is as a disease we have to look for the cause. We have been applying medicine at the periphery and leave out the core issue. find out what is the real problem.
“The reason why we have been in this mess for a long time is that we thought we are in a democracy and yet militarized. If you go back from the day, when we had democracy, those who emerged as the leader are mainly Major Generals with civilian uniform. Their orientation is military, that is why when we have any problem from any sector, they will use force instead of dialogue. The problem we have is like cancer.
“The same thing happens to those in the North. They use Force on them without finding a solution to their problem. The same thing happened in the South East but the east is the worst because it started since the war and we parents are overlooking it. The same problem that we parents saw during the war which we couldn’t even understand is happening again.
“If you hold Kanu today, you’re not holding his speech. His speech is still there unattended to. Can we for once quickly look into the issue and forget applying force. Force will lead us to nowhere. We are all parents and all have children. If you neglect any of them, he will be out to give you trouble and to solve it needs a round table.
“It’s absolutely necessary for the federal government to listen to the cry of younger ones. It’s not with force that we are going to achieve peace. The problem in the East is too peculiar. We have been using Community policing and no bad boys operate in his area because he will be picked up immediately. The President Generals should go back and form Community policing to rid out bad boys or ostracize them as we used to do before”, She said.
In a welcome address, the President of AGPFI, Bishop Frederick Macaulay, described peace as a journey of hope, dialogue, reconciliation and ecological convention.
Bishop Macaulay while urging the inaugurated peace councilors to work towards restoring peace and stability, summited that restoring peace would be a great achievement if they could fine a lasting solution to injustice, violence and unwanted killing in the zone.
While condemning the federal government continuous marginalisation of South East, killing, rapping of women and destruction of farm produce by Fulani herdsmen in the zone, he said, mistrust and fear weakens relationship and increase the risk of violence, creating a vicious circle that can never lead to relationship of peace.
“I will like to state categorically here at this historical gathering that restoring peace in the Eastern region of Nigeria is a great achievement and precious value, if we can now and today find a lasting solution to injustice, violence and unwarranted killings of our brothers and sisters. As a human attitude, our hope for peace is marked by an existential tension that makes it possible for the present, with all its difficulties, to lived and accepted peace.
“The Igbo nation find it difficult to break free of the chains of exploitation and corruption that fuel hatred and violence. Even today, dignity, physical integrity, freedom, including religious freedom, communal solidarity and hope in future are denied to great numbers of people especially our youths whom are the innocent victims of painful humiliation and exclusion, sorrow and injustice”, He said.
In a key note lecture, the Managing Director, MD of AG Mortgage Bank, Mr Ngozi Anyogu, disclosed that peace would be achieve when the root cause of insecurity is addressed.
MD Anyogu, urged South East leaders to reset their development agenda, change the economic condition of people to change their mindset as the survivor to restore peace in the zone.
“Infrastructural deficit and perceived economic deprivation are the cause of agitation in South East. Take advantages of AG Mortgage Bank in building affordable houses for your people”, he said.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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