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IPOB Calls For Ban On Miyetti Allah, Open Grazing To Curb ESN Operations
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.
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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
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured corps members deployed to the state of their safety, despite rising security concerns across the region.
Speaking on Friday through the Commissioner for Youth, Sports Development and Creativity, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, Governor Alia said his administration is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members throughout their service year.
“Sadly, our nation is currently bedevilled with security challenges, and Benue State is not exempt,” the governor stated.
“However, let me quickly allay your fears and assure you that, as a government, we are committed to ensuring that your safety is guaranteed throughout your stay in the state.”
He noted that comprehensive protective measures have been implemented across corps lodges and other areas occupied by corps members in the state.
Governor Alia also encouraged the new corps members to take full advantage of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a “gateway to great opportunities.”
He further urged them to use their God-given talents to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Veronica Garba, thanked the governor and the people of Benue for their continued support of the scheme.
She charged the new inductees to actively participate in the four cardinal components of the orientation course: physical training, motivational lectures, sporting activities, and SAED.
The orientation exercise welcomed a total of 1,600 corps members, officially inducted into the programme by Justice Peter Ukande, who represented the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambeae.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved the appointment of a new Acting Director of Administration for the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu.
This was contained in a statement in Uburu on Thursday by the DUFUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Agwu N. O.
According to Agwu, the new appointee is Edith Anih, an indigene of Enugu State with relevant working experience, having worked at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, where she was Deputy Director of Administration.
It was gathered that the approval was conveyed in a letter dated April 23, 2025, addressed to the Chief Medical Director.
Prior to her appointment, Anih held the position of Deputy Director of Administration at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.
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He wrote, “Mrs. Anih Edith Ndidi is a seasoned administrator born on May 22, 1973. She is married and hails from Enugu State, specifically Enugu South Local Government Area.
“She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management. She is also an associate member of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN).
“The Management of DUFUTH extends a warm welcome to the new DA and looks forward to collaborating with her as she brings a fresh perspective to the hospital’s administrative leadership.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to launch a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in a major move aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
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Edun explained that the upcoming audit, along with recent changes in NNPCL management, is part of a broader effort to reform the state-owned oil company and rebuild trust in Nigeria’s economic institutions.
Addressing top global investors, including representatives from financial giant J.P. Morgan, Edun outlined a series of bold economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the measures are already yielding positive results and have laid a strong foundation for future growth.
“Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it,” Edun said. “We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
According to Edun, Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.84% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an overall annual growth rate of 3.4%.
He described the government’s economic strategy as “unprecedented,” adding that key indicators such as the budget deficit, trade balance, and exchange rate have all shown signs of improvement.
“We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course,” he emphasized.
The minister also highlighted the government’s focus on agriculture as a critical driver of economic growth, saying efforts are underway to close the food supply gap by empowering local producers.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
In the area of infrastructure, Edun announced that 90,000km of fibre optic cable has been rolled out to boost internet connectivity, especially for young Nigerians and the tech ecosystem.
Additionally, 4,000km of roads have been earmarked for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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