Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended the Nigerian Army for restoring security and peace in the South-East and nation at large. The President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Prof. George Obiozor, made the commendation on Wednesday, when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, paid him a visit in his Enugu office. Obiozor expressed delight over the GOC’s visit to the Ohaneze House and stated that “without peace, nations cannot progress.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to 12 aides of Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, who were been held in detention. Justice Obiora Egwuatu while delivering the ruling on Wednesday said it is clear that no charge has been brought against Sunday Igboho’s aides since their arrest. As such, the court held that detaining them without charging them contravenes the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and their fundamental rights. Pelumi Olajengbesi, the counsel to the 12 aides, had asked the court to admit his clients to bail unconditionally. Eight of the applicants, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th applicants, were granted bail in the sum of N5million each with surety in like sum resident in Abuja. While the remaining four applicants, the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 12th applicants, were approved bail in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum also resident in Abuja. The lawyer to the Department of State Services, I. Awo, told the court that he was not opposed to the bail of eight of the applicants.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has assured residents of Jos North LGA of the state that the breach of peace following an attack by hoodlums at Gada Biyu on Tuesday night, has been put under control. Governor Lalong, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, said, “The intervention of the security personnel immediately brought the situation under control as the youths were dispersed and the road cleared, thereby restoring traffic flow.” He, however, warned against any act that could lead to the breakdown of law and order in the area. He assured residents that, “security forces have continued their operations to dominate areas affected by recent attacks in Bassa and Riyom LGAs with a view to restoring normalcy and arresting perpetrators, as earlier directed after an emergency Security Council Meeting”.

Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), have asked the proscribed Indigenous Peopl of Biafra (IBOP) to review its threat to lock down the Southeast region over Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s travail from August 9, saying such directive could be counter-productive, given the current harsh economic realities facing Ndigbo and the entire nation. They stressed that what Ndigbo needed presently was any drive or agenda that could accelerate growth and development of the region above others than anything that might escalate tension in the zone. IPOB issued a threat to attack any who violates the lockdown of states in the East every Monday. The group believes the lockdown of movement and all forms of activities including economic activities will cause the federal government to lose revenue. They believe the sit-at-home will put pressure on the government to release their incarcerated leader. In a statement by COSEYL President General Goodluck Ibem on Tuesday, the group pointed out that while it understands that the group has the right to self-determination, but added that it does not see any economic wisdom in shutting down business in the zone especially on Mondays, generally regarded as the beginning of a business week.

Gunmen have been reported to have gunned down several persons and burnt several houses in some parts of Miango chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau. The attackers were said to have raided the communities, although, as at the time of reporting, the number of casualties is yet to be ascertained. According to a statement issued by Plateau command Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Ubah, he said the command received a report of a conflict between gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia and youths from the Irigwe community that involved several lives and properties. He added that the police has begun a full investigation into the matter.

Kaduna State government has filed fresh charges against the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky 48 hours after being discharged and acquitted by Justice Gideon Kurada. A Kaduna State high court had on Wednesday discharged and acquitted El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat Ibrahim from an 8 count charge of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of the public peace, among others for four years.