NEWS
Insecurity: Ohanaeze Accuses PMB of Heaping Blames on Victims
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
Pan Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed concern that President Muhammadu Buhari would be heaping blames on the victims of incessant killings in the southeast, instead of living up to his responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic.
Admitting that the escalating security situation in the southeast was cause for concern, the umbrella Igbo body, in a statement on Monday, decried a recent position attributed to the President as both uncharitable and mischievous, which could poison undiscerning minds because it insinuated that non-indigenes and security officials were being killed by the terrorists in the South East.
Recall that President Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Sunday said, “President Muhammadu Buhari condemned in strong terms the recent attacks against non-indigenes and law enforcement officials by terrorists in the South East.”
He went ahead to urge “community and religious leaders to speak more forcefully against the killings and to stand up and defend the ethos of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has taken exception to the position of President Buhari, in a statement on Monday, titled, ‘Insecurity in the South East: Buhari is blaming the victim,’ President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Amb Prof George Obiozor, made it clear that Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the killings and violence imposed on the South East by President Buhari’s administration, of which he cannot turn around to blame the victim.
Prof Obiozor barred his mind in the statement released by Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze National, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia.
He maintained that any attempt to appropriate national problems to the South East of Nigeria would amount to taking ethnic prejudice to the extreme.
In the words of Prof Obiozor, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide joins the Presidency and indeed the good people of Nigeria in condemning this dastardly act that occurred at Imo State, South East of Nigeria.
“Ohanaeze has repeatedly explained that amongst the Igbo, human life is very sacred. The sanctity of life is so elevated that killing a human being in whatever circumstance is considered an abomination. In fact, it is not in the character of the Igbo to kill in whatever disguise.
“These recent developments are indeed very much alien to the reflexes, culture, and norms of the South East. And we have often called on the Nigerian security operatives to ensure that the perpetrators of such acts are brought to book as a deterrent to others.”
Ohanaeze, pointed out that any failure on the part of the Nigerian security agents to fish out the criminals cannot be blamed on the Igbo, wondering why the situation in the southeast was being treated as an isolated case.
“Ohaneaeze Ndigbo, however, frowns at the statement by the Presidency, which is nuanced against the South East as a haven for terrorists that attack non-indigenes and law enforcement officials, implying that the insecurity persists because the leaders have not forcefully spoken.
“This is very unfair to the Igbo, especially when the presidency knows the root cause and the nature of the insecurity in the South East.
“It needs to be added that the solution to the insecurity in the South East lies in the enormous powers of the presidency.
“The above remarks by the presidency appear to have ignored the prolonged open war with the Boko Haram in the North East; the Banditry in the North West, especially in Katsina State; the Fulani Herdsmen invasion of several communities in the Middle Belt region; the Church massacre at Owo; the daily kidnappings on our highways; the Kaduna-Abuja train abduction, etc,.”
READ ALSO: Kachikwu berates ‘Ebubeagu operatives’ for alleged murder of 7 youths
In the statement, Prof Obiozor reminded the Presidency that they spoke differently when the district head of President Buhari’s hometown was taken captive and freed after two months.
“Paradoxically, when the district head of Daura, the hometown of Mr President, was kidnapped and was freed after two months, Mallam Garba Shehu was quoted as saying that the ‘incident was evidence that Duara was not receiving preferential treatment and that insecurity was a national problem.’
“In other words, when insecurity manifests in the North West, it is a national problem; but when, on the other hand, it occurs in the South East, it is blamed on the inability of the ‘community and religious leaders to speak more forcefully against the killings and to stand up and defend the ethos of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage’,” he added.
According to Prof Obiozor the Igbo remain the most nationally spread of all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, despite the persisting insecurity.
The statement further averred that “The Igbo possess the greatest wanderlust as well as the most hospitable dispositions amongst the various ethnicities in the world. The non-indigenes in the South East enjoy untrammeled friendliness, inter-ethnic assimilation and a conducive business environment; what happened to the non-indigenes in the South East is most regrettable as part of the current national calamity.
“One would think that the inevitable consequences of the orchestrated mendacious propaganda, dubiety, subterfuge, sabotage, and serial alienation against the South East of Nigeria are already staring us in the face.”
In what appears like an attempt at identifying some of the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria, Ohanaeze wondered, “How do we fight insecurity by appointment of service chiefs based on ethnocentric and religious considerations as against the best global practices of military competence?
“Put differently, how can the South East be excluded among the over 16 service chiefs in the Nigerian armed and paramilitary forces and expect insecurity not to fester? And how; and how; and how…..? And when the chickens have come home to roost, we resort to blaming the victim.
“The famous psychologist, William Ryan, espoused that blaming the victim is an atrocious ideology that tries to justify social injustice against a group. The oppressor deliberately creates an unjust chaotic environment for the oppressed; and blames the victims for the inevitable crises that flow therefrom.
“In conclusion, it is very uncharitable, if not mischievous, to poison undiscerning minds by insinuating that non-indigenes and security officials are killed by the terrorists in the South East.
“On the other hand, to appropriate national problem to the South East of Nigeria is an ethnic prejudice taken too far. Invariably, banditry in the North Central persists because their leaders have not forcefully spoken. Rather, they are publicly celebrated and turbaned or still offered the Sheik Gumi option.
“Both history and current events in the country must have shown that unjust policy against the just shall ultimately vindicate the just,” Ohanaeze stated.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two Pakistani nationals, Roman Gull, 19, and Aftab Ahmad, 28, for allegedly leading a kidnapping syndicate that lured and abducted a fellow Pakistani in the state.
