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IPOB dismisses allegations of killing of Soldiers
THE Indigenous People of Biafra IPoB, has distanced itself from the alleged murder of four soldiers in Enugu State and those murdered in Umunze, describing the alleged latest allegation against it as one of the many destructive lies being peddled against it by Nigerian security agents.
The pro-Biafra group described as most reckless, senseless and unfounded and accusations linking it with the murder of the soldiers in Enugu and Anambra States respectively.
A statement by IPoB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful entitled, IPoB has nothing to do with the recent murder of security personnel in Biafra land, that ordinarily, it would not have dissipated time responding to such allegation after weeks of the incident or joining issue with the people behind the allegation, but it has become very imperative for it to respond because of a viral video being circulated by officials of the Nigerian Army where its name was mentioned.
IPoB’s statement read, “In view of the recent murder of four Nigeria soldiers in Enugu State as well as those in Anambra State, which were accompanied by the most reckless and senseless accusations against IPOB as being behind the attacks, it has become very imperative to caution the Nigerian Arny and government to desist from such unfounded and false accusations against the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
“One of such irresponsible and false accusation is contained in a viral video from Nigerian Army personnel who was heard openly mentioning, IPOB by name in the said video trending online.
“It is a common phenomenon that Nigeria Government and their security agencies are quick to point accusing fingers at IPOB within minutes of any attack in the East without investigation. It is surprising that they haven’t linked IPOB to the insecurity ravaging Northern Nigeria.
“We understand that these are part of their cheap blackmail against the movement even when the State are mastermind most of the attacks. If the Government is not behind the attacks how come they know the attackers within minutes, without investigation. How come they cannot predict the many unresolved murder cases in Nigeria.
“We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the command and leadership of the liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, condemns the reckless murder of Nigeria soldiers, but at the same time caution the Nigeria Army to stop accessing IPOB members falsely. We are not responsible for the attacks and killings, we are not blood suckers like the people who have made the Northern unlivable.
“Nigeria Army and their Government are only carrying out media propaganda and blackmail against IPOB in an effort to stop the Biafra agitation, but they will fail. Nigeria Government and their Court know that IPOB is not involved in the attacks and killings of security agents and attacks on Institutions. That is why no Court in Nigeria have been able to convict any of the prosecuted IPOB members.
“We are shocked that in spite of the glaring facts that IPoB does not involve in such violent activities, the Nigeria government has continued arresting, persecuting, and extra judicially executing IPOB members, while unconditionally releasing and compensating Northern terrorists and bandits.
“We have remained a peaceful movement seeking for freedom and Independence of Biafra people in spite of all the persecutions and provocations rom the hand of the Nigeria State, we can never chanfe because we are Igbo’s we abhor shedding of blood. But we shall not take any blackmail from the government just because they hate our resolve to get Biafra at all cost, but most importantly through peaceful agitation.
“The Nigerian Army must stop linking IPOB with the killing of their men because of their evil agenda and hatred against Ndigbo and Biafra agitation championed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members.
“By tagging every Igbo man and woman as IPOB and ESN members, the Nigerian government and its security apparatus have created the enabling ground to justify their ongoing extra judicial executions of Igbo people which simply amount to ethnic cleansing.
“More so, their decision to make some of their soldiers on duty in Biafra land expendables to achieve their evil plan and justify their military siege and assault on the unarmed people in their State sponsored terrorism, they blackmail every Igbo man as IPoB member that must he eliminated. The more the Nigeria terrorist sponsoring government and their compromised Army try hard to blackmail IPOB, the more they rub their integrity in the mud.
“The viral video of the Nigeria Army personnel openly accusing IPOB of being responsible for the death of four of their men in Enugu State recently is nothing, but a cheap blackmail. We demand an International and independent investigation on all the killings going on in Biafraland so as to unmask the killers and their sponsors.
“As for us in IPOB and ESN our hands are clean from all the government and theur security agents accusations. We take responsibility for our actions. Our focus is to get ride of terrorists in our forest and our bushes who are raping our women, killing our farmers, and destroying our farms. On killing of security men and burning of Institutions, in Biafra land, the Nigeria government, and her foot soldiers should be held responsible.” (Saturday Vanguard)
The Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Ebube Muonso, has called on Ndigbo and Nigerians to support the presidential ambition of Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rev. Obimma made the call on Monday during an interview with newsmen shortly after distributing bags of rice to more than 300 elderly persons in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of the State.
He said that he was convinced spiritually and otherwise that Obi possesses the qualities required to provide effective leadership for Nigeria, describing the former governor of the state as a source of hope for the Igbo people and a leader capable of moving the country forward.
The cleric said he was convinced that Obi possesses the qualities required to provide effective leadership for Nigeria, describing the former governor of Anambra state as a source of hope for the Igbo people and a leader capable of moving the country forward.
He noted that Ndigbo do not need further persuasion to rally behind Obi because of the widespread acceptance he enjoys both within and outside the country.
“As the election approaches, Igbos do not need to be told to support Peter Obi. He is the hope of every average Igbo man.
