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Understanding Archbishop Chukwuma’s statement, By Osita Chidoka

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Banditry is God’s punishment for the North — Archbishop Chukwuma
Emeritus Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma
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In many fora, I had called for a definitive and official account of the First Republic, the 1966 coup, and the civil war. The issues will keep rearing their heads and causing, sometimes unintended, deeper division and backlash.

I read ArchBishop Chukwuma’s statement and my friend @renoomokri
tweet about the statement. Both statements could be termed inciteful and unnecessary but I am of the view that they represent the rich tapestry of our uninterrogated past.

My mission today is to contextualise ArchBishop Chukwuma’s statement and correct a historical fallacy.

First, Arch Bishop Chukwuma is from Asaba, in Delta state, and the people of Asaba are still bitter about the Asaba massacre reportedly carried out by Gen Murtala Mohammed. To date, no official account exists about the story that civilian men of 18 and above were rounded up and executed in cold blood in Asaba.

Gen Mohammed tried unsuccessfully three times to cross the River Niger from Asaba to Onitsha. While in Asaba, he was alleged to have killed over 2000 men. Again, reports of the number of those killed range from 500 to 900, and some say from 800 to 2000.

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We need an official unbiased historical account that can at least agree on the sequence of events and what really happened.

Osita Chidoka

Arch Bishop Chukwuma’s statement, as insensitive as it may sound, represents the general and strong feelings of the Asaba people. They even feel that the Igbos of the current Southeast do not acknowledge their pain sufficiently. His statement is contextual as many of his people believe that Gen Mohammed and his officers should be held accountable for war crimes.

The issue he raised is not about the Civil War, it is about a perceived war crime committed against his people amongst whom, many opposed the idea of Biafra and elected to stay in the Mid West and with Nigeria only to be lined up and shot because they spoke Igbo.

Going by historical accounts Gen. Adekunle and Gen. Obasanjo did not shoot civilians in the Igbo-speaking parts of Rivers State after the fall of Port Harcourt. Neither did Gen TY Danjuma shoot the civilian men who elected to remain behind when he captured Enugu. The Asaba people to date wonder what they did wrong that unarmed civilian men were lined up and shot in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians.

So, there is a need to verify the story of the Asaba massacre, apportion blame appropriately, and bring it to a closure through a conflict resolution mechanism. A truth and reconciliation committee or commission may be a way to go.

In his response on X Reno repeats a historical fallacy that Celestine Ukwu released a song Ewu na ebe akwa rough translation ( a goat is bleating) to mock the Northern leaders killed in the coup. It is not true.

The truth is Cardinal Jim Rex Lawson, a Kalabari man from present-day Rivers State, released that song in 1964. It was not Celestine Ukwu, whose career took off after the war. He lived in the same apartment building 13 Peter Okoye Street, Uwani Enugu, where my parents lived. I was born there in 1971. He died tragically in 1977 in a car crash. I vaguely remember the sound of his instruments rehearsing in the evenings. After his death, Barr Jacob Ugwu moved into the flat he vacated. Barr Ugwu later became Chief Judge of Enugu State.

These kinds of fallacies, maybe unconsciously, promote hate. The almost conscious reproduction of falsehood will continue to plague us as a nation if we do not confront our past and document an accurate version of history to help dispel false narratives.

The families of those murdered in the coup of 1966 and all those killed in coups in Nigeria deserve justice. We must collectively confront our past to free our present.

• Chidoka, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, was former Minister of Aviation during Jonathan era

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UNN Party Horror: ‘I Woke Up At 9pm To Find My Friends Lying Lifeless’ – Survivor

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The survivor at the hospital
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•  ‘I Thought I Was Going To Die’ – 24-Year-Old Student Narrates How He Survived Mysterious Party Incident That Claimed Four Lives In Nsukka

A 24-year-old student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has recounted his terrifying experience at an off-campus party where four students reportedly died after participants suddenly became unconscious.

The survivor, an Art Education student, said he lost consciousness during the gathering and only regained awareness several hours later, when he discovered his friends lying motionless on the floor.

Recounting the incident in an interview with Vanguard, the student disclosed that the gathering was organised by his friend, identified as David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

According to him, the host purchased two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, which they took to his residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, where approximately 10 people gathered for the celebration.

He said the party commenced at about 11:30am, with participants sharing the drinks and engaging in a game of Truth or Dare.

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Narrating how the incident unfolded, the survivor said one of the participants suddenly started vomiting, prompting him to assist the individual to the toilet.

He explained that after helping his friend, he returned to clean the vomit on the floor before suddenly losing consciousness.

“During the party, one of the participants started vomiting. I took him to the toilet and asked him to clean himself up. I then came out to clean the vomit on the floor.

“After that, I suddenly lost consciousness. However, I noticed that my legs had become stiff, and I could no longer walk,” he narrated.

The student said he regained consciousness at approximately 9pm, several hours after the incident began.

He recalled hearing someone making a strange remark before managing to look into the parlour, where he saw the host and other participants lying motionless.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9pm, I heard someone saying that a ghost was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he said.

The survivor disclosed that he immediately contacted a friend, who arrived at the residence, observed the situation and subsequently left.

He expressed disappointment that another individual who reportedly came to the scene allegedly chose to record the victims instead of making efforts to secure emergency assistance.

He said another friend later arrived and helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka for treatment.

