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Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo frowns at Delta Army killings claims it’s Barbaric

Published

1 year ago

March 19, 2024

The pan-Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the killing of 17 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Delta State.

The soldiers were on a peace mission to the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area on Thursday when they were attacked.

In a statement titled “Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Unleashed Wrath: A Stern Revengeful Warning,” issued on Tuesday by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group described the Okuama massacre as “a tragic chapter stained in blood which has left Ndigbo in a state of deep mourning, profound sorrow, and unrelenting anger.”

“The callous and heinous act that claimed the lives of 17 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Delta State is a bitter reminder of the treachery that lurks among us,” the statement read.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo particularly mourned the loss of Major DE Obi, an Igbo officer, and his comrades who sacrificed their lives in service.

“We hurl our unrestrained fury at the perpetrators of this vile slaughter, branding their actions as barbaric, satanic, and symbolic of cowardice,” the group said.

Ohanaeze called on the people of Delta State to rise in unison and ensure that the killers are brought to swift justice.

“The people of Delta State must rise in unison to ensure that these armed killers are brought to swift justice and face the total weight of the law for their sins,” the statement added.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo extended its sympathies to the grieving families and promised to immortalise the legacy of Major DE Obi and the other fallen soldiers.

“In the forthcoming 2024 Igbo Easter Retreat in Asaba, we will light the flames of tribute for Major DE Obi and the other 16 fallen soldiers, immortalising their legacy in the annals of our history,” the group said.

Furthermore, the organisation expressed its support for President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address the country’s economic and security challenges.

“Additionally, we will bestow the highest honour upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in solidarity and support for his leadership during these tumultuous times,” the statement read.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also called on the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party in the 2023 election – Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, respectively – to set aside their differences and join hands with the Tinubu-led administration to find solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.

“We call upon political stalwarts like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Kwankwaso to set aside their feuds and join hands in solidarity with Tinubu to steer our nation through the murky waters of economic and security crises that threaten to engulf us,” the statement urged.

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Preventing misuse of the Cybercrimes Act: Protecting free speech, unlocking economic growth

Published

10 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

On Democracy Day, the heads of missions of the United States, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Canada would like to recognise and congratulate the Nigerian people’s commitment to 26 years of democratic governance. Healthy democracies are formed of many important ingredients and when marking 25 years of democracy in Nigeria in 2024, President Tinubu underlined that in Nigeria “there must be diverse perspectives and viewpoints.” Free expression has long been a core value of Nigeria’s democracy.

Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the right to freedom of expression, aiming to protect its citizens’ rights and foster a society where people can debate and discuss ideas free from government control.

This right, a principle of trusting ordinary citizens to have discussion in the virtual public square, remains vital today.

In April, Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) raised concerns about the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, the amendments made to it in 2024, and the law’s impact on free expression. The Act has laudable aims: to combat online fraud and cyberattacks. There is growing evidence, however, that the Act is being misused by some to silence criticism and dissent. The NHRC’s advisory opinion on freedom of expression warned that it “has potentials for abuse, particularly with respect to arrests and prosecutions of activists, journalists, bloggers, and ordinary social media users.” In addition, in 2022 the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that the Act is not in conformity with the country’s obligations related to freedom of expression under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Misuse of the Cybercrimes Act undermines democratic advancement and civic participation. It also jeopardizes the confidence of investors and risks deterring the innovation needed for economic growth.

Consider the case of Dele Farotimi, charged with 12 counts of cybercrime after he reported alleged corruption in the judiciary in a book and on a podcast. Farotimi was allegedly detained in Lagos, transported across state lines to Ekiti, and brought to court in handcuffs. Though the charges were eventually withdrawn, his ordeal highlights a troubling issue – the Cybercrimes Act, originally intended to combat online fraud and cyberterrorism, can be misused as a tool to stifle free expression and undermine democratic engagement. Farotimi is not alone. Journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have faced similar charges for sharing opinions or reporting on alleged corruption. This distortion of the law’s original intent can lead to citizens becoming hesitant to speak out, weakening democratic accountability and potentially fuelling distrust in government.

