SENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has kicked against the Defense Headquarters’ categorization of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,
as a terrorist organization, saying that it was not only unconstitutional but
also against due process and such had no effect...
Leader of Indigenous People of
Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu He urged those who had been acting on the categorization
to cool down because “we are a country that operates by laid-down process under
every circumstance.” Saraki’s declaration came as the federal government
yesterday directed the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar
Malami, SAN, to initiate a process in court today to ban IPOB. At the weekend,
the Police said they would prosecute arrested IPOB members with charges of
terrorism. But Saraki in a statement he personally signed yesterday, said the
National Assembly will carry out a holistic investigation into the military’s
show of force in the South-East and its ongoing Operation Python Dance II,
particularly in remote villages around Umuahia, the Abia State capital, as well
as the crisis in the geo-political zone. He called for calm and restraint among
all Nigerians to ensure that all hands are on deck to find the right solution
to the current problem rather than worsening the crisis. Saraki spoke as
Nigerian Army said yesterday that its categorization of IPOB as a terrorist
organization last week was not the position of the country, saying the power to
declare an organization a terrorist group lies with relevant federal government
agencies. This is even as five northern governors, yesterday began a two-day
visit to the South-East and South-South geo-political zones in search of peace,
with Abia as their first port of call. Also, members of the South-East Senate
Caucus yesterday, said that they were all united in support of Saraki’s
position. S-East senators back Saraki Speaking in Abuja, Chairman of the
caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the caucus was aligning with the
position of Saraki that the proscription and categorization of IPOB as a
terrorist organization was unconstitutional, adding, “we align with the
position of the Senate President and we are calling for full investigation into
the crisis.” Saraki’s statement Saraki’s statement reads in full: “Following
the clash between the military and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra,
IPOB, I hereby call for calm and restraint by all Nigerians so that we would
all jointly find the right solution to the current problem rather than
worsening the crisis. “Our brothers and sisters in the South-East, in
particular, should continue to maintain peace and tranquility and go about
their lawful business. This crisis will not benefit anybody but would only
expose innocent people to unwarranted danger. “At this point, Nigerians outside
the South-East who have worked to ensure that the crisis does not spread to
other parts of the country deserve our commendation. I, therefore, call for
continued efforts to sustain peace, unity and stability in all our communities
so as to ensure that all residents, no matter their religion, tribe and creed,
remain protected and safe under the law. “It is also important that
commentators and purveyors of information on all media platforms should be
conscious of the need, at all times, to maintain the unity of the country.
Therefore, they must refrain from circulating information that has the
potential to aggravate the crisis. “We should all realise, as individuals and
as a collective, that Nigeria is all we have and it is in our individual and
collective interests that we do not stoke the fire of crisis and fan the ember
of discord through the message we are spreading. We must all protect and
strengthen our country rather than contributing to her collapse and
disintegration. “I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription
of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, by governors of the
South-East states and the categorization of the group as a ‘terrorist
organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and does not follow
due process. “Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and
without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect. I
am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process.
“This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a
country that operates by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those
who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool. “We must
commend the military for their efforts in restoring peace to different parts of
the country and sustaining the unity of the country. However, in the face of
provocation, the military should allow themselves to be guided by their
training which emphasises respect for human rights, even in war. Also, given
the nature of this particular situation, the military has every reason to be
hesitant in the use of force. “Also, it is my view that we should not
over-stretch the military. We need to protect our military against dissipation
of their fighting strength. And this means we need to strengthen the Police and
equip them with the capacity to deal with civil crises. “That is why we, in the
National Assembly, are already reviewing the Police Act and also looking at the
possibility of enabling other para-military agencies to help in curbing civil
unrest and maintenance of law and order. “I want to also make it clear that the
National Assembly intends to embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed at
determining what actually happened during the period of the military exercise
in the South-East. “We want to be able to sift the facts from the fiction and
determine who did what. It is quite clear that all the facts are not yet known.
