The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday called for calm as tension heightened in the country following the face-off between the military and supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

His stance was corroborated by the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir, who cautioned the youth against reprisal attacks on the Igbo residing in the state after reported attacks on some northerners in the South East by members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

Sultan Abubakar, who doubles as the head of the Nigerian Muslim community, at a press conference in Kaduna, urged imams in all mosques nationwide to preach peace in their sermons with a view to dousing the tension in the country.

Represented by the Secretary General of Jaamatul Nasir Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Sultan said what Nigeria needs now is for its citizens to unite and join hands with government to address the economic challenges facing the country.

According to him, while every Nigerian has the right to protest, it must be done within the ambit of the law.

He asked government to rise up to its responsibility by ensuring the safety of Nigerians nationwide.

“Nobody should be seen to be above the law,” he said, urging parents and leaders in the country to call the youths to order.

Speaking on the increasing rate of hate speeches in the country, the Sultan urged the federal government to hasten the passage of anti-hate speech law to bring perpetrators to book.

Emir cautions youths against reprisal attacks

The Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir, yesterday cautioned the youth against reprisal attacks on the Igbo residing in the state.

He made the appeal shortly after the congregational prayers at Katsina Central Mosque.

Kabir said the Emirate council was collaborating with security agencies to fish out youths attempting to cause trouble.

He said: “Security agents have been directed to deal with any youth or group of youths that attempt to disrupt the peace of the state.

“We are warning mischief makers not to join any group planning to cause trouble based on what is happening in Abia.

“We are calling on the people of the state to go about their legitimate business as no harm will come to them.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the emir’s appeal was also relayed through paid announcements on the state radio and television network.

In the message, the emir directed Imams to advise Muslims against taking the law into their hands in their sermons.

Tension in Niger as Igbo youths vandalise boutique

Tension was high in Minna, the capital of Niger State yesterday after an attack some Igbo youths carried out on a popular boutique named BNC.

Following the attack, other traders across the state hurriedly locked up their shops, especially those owned by Igbo.

Security presence across the state was heavy as armed security agents were seen in spots identified as flash points to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

In Minna, areas like Soje, Kpakungun, Obasanjo Complex, Tunga, Maiturare and Bosso were under tight security.

During the Jumat prayers, The Nation observed heavy military and police presence at the different mosques in Minna, the state capital.

In a statement warning the people in the state against any attempt to breach the peace, Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said that the patrol of the state security apparatus have been deployed to nip in the bud any attempt to cause civil disobedience and unrest in the state.

He said the state government would not fold its arms and allow some overzealous individuals to hold people to ransom by instilling fear, anxiety and tension in them for selfish ends.

Governor Bello said: “Nigerlites are a peaceful people and very accommodating to all Nigerians irrespective of their socio-political and ethnic divide. Therefore, anybody caught trying to cause trouble will be regarded as a criminal trying to institute anarchy in order to vandalize and loot people’s property.

“Niger State is very central in Nigeria’s evolution and has always been a melting pot of people from various parts of the world.

“Some of the prominent Igbos who became reference points in Nigeria’s political history were indigenes of Niger State by birth.

“Both Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle of Onitsha and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu were born in Zungeru, Niger State.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babalola Adewole, said there have been no breakdown of law and order in any town across the state, adding that the security agencies were on top of the situation.

He described the attack on the boutique as unfortunate, saying that the police was investigating the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

Fear of reprisal grips Igbo in Kaduna

Hundreds of Igbo traders in Kaduna metropolis momentarily closed shops yesterday following rumour of a looming reprisal by youths after the Jumat service.

The rumoured attack was said to be a response to reported killings of Hausa/Fulanis in Abia State by alleged Biafran agitators.

But the tension fizzled out when there was no such attack anywhere in the state.

Shops owned by Igbo traders at the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market and the neighbouring markets were hurriedly locked before the Juma’at Prayer.

While many didn’t open for business throughout the day again, others who did in the afternoon could not display their goods.

An Igbo trader at Chechenia Market. Mr. Mark Ibe, said they decided to lock their shops on the strength of rumour on the social media that Thursday’s violence in Jos would spill over to Kaduna yesterday.

“You can even see that I I’m not displaying my wares fully outside and the shop entrance is partly closed,” he said.

“This is to avoid destruction. Should anything happen, I can easily disappear.

“The tension affected our business, as those who wanted to buy things couldn’t see us in the shop.

“Some of us may not even open for business for some time to allow tension cool down.” Meanwhile, security agents paraded the city and normalcy returned around midday.

Earlier on Thursday,the state government and the police had assured everyone in the state of adequate security.

At a meeting with Igbo and Yoruba communities in Kaduna, Police Commissioner Agyole Abeh advised residents to go about their normal businesses.

“There is no crisis in Kaduna.The state is peaceful, I advise everybody to open his shops as usual and do your business,” he said.

“Don’t be apprehensive, the rumour is baseless and unfounded. Our men are on the alert all the time to ensure peaceful atmosphere in the State.”

Responding, Chris Nnoli and Yinka Olapade for the Igbo and Yoruba communities respectively thanked the Police for their action.

The two community leaders blamed social media for the unwarranted rumour, and assured the police that they would take the message back to their people that Kaduna is actually peaceful.

Lalong calls emergency

security meeting in Jos

Plateau State governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has expressed anger over the clash between Igbo and Hausa residents of the state, which occurred in Jos, the state capital on Thursday.

The clash, according to the governor, led to the death of two people.