“I do not think Ndigbo will, in years to come, get a man who has attracted such broad national and international acceptance as Peter Obi,” he said.
The cleric urged governors in the South-East geopolitical zone to support the vision of producing a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, pointing out that the region had long sought justice, equity and inclusion in the nation’s affairs.
Father Ebube Muonso also paid glowing tributes to late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and other figures who championed the Igbo cause of peace, unity and progress as well as development.
“Their sacrifices were aimed at addressing perceived injustice, insecurity and marginalisation,” he said.
The cleric lamented what he described as persistent divisions among Igbo people.
Obimma attributed some of the challenges facing the region to internal disunity and lack of collective support.
He called on Ndigbo to embrace love and unity, the two virtues he said would help sustain the people after the Nigerian civil war.
“The seed of Christianity is love, and that virtue is what we need today, especially among the Igbo people. The earlier we learn to support one another and work together for our common interest, the better for us,” he said.
Rev. Obimma expressed optimism about Obi’s chances and potential performance in office.
“My spirit tells me Peter Obi will do well and that he is the vessel needed to move the Federal Republic of Nigeria forward,” he added. (Nigerian Tribune)
The five police operatives detained in connection with the alleged shooting to death of Delta-born musician and delivery worker, Oghenemine Ogidi, 28, were on Monday arraigned before a state High Court 5, sitting in Asaba.
The case, filed under Suit No. THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026, came before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro.
The defendants include ASP Usman Nuhu (42), ASP Onoloko Dauroupamo (47), ASP Okoh Kelechi (46), Inspector Goodluck Kingsley (42), and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu (41).
The officers were ordered to be remanded at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings in the matter.
The court adjourned the case to June 15 for fresh arraignment, following a request for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Newsmen were, however, barred from entering the courtroom during the arraignment.
Speaking with newsmen after the adjournment, human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, described the appearance of the officers in court as “a positive step towards justice”.
Gwamnishu said the court ordered that the suspects remain in custody, pending legal advice from the DPP.
“Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others.
“The judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case,” he said.
Gwamnishu expressed the hope that the legal processes would move quickly to enable the full trial to commence.
According to him, the family has alleged that it had not been shown the autopsy report or formally briefed on investigations.
He also claimed that there were attempts to restrict public observation of the proceedings.
Gwamnishu further disclosed that future hearings may be conducted virtually, with the suspects appearing from the correctional facility, while proceedings would be “followed remotely” in court.
Also speaking, the deceased’s cousin, Alex Emuobor, said the family was not adequately informed about the court sitting and only got details through unofficial sources.
Emuobor said: “We were advised to contact the Commissioner of Police, but later got information from activists that the case would be heard today.
“We rushed down to Asaba immediately.”
He further said the family arrived at the court after proceedings had ended, leaving them frustrated.
He appealed to the state Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities to ensure timely communication with the family on the matter, going forward.
“Our only request is to be carried along. We want to know what is happening in the case of our late brother,” he said.
Similarly, the elder brother to the deceased, Victory Ogidi, also complained about lack of communication from the authorities handling the case.
He said the family had been relying on social media and third-party information, instead of official updates.
“We lost our brother, and we should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he said.
Victory urged the state Attorney-General, Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police to ensure transparency and regular updates to the family.
He said that the family was not asking for special treatment, but only to be properly briefed and involved in the process.
Meanwhile, Justice Umukoro subsequently adjourned the matter to June 15, 2026, for an update on the DPP’s legal advice and further proceedings.
Reports from the court said journalists were denied access to the courtroom during the hearing and no reason was officially given for the restriction.
One of the police officers stationed at the court gate told reporters that the restriction was based on instructions from higher authorities.
“That is the instruction we were given. No journalist should come in over this case,” the officer said.
The case stems from the April 26, 2026, fatal shooting of Oghenemine Ogidi, an aspiring Warri-based musician, at Effurun Motor Park in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident sparked widespread outrage after a viral video allegedly showed ASP Nuhu Usman shooting the victim at close range with an AK-47 rifle.
According to reports, Ogidi was apprehended by motor park officials after a parcel sent to him from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was allegedly found to contain a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.
Two other suspects believed to be linked to the firearm shipment — the alleged sender and the transport driver involved in the delivery — were not brought to court during Monday’s proceedings.
The killing has continued to attract public attention, with family members, civil society organisations and human rights groups demanding justice and accountability.
One of the lawyers monitoring the case, Austin Nyekigbe, said the outcome of the trial would have significant implications for efforts to combat police brutality and impunity.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This trial and its outcome have strong implications for the fight to end police brutality and impunity,” he said.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from today Monday, June 1, 2026, over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The directive comes amidst growing concerns over the safety of teachers and students after 46 pupils and their teachers were abducted by suspected terrorists in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the union, Hassan Fatai, and the Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the NUT said the continued detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged school attendance, and heightened tension across affected communities.
The union noted that the industrial action is intended to draw the attention of government authorities and security agencies to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
It directed all teachers in public primary and secondary schools across the state to comply fully with the strike action and remain at home pending further directives.
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