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) estimates the country loses $500 million per year to cybercrime. This problem requires a response. However, the Cybercrimes Act’s broad language, especially its vague definitions of “false information,” “cyberstalking,” “harassment,” and “insult” leave room for confusion and potential abuse. The law’s broad scope allows it to be misused against Nigerian citizens seeking to express dissent, form opinions, or criticize powerful people. NHRC has called on law enforcement to “exercise caution” in how they interpret the Act’s frequently used Section 24 to make sure that charges reflect an actual threat to public order. We therefore welcome the commitment from Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to collaborate with the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders in reviewing the Cybercrimes Act so that it protects the values enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

The implications extend beyond free expression. Nigeria’s economic future depends on its ability to innovate and attract investment in the digital age. However, the Cybercrimes Act’s misapplication, even in a small number of cases, risks detracting the innovators and entrepreneurs the government wants to invest in Nigeria. The Cybercrimes Act also contributes to uncertainty abroad about Nigeria’s legal landscape. Its vague provisions make it difficult for businesses and investors to assess legal risks, hindering investment in industries that rely on digital content. Reform is needed to protect both citizens’ rights and Nigeria’s future.

The undersigned Heads of Mission in Nigeria encourage Nigerian lawmakers to consider reform of the Cybercrimes Act to narrow the definitions of key terms such as “false information,” cyberstalking,” insult,” hatred,” and “harassment,” and ensure those definitions cannot be used erroneously to silence critics and censor expression. As friends of Nigeria who share the country’s strong commitment to democratic values, we want Nigeria to realise its potential as a democratic digital powerhouse. We would therefore welcome the Nigerian government amending the Act to strike a balance between protecting citizens while preserving human rights, including free expression. This will be a difficult balance to strike but is vital for delivering what Nigeria wants: a stable and open democracy, and economic growth underpinned by investment.

Nigeria is not alone in facing this problem. Democracies across the world are grappling with the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities that the digital world presents. Through the Council of Europe’s Global Action on Cybercrime project, Nigerian lawmakers are receiving funding and technical assistance to help the current review of the Act lead to legislation that meets international standards and best practices. However, the deadline for the Act’s review has consistently been delayed, and we urge Nigerian lawmakers to make this review a priority, and ensure it is open to public consultation and debate.

Free expression is a precious commodity that relies on all of us to respect it. It is a fundamental tenant of Nigeria’s constitution. Nigerians, and any citizens of countries around the world, should be able to hold and express their views, even if those opinions are unpopular.

Jointly written by Richard M. Mills, Jr., U.S. Embassy; Richard Montgomery; British High Commission; Sanna Selin, Embassy of Finland, Svein Baera; Embassy of Norway
Pasquale Salvaggio, and Canadian High Commission.

Columns

NAHCON sets date for return of Nigerian pilgrims

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has set June 9 for the commencement of the return journey of Nigerian pilgrims who completed this year’s Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman, NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh, made this known in a statement issued in Minna, where he congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

He said the return of Nigerian pilgrims will begin on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah which corresponds with June 9.

The return journeys will commence with pilgrims from Imo State via Air Peace while pilgrims from Bauchi State will fly back via Max Air

Columns

Tinubu Group Advises Nigerian Government To Settle Nnamdi Kanu’s Matter Through Arbitration ‎

Published

6 days ago

June 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

‎Grand Patron of One Nation for Asiwaju Support Group, Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to settle the issue of Biafran nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators, out of court through a formidable national committee of arbitration.
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‎Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Ndarani, was optimistic that the move will lead to peace, and unity in diversity.
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‎“President Bola Tinubu should consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration, conciliation and mediation in some of these cases concerning these agitators.High profile cases like Kanu’s are best resolved as quickly as possible because they evoke a lot of sentiments”

“Another reason for an expeditious resolution of the matter is because it would begin to heal festering wounds which we can certainly do without at this stage of our nationhood.

“Justice delayed is invariably justice denied” Ndarani said.

He urged President Tinubu to watch out for little foxes that spoil the vine while he is trying to hold Nigeria together as one indivisible nation.
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