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WE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THE TIv PEOPLE OF CENTRAL NIGERIA

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Text of Press briefing by Dr. Icheikura Moses Bem Ugoh, a public intellectual of TIv Extraction at Difudi Eatery and Lounge, Railway Bye Pass, High Level, Makurdi, Benue State.

 

Gentlemen of the press,

  1. You may recall recent altercations between myself and one Isah Ahmed of Berekete family Human Rights Radio, Abuja, following his reckless demonic and defamatory profiling of the entire Tiv race, while purportedly mediating over a xenophobic attack on the Aku family of Akaahar Adi Community, a suburb of the GRA Gboko. This dastardly act gained public condemnation from several quarters as a gross violation of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
  2. Indeed, such nefarious acts are dehumanising, barbaric, criminal and abominable to every citizen anywhere, anytime regardless of the personality, status or classification of victims.
  3. Let me reiterate my earlier condemnation of this particular vicious incident that has brought us to negative limelight on account of delayed prosecutorial action by relevant law enforcement agencies.This is totally not in our character as a people with a history of peaceful co existence and accommodation in pure cosmopolitan settlements hosting people from diverse backgrounds.
  4. This explains my prompt reaction to Isah Ahmed’s slanderous villification of the TIv race with a definite demand for retraction and public apology. This was after a fruitless due diligence to ascertain the link between his arbitration role and invective innuendos and bellicose vituperations against innocent Tiv people worldwide
  5. Consequently, I handed down a seven days Ultimatum for compliance, failure of which will determine my next line of action. Many doubted our resolve to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion on such a very sensitive and contentious matter that morally affects more of our future generations.
  6. Gentlemen of the press, let me publicly acknowledge and accept the public apology of Mr. Isah Ahmed, which he personally delivered on the same medium and programme on Monday, 20, May 2024, shortly before the expiration of the ultimatum, apparently to forestall my anticipated action.
  7. In accepting his dramatic and discourteous apology that referenced me as an insignificant man, I want to further acquaint him of my particulars as an incurable patriot and conscious Nationalist of TIv Extraction on earth planet.
  8. Furthermore, the apology he tendered was not personal to me but suffice to say that his virile posturing and offensive labelling of the TIv heritage was a monumental disaster to the psyche of all TIv people, thus causing irreparable reputational, spiritual and psychological damages to the entire Tiv race.
  9. Interestingly, this disastrous episode has provoked spontaneous responses to the intriguing TIv predicament in contemporary Nigeria, especially within the boundaries of their ancestral habitation.
  10. Therefore, beyond the acceptance of a dramatised cosmetic apology from an ordinary president at the instance of an insignificant man, let me sound our collective resolve as a people to further pursue justice on the contentious issues that were contained in the infamous anti TIv broadcast that erroneously questioned the indigenous status of the TIv people in both Taraba and Nassarawa States.
  11. There is currently a critical evaluation that is on going by major TIv Stakeholders for a more consolidated response and necessary action at the appropriate time.

 

  1. In conclusion, permit me to use this opportunity to appreciate the overwhelming solidarity support for this noble cause for a reawakening to define who the Tivs are in contemporary and emerging Nigeria.
  2. Thank you, Gentlemen of the press for your attention.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.

PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.

Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.

In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.

Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”

His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.

“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.

“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.

“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.

“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.

On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.

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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court

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The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.

“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.

He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.

Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.

While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.

He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.

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Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism

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The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.

However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.

“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.

He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.

Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.

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