The victim, a 48-year-old man from Kano State, was tricked into traveling to Lagos with a fake job offer as a chef.
Upon arrival, he was kidnapped by the suspects and their five accomplices, who then demanded a ₦50 million ransom from his employer.
READ MORE: Edo Govt Demolishes Houses Linked To Kidnappers in Uromi, Ekpoma
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, noting that officers from the Ikeja Division responded to a distress call and successfully rescued the victim.
However, five of the suspects managed to escape.
“A distress call was received at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, about the kidnap of a 48-year-old Pakistani within Ikeja.
“Anti-crime patrol teams were swiftly deployed, leading to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of two of his captors, Roman Gull and Aftab Ahmad, both Pakistani nationals, while five others escaped,” Hundeyin stated.
Investigations revealed that the suspects arranged the victim’s flight from Kano to Lagos and accommodated him in a hotel upon arrival on February 28, 2025.
The next day, they ambushed him, tied his hands and legs, and contacted his employer in Kano, demanding ₦50 million while threatening to kill him if the ransom was not paid.
To buy time, the employer transferred ₦1 million three days later before informing the police.
During the operation, security operatives recovered the following items from the suspects, A grey Toyota Camry, $2,000 cash belonging to the victim, Three ATM cards, A green card, A driver’s license, A National Identity Number (NIN) slip.
Hundeyin assured that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and that those in custody would face prosecution after investigations.
Meanwhile, the rescued victim is said to be in good health, and his family has been contacted.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers for their swift intervention and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to tackling crime in the state.
The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpabio-Uduaghan for six months following her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The decision was reached during plenary on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions recommended her suspension.
READ MORE: I Slept In Dangote Cement Factory,’ Says Akpabio As Senate Suspends Natasha
The committee also advised that her salary and security details be withdrawn throughout the suspension period.
When the recommendations were put to a voice vote, lawmakers unanimously supported them.
As the voting process unfolded, Senator Natasha strongly condemned the decision, insisting she was being unfairly targeted.
“This injustice will not be sustained,” she declared before her microphone was turned off.
Her suspension follows a standoff in the Senate after she refused to move to a seat assigned to her, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
This led to her referral to the ethics committee for disciplinary review.
The matter escalated when Natasha, during a live television interview, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that he was trying to frustrate her politically because she rejected his advances.
Earlier on Thursday, she resubmitted her petition against him after her initial complaint was dismissed over procedural issues.
Senate President Akpabio has denied the allegations, stating that he has “never harassed any woman.”
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially announced the reopening of the Onitsha Drug Market and other adjoining markets after nearly a month-long closure.
The South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, made the announcement on Thursday following a crucial meeting between the agency, the Anambra State government, and market union leaders.
Business operations in the affected markets are set to resume on Friday.
The closure, which began early last month, was part of NAFDAC’s crackdown on the sale of illicit drugs.
READ ALSO: Four-Storey Building Collapses In Onitsha
Several markets, including the plumbing materials market, timber market, surgical materials market, and science laboratory materials market, were also shut down after large quantities of illegal pharmaceuticals were discovered.
Illicit Drugs Found Across Markets
Addressing government officials and market leaders, Iluyomade explained that NAFDAC’s actions extended beyond the Ogbogwu drug market due to the widespread presence of counterfeit and banned drugs.
“People were asking why we locked other markets that had nothing to do with drugs, but we found illegal pharmaceuticals in all the markets we closed.
“The quantity we discovered in adjoining markets was just as much as in Ogbogwu. If we hadn’t taken this action, we wouldn’t have been able to cover the extent of the problem,” he stated.
Iluyomade also highlighted the security concerns surrounding the market, recalling past incidents where NAFDAC officials were attacked while carrying out enforcement operations.
“Last year, our officers were beaten, and even a government official was stripped naked for performing his duty. We had to lock up the entire area to prevent collateral damage. This market plays a major role in drug distribution nationwide, and any contamination here would affect the entire country,” he warned.
Iluyomade commended Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo for backing NAFDAC’s efforts despite attempts by some individuals to politicize the issue.
“Fake drugs kill indiscriminately, regardless of ethnicity. The governor understood this and supported us in ensuring that harmful medicines are eliminated from circulation,” he said.
He revealed that NAFDAC had confiscated over 50 trailers of counterfeit and substandard drugs, with many more still hidden in warehouses across the city.
“The volume of narcotics we found here is enough to destabilize any nation. There is a clear link between drug abuse and insecurity. Countries battling lawlessness often have a high circulation of illicit substances,” he explained.
Additionally, the agency uncovered storage malpractice that rendered even genuine medicines unsafe.
Some warehouses were found to be storing temperature-sensitive drugs, such as those for women in labor, in hot and poorly ventilated environments, compromising their effectiveness.
Despite the market reopening, Iluyomade stressed that approximately 4,000 shops would remain sealed until their owners explain the presence of illegal drugs found in their stores.
He warned that any future attacks on NAFDAC officials or a resurgence of illicit drug sales would result in another market shutdown.
Market union leaders expressed relief over the reopening and pledged to cooperate with NAFDAC to identify those involved in illegal drug activities.
EFCC Grills Ex-Minister Uju Ohanenye Over ₦138m Fraud Allegations
Two Pakistanis Arrested, Five Flee As Lagos Police Bust Kidnap Ring
This Injustice Will Not Stand – Sen. Natasha Fights Back As Senate Suspends Her
JUST IN: NAFDAC Reopens Onitsha Drug Market After Month-Long Closure
EFCC vs EeZee Tee: Court Pushes Arraignment To May 14
I Slept In Dangote Cement Factory,’ Says Akpabio As Senate Suspends Natasha
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
