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We’re not responsible for murder of 8 northerners in Imo – IPOB
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described as laughable and disgraceful statement alleging that its members were responsible for gruesome murder of eight northerners living in Orogwe, Imo State.
The group accused the Federal Government and her security agencies of colluding with the Ebubeagu to kill innocent people to blackmail it.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, IPOB warned the Nigeria Police and its sister security agencies operating in the area to leave the group alone to sanitize its territory of terrorists.
It reiterated that it would never attack any peaceful individual or group doing legitimate business in the Southeast, insisting it was only after sponsored terrorists in forest and bushes in the zone.
The separatist group regretted that out of 100 countries it operates, it is only in Nigeria that it is demonized, blackmailed and killed extra judicially.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the laughable disgraceful, unguarded and fabricated statement alleging that IPOB members were responsible for the gruesome murder of eight northern people living in Orogwe, suburb community in Owerri, Imo State.
“It is unfortunate that Nigeria Government and her Security Agencies would descend so low to collude with the Ebubeagu militia that was created by Hope Uzodinma and his government to kill innocent people just to blackmail IPOB.
“IPOB has not and will never attack any peaceful individual or group of people doing legitimate business or trading in our territory. We are only after are those criminals created by Nigeria Securities and bandits they brought into our territory masquerading as Fulani herdsmen who kidnap for ransom, rape our women and murder our farmers in our forests and bushes.
“IPOB will never succumb to pressure and blackmail from pursuing those terrorists masquerading as herdsmen in our bushes and forests. ESN has been dealing and dislodging those sponsored terrorists and will continue to do so until they vacate our Forest and bushes. Therefore, Nigeria Police and its sister security agencies operating in Biafraland should leave IPOB alone to sanitize our territory of terrorists.
“IPOB has severally said that we have nothing against Hausa people living peacefully and do their legitimate businesses, anybody linking IPOB to the recently attack in Imo State is doing that to demonise and blackmail IPOB.
“In over 100 countries where IPOB operates, the people and their Governments acknowledge that IPOB is a peaceful movement and family seeking for freedom from its Nigeria Pharoas. Only in Nigeria that IPOB is demonized, blackmailed and killed extra judicially like terrorists like no human beings.
“IPOB did not harm or kill anyone in Imo State on Monday because we are peaceful and have not indulged in enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. We are focused on rescuing Biafrans from damnable Nigeria Republic.
“We wondered why Nigeria government using their stooge in Imo State causing confusion and collaborating with Ebubeagu militia to murder innocent citizens while using the Police and DSS agents to shield them.
“Biafrans should be aware that Nigeria compromised security agencies are complicit to the numerous kidnappings for ransom and killing of innocent citizens in the East which they maliciously blame it on IPOB and ESN. They are doing all these barbaric activities to place IPOB in bad light to our people and International Community.
“Every Biafran, including good spirited Nigerians Knows that IPOB are not involved in the unwanted killings going on, if our people we are paying heavy price to protect would be easily deceived by enemies that means they are not worthy to be dying for. BIAFRA enemies can do their best to stop us but in the end BIAFRA will be restored completely because Elohim is behind the struggle,” IPOB said. o
A founding member of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Chief Ralph Obioha is dead, aged 80.
In a statement by his son, Chima Obioha on behalf of the Obioha family in Enugu, said: “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Chief Ralph Obioha, “Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu announces his passing on October 3, 2026, at the age of 80.
Chief Obioha was first and foremost a beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend. His kindness, strength, humor, generosity, faith, and unwavering devotion to family will always be remembered .
“Many Nigerians knew Chief Obioha as a patriot, elder statesman, political leader and businessman. Indeed, his very eventful life spanned various business sectors and the Nigerian political and socio- economic space.
“He was deeply committed to Nigeria’s progress and the ideals of service, leadership, and nation-building. His was a respected voice in the land, and he was a firm believer in Nigeria’s enormous potential.
“His passing has left an immeasurable void in our family, but we find comfort in the fullness of his life, the people he touched, and the legacy of service he leaves behind.
“The family is deeply grateful for the prayers, condolence messages, and expressions of love that have already been received. We, however, respectfully request privacy at this time while we mourn and come to terms with this profound loss.
“Details of the memorial and funeral will be announced in due course. May his soul rest in complete peace.” the statement added.
Lagos, Nigeria, October 6, 2026: The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced the addition of the Lagos, Delta, Imo and Ekiti state governments, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Access Bank Plc and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to the list of partners for its 10th Annual Conference.
The conference begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 38 to 40 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The first day will feature a presentation by Max Amuchie, Publisher of Sundiata Post, on “The Sundiata Post Model: Building the African Newsroom for the Long Term.”
This will be followed by a presentation on “AI and Prompt Engineering for Online Publishing” by Biodun Durojaiye, Publisher of The Lagos Times.
The final presentation will be “Monetisation of Digital Media Business” by Dr Monday Ashibogwu, Publisher of Quick News.
The presentations will be followed by lunch with GOCOP partners, while the association’s Annual General Meeting will round off the day.
The second day of the conference, Thursday, October 8, will focus on the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, will deliver the keynote address, while Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Founding Partner of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will chair the session.
The panel will feature CP Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioner of Police, Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Prof Tayo Popoola, Head of Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos; Adaora Onyechere Sydney Jack, Creative Director of Gender Agenda and Founder of WEWE Network Afrique; and Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Deputy President of GOCOP and Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Mr Olumide Iyanda, said preparations had been concluded.
“All is set for our 10th anniversary conference. We are delighted that the Lagos State Government, the Imo State Government, the Delta State Government and the Ekiti State Government, as well as Access Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, and NASENI, Nigeria’s foremost agency driving indigenous technology and industrial innovation, have joined our long list of sponsors. Their support underscores the importance of the dialogue we are convening,” Iyanda said.
The new partners join those previously announced, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Nigeria Customs Service, Dangote Group, Seplat Energy, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), TAJBank, Emadeb Energy, Setraco Nigeria Limited, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Nestlé Nigeria Plc.
Iyanda thanked all sponsors and partners for their support, noting that their contributions would help GOCOP sustain its conference as a platform for engagement on professional journalism, democracy and national development.
GOCOP is a business membership organisation of 127 corporate online publishers in Nigeria. The Annual Conference, now in its 10th edition, brings together media executives, policymakers, academics, business leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to discuss issues of national importance.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives following the accident involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The CAS described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, expressing heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives. He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.
NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found. The crew members were:
CREW
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)
PASSENGERS
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families. A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force
6 October 2026
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