The Department of State Services on Saturday revealed how suspected
terrorists planned to unleash terror on selected six states and the
Federal Capital Territory during the just concluded Eid- Kabir
celebration.
According to Punch, the DSS revealed that the plan was spearheaded
by Islamic State of West Africa terrorists whose aim it said, was to
cause mayhem and destruction that would have disrupted the Eid-Kabir
festivities held between Sept. 1 and Sept. 4.
It added that the plan was to conduct gun attacks and suicide
bombings on selected targets in the Federal Capital Territory, Kano,
Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States.
Spokesperson for the DSS, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, who made the revelation
in a statement, named Husseini Mai-Tangaran, who was described as a
well known senior ISWA commander, as the mastermind of the plan.
Opuiyo said, “Mohammed was a fighter of the sect who left the
conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest, to join ranks with Ismaila
towards carrying out the attacks being planned by the group.
“Also, another accomplice in the plot, one Muhammad Ali was
arrested on September 3, at Sheka area in Kumbotso area of the state.
“Prior to his arrest, Ali was the financial courier of the
group in Kano. He was one of the conduits through which funds and other
material logistics were channeled to the group from foreign extremist
elements/sponsors.
“Like Abdulkadir Mohammed, Ali was involved in the plot to
perpetrate the planned attacks in Kano and other states in the North
during the just concluded Eid-Kabir celebration.”
However, videos of the
clash showing clubs and stone-wielding youths, who clashed with the
troop, indicated that scores were injured.
One of the youths, who was shot on his right thigh was seen battling for
life as his colleagues administered first aid.
IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, told Vanguard
that the attackers wore army and police uniforms and drove into the
palace of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu, who is the father of
Nnamdi Kanu and started shooting people.
He said in a statement: “We did not clash with anybody or group. The
attackers wore Nigerian soldiers and Nigeria Police uniforms and came to
kill our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in his compound at Afaraukwu,
Umuahia and started shooting sporadically and killed five people and up
to 30 other people had bullet wounds. After attacking our people, they
drove off. They came in five Hilux vans.”
Meanwhile one of the allegedly wounded IPOB members was taken to the
Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where doctors were battling to save his
live.
A doctor on duty at the emergency unit of the hospital said the IPOB
member sustained gunshot injury at “the thigh region.”
We neither attacked nor killed anyone — Army
However, a statement signed by Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, Assistant
Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army said: “The
attention of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, has been drawn to fictitious news
going round especially on the social media that troops have invaded the
home of Nnamdi Kanu and killed three persons.
“This is far from the truth. Rather, it was a group of suspected IPOB
militants that blocked the road against troops of 145 Battalion while on
show of force along FMC-World Bank Road in Umuahia town, Abia State at
about 6.00-6.30pm, today (yesterday).
“They insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and started
pelting the soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of
injuring an innocent female passerby and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole
Mathew.
“The troops fired warning shots in the air and the hoodlums dispersed.
No life was lost.
“Therefore, the public are kindly enjoined to disregard the rumours
going round and the fictitious photographs of purported victims of
attack.
“Both the soldier and the innocent female passerby have been evacuated
to the unit’s Medical Inspection Room and are receiving treatment.
“We would like to use this opportunity to warn mischief makers
threatening the peace and security of the country through falsehood such
as above.
Members of the public are please requested to go about their lawful
business and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police
station or security.”
Ohanaeze, ECA, MASSOB react
Contacted on the issue, President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia
Nwodo, declined comments until after consulting with the Abia State
Chairman of Ohanaeze and other Igbo leaders.
Secretary of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, Evangelist Elliot Uko,
wondered if the attack was a prelude to the Operation Python Dance 11
that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, has planned to
carry out in the South-East.
‘’We (ECA) are warning that if the Army did not fish out the culprits
who shot at the residence of Nnamdi Kanu, it will be setting a motion
for uncontrollable crisis that will overwhelm the country. ‘’The idea of
going to shoot at Nnamdi Kanu’s residence will only deepen the anger
and bitterness in the land. This will be idiotic and
counter-productive,’’ he said.
Reacting to the development, Movement for the Actualization of the
Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said the attack was another attempt
by the Chief of Army Staff to intimidate the people with an army of
occupation.
MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, who frowned at the development,
called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff to
order the withdrawal of soldiers from the South East without further
delay or be prepared to face legal action for alleged violation of human
rights.
MASSOB said: ‘’President Buhari should understand that Nigeria as a
signatory and member of United Nations and African Nation on human and
people’s right which is enshrined in human and people rights charter,
should stop violating peoples right in the name of giving security where
there is no threat to security.
“The operation python dance or Egwu-eke in Biafran land is act of
frustration from Nigerian government and the Chief of Army Staff, who
has failed to capture the Boko-Haram leader, Shekau on the stipulated
date given to him.
“General Tukur Buratai has never deemed it fit to launch operation
‘machiji or kunama meaning operation snake bite or scorpion sting
respectively against the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen who went about killing
people, raping women and young girls, setting people’s houses ablaze;
instead, he is coming to Biafra land to launch unnecessary security
operation that is needless due to no threat to security.
“This All Progressives Congress, APC-led government is full of dictators
and human right violators. We cannot run away from our fathers’ land,
no amount of military and police deployment will deter us from pursuing
our legitimate right for self determination which is Biafra
actualization.
“It is unfortunate that Chief of Army Staff and his troop have failed to
restore peace in North East where Boko-Haram has been in control for
many years now.
‘’Nigerian security agents have failed to arrest Alhaji Yerima Shetima
of Arewa youths and the sponsors for the quit notice they issued to
Ndigbo, yet they are busy hunting for those that are not hunting them or
disturbing them in any way.”
Police confirm clash
The Abia police commissioner, Leye Oyebade, who confirmed the incident,
said in a text message that: “I have just spoken to the C.O. [Commanding
Officer]. He said a repaired Military armoured vehicle was used to
patrol the Umuahia metropolis. I gathered that they were shooting
sporadically, which led to the IPOB group wielding daggers, throwing
broken bottles at them.
“Unfortunately, a police man on guard duties going to work was macheted
by the IPOB group, while a soldier and a civilian were equally injured.
All are being treated in the Police Clinic for minor injuries sustained.
Normalcy has since been restored.”
The alleged invasion of Kanu’s home came barely two days after the Army
announced a deployment of troops to the region on a special operation it
called Operation Python Dance II.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who disclosed this, last
Friday, at a press conference, hinted also that the exercise, codenamed
Python Dance II, would be in five South Eastern states of Abia,
Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
According to the Army boss, who was represented on the occasion by the
Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen D.D Ahmadu, the exercise will
be conducted in 82 Division area of responsibility of those five states
and the exercise is scheduled to take place from September 15 to
October 14, 2017.
Buratai said the objective of the exercise was to effectively contain
the reported cases of kidnapping and other vices prevalent in the South
East every Yuletide season.
“The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and imbibe the requisite
skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 82
Division area of responsibility in aid of civil authority necessitates
this exercise, “he added.
According to him, emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search
operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points, patrols,
humanitarian relief activities such as medical outreach and show of
force to curb the rising threat to national security in the South
Eastern part of the country.”
“Exercise EGWU EKE II has become more expedient due to the mindless
assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel
and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent
agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have
recently bedevilled the region.
“It is pertinent to mention that the security, safety and well-being of
innocent and law-abiding citizens of the states mentioned above have
been adequately factored into the planning of the exercise. Thus, the
rights of individuals as enshrined in the constitution would be
respected and safeguarded.
“Additionally, EGWU EKE II is also conceptualized to transit into real
time operations, thereby fulfilling both training and operational
objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as
providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and
agitators when called upon.
“As precursor to a peaceful ‘ember’ period and yuletide, provision has
already been made for the smooth conduct of the exercise. EGWU EKE II
will be unique with the establishment of Brigade Headquarters in each of
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.
“It is noteworthy to mention that EGWU EKE II is set to be another epoch
making activity that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s
determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the
territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the
civil authority to bring about peace and security in the south eastern
part of our dear country in particular, and the entire nation in
general,” he said.
He, therefore, advised members of the public, especially residents of
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states not to panic as their safety
and well-being was guaranteed at all times.
A similar exercise was conducted between November 27 and December 27,
2016.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/ipob-many-injured-troops-attack-kanus-home/