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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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NAHCON sets date for return of Nigerian pilgrims

Published

3 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

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

Published

4 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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Columns

Poor Nigerians Left In Detention As Judges Ignore Mandatory Monthly Inspections —Falana

Published

5 days ago

June 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Femi Falana

According to Falana, the inaction of the judiciary has left the poor vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, torture, and prolonged detention, while wealthy individuals can afford legal representation to protect their rights.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has accused the Nigerian judiciary of aiding the unlawful detention of poor citizens by failing to enforce the mandatory monthly inspections of police stations and detention facilities prescribed by law.

Speaking at the 1st NBA Western Zone Human Rights Summit in Ibadan on June 3, 2025, Falana said that despite the enactment of Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in 2015, Chief Magistrates and Judges have neglected their duty to carry out monthly inspections.

“From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that visiting Chief Magistrates and Judges are empowered to order the release of detainees, or grant them bail or direct that they be arraigned in court,” he said.

According to Falana, since the passage of the ACJA, which should challenge illegal arrests and detentions, its protective measures have been observed in breach.

“But since the Act was enacted in May 2015, Chief Magistrates and Judges have failed to enforce the provisions of section 34 of ACJA by visiting all police stations and other detention facilities at least once a month,” he said.

He lamented that while the Chief Justice of Nigeria had directed state Chief Judges to enforce these provisions in 2018, there has been little practical compliance, and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Human Rights Committees have also failed to ensure these inspections take place.

“But in spite of the clear provisions of the ACJA and Police Establishment Act, Chief Magistrates and Judges have failed to conduct monthly visits to police stations and other detention facilities in the country,” he said in his address.

“Hence, the incessant arrest, detention and torture of poor citizens by the Police and other security agencies have since become the order of the day.

“The Nigerian Bar Association has not helped matters as the Human Rights Committee in its 130 branches have failed to ensure that Chief Magistrates and Judges conduct visits to police stations and other detention facilities.”

Falana called for immediate action to protect the fundamental rights of detainees and end what he described as systemic injustice against poor Nigerians.

“Section 34 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 provides that the Chief Magistrate, or where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police division, any Magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall, at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison,” he said stressing the provisions of the ACJA.