Simon Ekpa writes Finland President over Biafra Declaration....Read Full Article>>

The Simon Ekpa-led Biafra Republic Government In-Exile has written to Finland President, Alexander Stubb over the group’s announced Biafra declaration convention.

Ekpa, in a statement on Wednesday through X, noted that the letter of intent was presented on Monday to Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb.

According to Ekpa, the letter detailed justifications on why the Biafra declaration is a recipe for peace in Nigeria and the Sahel region of Africa.

“The letter of intent informed the Finland President to support the Biafra Independence Declaration because it is a recipe for peace in the Sahel Region,” Ekpa wrote on his official X account.

“The Government of Biafra is contacting you to inform you about the overall aims and goals of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile and its international legal personality, and the pending restoration of the United States of Biafra under the auspices of an internationally recognised referendum to be concluded the last week of November 2024.

“Unlike other secessionist governments in Africa before and since, Biafra was recognised by five United Nations member states,” the letter reads in part.

This comes amid the increased agitation for Biafra independence in the past years.

Ekpa had announced that from November 29 to 3rd, 2024, Biafra independence will be declared in a convention in Finland.

Recall that Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has been under detention since 2021 over Biafra agitation.

Efforts and appeals from several Igbo leaders for his freedom have not yielded fruit.

Arraigning the accused person on Tuesday, the police told the court that the offence attracts life imprisonment as punishment if convicted.....Read Full Article>>

An Enugu State magistrate court has remanded a woman, Mrs. Ada Ogbogu, in the Enugu Correctional Centre for allegedly breaking her three-year-old stepson’s bone with a pestle.

Arraigning the accused person on Tuesday, the police told the court that the offence attracts life imprisonment as punishment if convicted.

The charge marked CME/646C/2024, reads, “That you, Ada Ogbogu, female, on the 23rd of October 2024, at about 1430hours at Ike Ani Estate, Emene Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to maim or disfigure one Kaitobechukwu Ogbogu, male, aged 3 years, pour hot water on his nose, mouth and hit him with a pestle, which dislocated his left legend caused him serious bodily and thereby committed an office punishable under Section 288 (a) of the Enugu Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II. Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.”

Her bail application was rejected by Chief Magistrate Alphonsus Edeh, who ordered that she should be remanded at Enugu Correctional Centre.

The court adjourned the matter to November 26, 2024, when the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Ministry of Justice, is being expected.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, told journalists that Mrs. Ogbogu’s arraignment was in line with the administration’s vow to follow the matter to a logical conclusion, insisting that no child should be dehumanised in the state.

“Recall that the State Government had taken swift action on this matter by arresting the accused and today she is already in court.

“This decisive move demonstrates Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to protecting children. So, if you mistreat or abuse any child in Enugu, then you are in for trouble. Period,” she stated.

At least four people have been reported dead, and several houses have been set on fire following a violent resurgence of cult violence between rival groups in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The deadly clash, which involved members of the Black Axe and Supreme Vikings confraternities, erupted over the weekend and continued into Monday, leaving the local community in a state of panic.....Read Full Article>>

According to sources, the violence began on Sunday and Monday when the two cult groups engaged in a bloody confrontation, resulting in widespread chaos in the North Bank area. As the clash intensified, residents and traders rushed to close their shops and flee, seeking safety from the escalating violence. Fearing reprisals, many locals have abandoned their homes, further adding to the tense atmosphere in the area.

Alhaji Haruna Nuhu, the chairman of the anti- cultism group in the North Bank area, known as Operations Shara, confirmed the attacks, stating that the clash between the two rival gangs began on Saturday night and stretched into Sunday and Monday. Nuhu also reported that four cult members were killed during the skirmishes, although their identities remain unknown.

He further detailed that, in addition to the four confirmed deaths, one victim was gruesomely dismembered, and another’ s body was discovered with severe injuries, including a pierced head. Nuhu said, ” As of yesterday, only one person was killed. Last week, two people were killed, and one of them was butchered horribly. We’ ve found one body with its head pierced. Yesterday, a person was shot in the eye. All in all, between last week and today, four people have died. ”

One anonymous resident of the area described the events as a ” rampage, ” mentioning that the violence also included the burning of homes. The resident expressed concern about the frequent cult clashes, which have disrupted daily life and led to significant fear among the local population. He said, ” There was a rampage yesterday in North Bank, and today, houses were set on fire again on Ter Guma Street. This constant violence is a serious problem that affects everyone, not just cult members. The government needs to act before more lives are lost. ”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, attempts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for comment have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the community remains on edge, with many residents wondering when the authorities will take concrete steps to address the growing problem of cult violence in the state.