We assure Nigerians that there will be no cover-up. We intend to lay the facts
bare. “On a long term, we want to remind Nigerians that the reason for
embarking on constitution review by the National Assembly was to enable us look
into issues that are agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension
among us. We have promised that the exercise would be continuous. “We intend to
keep that promise by further taking decisions that would strengthen and improve
on our structures. The Eighth National Assembly, on resumption, will play its
constitutional role by addressing all those issues that are agitating the minds
of our people and over which they feel so strong. I appeal to all our people to
always direct their grievances to the right channels. “Let me further reiterate
the need for all leaders of thought — political, religious and traditional — to
continue to engage with our people on the need to maintain peace and be our
brothers’ keepers.” FG has final say on declaration of IPOB as terrorists
organization — Army chief However, the Nigerian Army, said last week’s position
on the status of IPOB is not the position of the country, saying the power to
declare an organization as a terrorist group lies with relevant federal
government agencies. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who said
this, on the occasion of the Nigerian Army Chief of Army Staff, COAS, 2nd and
3rd Quarters Conference 2017, held in Abuja, stressed that though the Army had
labeled the separatist IPOB a terrorist group and South-East governors
subsequently proscribed it, the Federal Government would take a final decision
on the pronouncements. He noted that there are guidelines as provided in the
country’s Terrorism Act which conferred such powers exclusively on some
relevant government agencies. His words: “As regards the proscription, this is
what I want to give: the federal government will take a final decision on that.
There are guidelines as provided in the Terrorism Act and I am sure the
relevant government agencies will take appropriate steps whether to arrest or
whether to do any other actions and we will receive the appropriate directives
from the authorities.” Buratai said the ongoing Operation Python Dance II in
the South-East and the forthcoming Operation Crocodile Smile in both the
South-South and South-West, are aimed at reassuring Nigerians, and law abiding
citizens that the Nigerian Army and, indeed, other security agencies are really
concerned with the safety and security of their lives and property in the
country. Army not under pressure from FG — Buratai He denied insinuations that
the Nigerian Army was acting under political pressure from the Federal
Government to veer off its core mandate in its ongoing operation in the South
East, saying the service was merely carrying out its constitutionally assigned
duty. The Nigerian Army boss, who disclosed that Operation Crocodile Smile II,
would only be launched immediately after Operation Python Dance II, said the
organization under him was totally loyal to the federal administration, even as
he charged its personnel to remain apolitical in their chosen career. He
disagreed with those who hold the view that his organization was under
political pressure from certain quarters to violate its rules of engagement in
the ongoing Operation Python Dance II in the South-East. “You should understand
the context by which the Nigerian Army is operating. Nigerian Army is part of
the political consideration in the democratic system. It is part of the
democratic process, it is a product of the democratic governance. So we are not
receiving any pressure, we are giving what the constitution provided for us,
constitutionally what our responsibilities are for us. “So we are not under any
pressure whatsoever. There are several provisions that give us those
responsibilities and also to carry out such task as duly assigned by the
government or by the constituted authority. “Be rest assured that we don’t have
any other role that is outside the constitution. Nigerian Army is part of the
political consideration in the democratic system; it is part of the democratic
process, it’s a product of the democratic governance, “he said. He also
dismissed insinuation that the conference was aimed at keeping commanders
abreast of strategies on the various operations in the southern part of the
country. Hear him: “Training is a continuous exercise in the Nigerian Army in
particular and the military in general. Since we came on board in 2015, we have
been having series of exercises and we did the same set of exercises in 2016
and we are repeating the same thing this year. ‘’You are aware of Operation
Harbin Kunama II, the ongoing Egwu Eke II in the South-East and very soon, at
the the end of Python Dance, we move into Crocodile Smile II. This is just to
reassure Nigerians, law abiding citizens that the Nigerian Army and indeed
other security agencies are really concerned with the safety and security of
their lives and property.” Why we are visiting S-East, S-South – Northern govs
The five Northern governors on peace mission to the South-East and South-South
to douse tension and promote peace and dialogue among all sections of Nigeria
include chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and governor of Borno State,
Kashim Shettima. Others in the delegation are Governors Aminu Masari of
Katsina, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi and Simon Lalong of
Plateau states. According to a statement by Imam Imam, Sokoto governor’s
spokesman, the delegation, which arrived Abia State, yesterday, “will hold
meetings with their counterparts in Rivers, Abia and Imo States. “Apart from
the visit to political leaderships in those states, the delegation is expected
to meet with traditional and religious leaders. They will also confer with
Northerners resident in those states. “Importantly, the delegation will
reassure their counterparts in the South-South and South-East that all
Nigerians are free to stay in all parts of the country, especially in the
North, and that the entire North stands with the people of South-East in this
period of heightened tension.” He said the visit has the blessing of President
Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the consultations would continue with all
stakeholders to enhance unity and peace in Nigeria.
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