Generator Was Operating Outside Room

Providing further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident, the survivor said the participants were inside the parlour with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was operating outside in the corridor.

He added that the room’s fan was switched on during the gathering.

The student also dismissed suggestions that the participants might have consumed illicit drugs, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken at the party.

“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We took only alcohol. We had just two bottles for about 10 people, so the quantity each person drank was very little, not even up to a quarter of a party cup,” he said.

Police Question Poisoning Allegations

The survivor disclosed that police officers had visited him and questioned him about the possibility of poisoning or deliberate interference with the drinks.

He said investigators asked whether the participants had disagreements with anyone or suspected that somebody might have tampered with the alcoholic beverages.

However, he maintained that he had no reason to suspect the host, whom he described as someone who did not harbour grudges against others.

He added that he also saw the host lying on the floor when he regained consciousness, while the host’s brother later confirmed that he was receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital.

The student further disclosed that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Otuanya, had visited him to assess his condition.

He said representatives of the local government, friends and police officers had also visited him.

Survivor Still Experiencing Leg Stiffness

Despite surviving the incident, the 24-year-old said he was still experiencing stiffness in his legs, although his condition was gradually improving.

Reflecting on the frightening experience, he said the incident had completely changed his attitude towards alcohol consumption.

“This was the first time I took alcohol and experienced such a condition. I think this will be the last time I will ever take alcohol,” he said.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain a subject of investigation, with questions about the possible role of the generator, the conditions inside the room and the possibility of drink contamination yet to be conclusively established.

Authorities are expected to determine what led to the sudden loss of consciousness among the participants and establish the precise cause of the deaths.

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MACBAN Commends Mbah’s Inclusive Leadership, Urges Calm Over Alleged Killing of 62 Cattle in Enugu

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The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his inclusive leadership, commitment to peaceful coexistence and efforts to protect residents irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The association also praised the governor for creating opportunities for members of the Fulani community to participate in governance through appointments into government positions, describing the gesture as evidence of his commitment to fairness, inclusion and unity.

MACBAN’s commendation followed its condemnation of alleged successive attacks on Fulani herders in Umumba community, Ezeagu Local Government Area, and neighbouring Owu community in Udi LGA, which reportedly resulted in the killing of 62 cattle and the disappearance or theft of several others.

In a statement issued by its National Deputy Director-General, Gidado Siddiki, the association disclosed that two Fulani herders, Bodo Damina and Mallam Nasiru Mohammed, were attacked by suspected assailants while grazing their cattle in Umumba on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Although the herders reportedly escaped, 25 cattle were allegedly killed during the incident.

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MACBAN further disclosed that another attack occurred on Wednesday, November 11, in Owu community, where four herders identified as Umaru, Aliyu, Ibrahim and Babuga, sons of Dauji Haruna, were reportedly attacked while tending to their cattle.

According to the association, the attackers dispersed the cattle, with some allegedly stolen, while the four herders were initially declared missing.

They reportedly resurfaced on Thursday, November 12, only to discover that 37 of their cattle had been killed.

The association also expressed concern over reports of the killing of two commercial motorcycle operators in Umumba community during the incidents.

The Enugu State Police Command had yet to confirm or deny the allegations as of press time.

While condemning the attacks, MACBAN described the perpetrators as enemies of peace, innocent citizens and the collective efforts of the Mbah administration to guarantee the security of lives and property across the state.

It maintained that the alleged attacks were contrary to the governor’s vision of building a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Enugu State where residents can live, work and conduct their businesses without fear or discrimination.

The association urged members of the Fulani community and other residents to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, warning against reprisals or actions capable of escalating tensions.

It called on the state government and relevant security agencies to conduct comprehensive investigations, identify and prosecute those responsible, investigate the alleged theft of cattle and facilitate their recovery.

MACBAN also urged the authorities to strengthen security around Umumba, Owu and neighbouring communities while establishing sustainable security arrangements to protect farmers, herders, traders and other residents.

The association further appealed to the Fulani community to trust the government and security agencies to handle the matter through lawful and constitutional processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, MACBAN said no individual should be targeted because of ethnic or religious affiliation, stressing that every resident of Enugu State deserves equal protection under the law.

It added that Governor Mbah’s inclusive governance approach should be sustained in the collective interest of peace, security and development, insisting that criminality must be condemned regardless of the identity of those involved.

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Angry Nigerians Confront INEC Chairman’s Convoy In UK Protest

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INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan
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Some Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom staged a protest outside Chatham House in London on Thursday, confronting the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, as he departed the venue.

A video circulating on social media captured several demonstrators surrounding a black vehicle believed to be conveying the INEC chairman, with some protesters pressing against the vehicle while holding placards and documents.

During the confrontation, the demonstrators were heard expressing their anger and making allegations against the electoral body chairman, with one protester shouting, “People are angry. This wicked, evil man, you are a criminal. Why are you running?”

The protest reportedly centred on concerns surrounding the credibility of Nigeria’s voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.


The demonstrators raised allegations of irregularities in the electoral register, including claims that some entries were generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

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They reportedly demanded accountability and expressed concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, insisting that the voters’ register must be credible and free from manipulation ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The incident has attracted attention on social media, with the circulating footage generating discussions about INEC’s preparedness, electoral transparency and public confidence in the commission ahead of the 2027 polls.

However, the allegations raised by the protesters have not been independently established in the information provided.

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