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IPOB Calls For Ban On Miyetti Allah, Open Grazing To Curb ESN Operations

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated that it would consider ending the operations of its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), if the Nigerian government bans the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and abolishes open grazing across the country.

This declaration comes amid ongoing tensions around herder-farmer conflicts, particularly in Nigeria’s southeastern and southwestern regions.

READ ALSO: DSS Lifts Restrictions, Nnamdi Kanu Reunites With Legal Team

In a statement, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful asserted that the ESN would remain active in defending southeastern Nigeria as long as Miyetti Allah continues to operate and open grazing is allowed.

He highlighted the group’s ongoing mission to protect Igboland from alleged threats posed by herdsmen from the Sahel region.

“The sole purpose for the existence of ESN is to checkmate the excesses of these killer herdsmen from the Sahel and to ensure that no inch of the Land of the Ancients (Igboland) is forcibly taken over and occupied by killers disguised as herdsmen,” the statement read.

Powerful argued that IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the ESN deserve recognition for their efforts to shield the Southeast from the activities of violent herdsmen, which he claims have caused upheaval in other regions of Nigeria.

“Not many people in Nigeria today know that a sizeable chunk of Yoruba land, Oyo State in particular, is under forcible occupation by these killer herdsmen from the North. This was what some Yoruba agitators were fighting against—or have we all forgotten?” he questioned.

Powerful pointed to alleged forced occupations in Oyo State and the Tiv areas of Benue as evidence, claiming these regions have been significantly impacted by violent encroachments.

He cited examples, such as forests in Oyo now renamed “Gambari,” a name that, he noted, is not indigenous to the Yoruba community. Similarly, he claimed that parts of Benue have been renamed “Katsina Ala,” which he says is a sign of displacement in Tiv lands.

“Today, no Yoruba man would dare enter a forest renamed Gambari in Oyo State that is the heart of the Yoruba race. Is Gambari a Yoruba name? Tiv people of Benue today have forfeited their ancestral land, which has long been renamed Katsina Ala,” he added.

“Every well-meaning Easterner should be grateful to Nnamdi Kanu and ESN for blunting and putting a permanent stop to the relentless advance of killer herdsmen from the Sahel.”

Drawing parallels with Amotekun, a similar vigilante group established to protect Yoruba lands, Powerful emphasized that ESN’s only purpose is to protect the Southeast from similar threats.

“Like the Yoruba Amotekun formed to give legitimacy to the quest to eradicate killer herdsmen from Yoruba farms and forests, ESN is here to protect the people, nothing more, nothing less,” he stated.

He added that while other Nigerians may tolerate herdsmen activities in their regions, IPOB would not allow such a situation in the Southeast.

“If other Nigerians are comfortable with killer herdsmen taking over their forests and farmlands and slaughtering their people at will, that is their prerogative. Such a state of affairs will never be replicated in Biafraland. As long as IPOB exists, Fulani herdsmen will never take over any inch of territory in Biafraland.” he added

 

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JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77trn Loan Request

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To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.

The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.

RELATED NEWS: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit

Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.

Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details shortly………….. 

 

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Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

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Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been arrested by Finnish authorities on allegations of inciting terrorist activities.

The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered his detention following an incident that reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021.

READ ALSO: Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the arrest of four other individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the charges involve public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.

“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.

Details regarding the additional suspects or the specifics of the alleged crimes remain unclear as the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized the sensitive nature of the case, stating that further information will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses.

This development marks a significant step in Finland’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.

 

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COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

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As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.

The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.

The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

READ ALSO: Osun Explains N75,000 New Minimum Wage

However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.

Ambiguity in Funding Commitments

Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.

Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.

“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.

The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.

Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Key Provisions and Concerns

The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.

READ ALSO: NNPCL Launches Utapate Crude Oil Blend, Eyes Production Expansion In 2025

It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.

However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.

David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.

“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.

Rising Frustration from the Global South

Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.

Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.

“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Critical Juncture

With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.

Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.

 

 

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