Addressing community leaders at an emergency security meeting in Government House, Rayfield Jos yesterday, Governor Lalong threathened to deploy full government powers to enforce peace in the state.

Lalong said: “We all worked hard to restore peace in this state, and for the past two years, we have been enjoying the peace. I think we have a collective responsibility to sustain this peace.

“When the challenge of IPOB came as well as the quit notice by some Arewa youths, I let the whole world know the position of my government, and I said the government and people of Plateau State would not chase anyone (away) from Jos.

“I also said government would do everything to protect the lives of every Plateau State resident; that we are not a party to any quit notice.

“Plateau is home for all. Whoever is living in Jos and is paying tax to government, that person deserved to be protected by my government.”

Speaking further, Lalong said: “I was taken by surprise the situation that occurred in some parts of the state last night. Somebody sat somewhere and did something on social media to set the people of the state against themselves.

“If I said I’m happy over the tension created through the social media, I am just pretending. I am sad and worried because it cost us a great lot to restore this peace only (for it) to be truncated through the social media.

“I was compelled to impose a curfew over the situation to prevent violence, which was why I summoned this meeting with community leaders to let you know that you also have a responsibility to prevent violence in your various communities.

“Any community leader who fails to prevent violence in his domain, government will have no option but to use whatever power it has to restore peace in the area. So, no one should compel me to use government forces to restore calm. I expect you as community leaders to wake up and work for peace.

“No man or woman is allowed to take the law into their hands. There are security agencies everywhere in the state to address whatever complaint. Anyone who wants to try the power of government should be warned that government will not fold its hands and allow anyone throw the state into chaos.”

After the security meeting held behind close door in government house yesterday, the community leaders came out to address the media, promising to return home to preach peace and prevent any impeding violence in their respective community.

Abia extends curfew till Sunday

The Abia State Government has announced further extension to the curfew it imposed on Aba, the commercial nerve of the state over the face-off between soldiers and members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

This was contained in a release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos.

The statement described the effect of the curfew as huge, but it added that it was part of the price residents had to pay to ensure that normalcy was restored to the troubled city.

According to Appolos, the curfew was extended by the governor to consolidate on the peace and normalcy that was gradually returning to Aba.

He said the curfew period remained 6pm to 6pm.

Part of the release reads: “Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, wishes to express his appreciation to Abians and residents, particularly those living and doing business in Aba, for their support and cooperation during this trying period.

“For a commercial city that is also the economic hub of the state and the South East region, the effect of the socio-economic disruption in Aba is too massive to measure at this time, and the government fully appreciates all the sacrifices made to ensure early restoration of normalcy.

“We also wish to commend the efforts of the men and women of the security services currently working round the clock to restore law and order and safeguard the lives and properties of law abiding citizens and residents.

“After a profound review of the security situation across the state, we are compelled to extend the current curfew imposed on Aba to enable us consolidate the peace and normalcy that is gradually returning to the city.

“The government is therefore seeking your continued support and understanding for the further extension of the dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew in Aba to Sunday 17th of September 2017.

“Furthermore, in order to ensure the safety of our children and wards who were billed to resume school on the 18th of September 2017, we hereby direct that the resumption be postponed till the 25th of September 2017 across the state.

“It is our hope that all the measures taken so far will help to rapidly restore normalcy to all areas of the state.

I-G deploys 500 mobile policemen in Aba

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris, has deployed over 500 Police Mobile Force men to Aba to restore peace in the troubled city.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Operations, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, on a duty tour to Aba yesterday, said the I-G wants peace restored to Abia State immediately, hence the deployment of the mobile policemen who had assumed duty in Aba.

“You can see that we have emplaced security and that the whole place is quiet and our men are on patrol,” he said.

“For now, we are still monitoring. There is no problem. We are on top of the situation.

“We are working in tandem with other agencies and they are cooperating with us.”

The city was embroiled in a clash between soldiers and IPOB members in Aba between Monday and Tuesday, prompting Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to impose a curfew on the city.

Katsina: No cause for panic, Masari tells non-indigenes in Katsina

Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has said that Katsina State was safe for all Nigerians regardless of their religion or tribe.

He also asked them to go about their normal businesses without fear.

In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, the governor assured them that they have no reason to fear for their safety.

The Governor, who spoke against the backdrop of the heightened tension between the Nigerian military and members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South Eastern part of the country, said Katsina State was safe for every resident regardless of their relgious, ethnic or regional backgrounds.

He said: “Let me once again call on and reassure our fellow Nigerians from outside Katsina, but chose to live among us in pursuit of their livelihood, to go about their lawful activities with hope and confidence in the belief of our ability and willingness to give adequate protection to everybody without prejudice to any group.

“We will lead in accordance with the oath of office we swore to uphold, which is ‘to treat all manner of people without fear or or favour, illwill or affection.’ This national covenant is in rythm with our age-long slogan of ‘Katsina is Home of Heritage and Hospitality’.

“We make bold to state without fear of contradiction that Katsina is the most peaceful state in Nigeria where differences of background are non-issues as far as the indigenes are concerned.

“It is in our religion and culture to treat our guests with no less decorum and hospitality as we would ourselves. Accordingly, we will not fold our arms and allow anybody or group to breach the peaceful ambience Katsina State is famed for.

“Let me therefore urge our people to live by these ethos and disregard any information which is capable of breaching the peaceful ambience in the state. We should regard all Nigerian as brothers and sisters.

“And while we are at it, let us not forget to always seek God’s intercession for our various challenges through regular prayers for the nation and our leaders.”