The leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has said that God is about to disgrace Prophet TB Joshua over his statement that Nigeria will never break up.
Society gazette had reported that TB Joshua said Nigeria would be covered by a cloud of “crisis, murder, killings, destruction”, but would not break up.
“Nothing will happen to Nigeria. Nigeria will remain one,” Joshua assured the congregation during a service at SCOAN.
Reacting over the statement, Nnamdi Kanu during a live broadcast monitored by 9NEWS NIGERIA said God is about to disgrace TB Joshua because he is spewing out prophecy year after year and non is coming to fulfillment.
He said : “TB Joshua you’ve been releasing these prophesies every blessed year. The more you release the more Yoruba people you have in IDP camps, the more you release the more Fulani takes over your land!.”
“If you’re arguing that Nigeria should be one, then you are questioning the reason the Israelite left Egypt.”
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Nigerians to take the current security and economic challenges besetting the country to God.
According to Obasanjo, the situation is now beyond what an ordinary man can solve, adding that everyone is overwhelmed.
Obasanjo, a two term President and also a former military Head of State, noted that leaders at all levels were overwhelmed by the current challenges in the land.
Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Saturday during the 16th edition of Prayer Breakfast held virtually and organised in his honour by the Christians Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter.
Obasanjo emphasised the need for prayers to battle difficult situations in the country.
“We seem to have been overwhelmed with the crises in our land, that is why we are here,” Obasanjo said.
“We have some challenges. These are beyond what we can handle we have to cry to God.
“Our land needs to be healed. We have been overwhelmed, those in government, executive, legislators, public servant, civil servant, private sector, we are overwhelmed.
“God cannot be overwhelmed. He is omnipotent, Omnipresent, I believe God will heal our land. That is the reason we are here.”
Temitope Balogun Joshua, frontline Nigerian preacher, televangelist, and founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has been reported dead. The clergyman, popularly known as Prophet T.B. Joshua, who was famous for his miracles, philanthropy and prophecies, died in Lagos on Saturday evening, shortly after concluding a programme at his church. He was 57.
Though the cause of death was not known at the time of filing this report, family sources told The Gazette his body had been deposited at the morgue and was awaiting autopsy.
Joshua, born and raised in Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State, Nigeria, was known across the globe as a miracle worker and fiery preacher on television who used his platform to attract many in search of healing from across the globe. Many prominent individuals, including presidents, celebrities and politicians visited his church headquarters in Lagos for prayers and, also, to seek the face of God.
Known for his humanitarian works, he also provided charity and scholarships to many from far and near. Emmanuel TV, an organ of SCOAN, is one of Nigeria’s largest Christian broadcast stations with global reach via digital and terrestrial switches.
Joshua was steeped in controversy as many doubted not only the genuineness of his faith but also the source of his healing powers, which he attributed to Jesus Christ. In 2014, his church was at the centre of a controversy and multi-national investigation following the collapse of a section of his church headquarters in Lagos, which left at least 115 people dead, 84 of them South Africans and many more injured. However, the highly respected man of God denied allegations of negligence. A trial was still underway prior to his death.
Still, many also believed he was a genuine man of God, what with his miracles, prophecies and humanitarian works. Aside from the healing powers of his prayers, they claim to have been healed through ‘anointing water’ that he had prayed over and given to those who are unable to physically attend his church in Lagos. Others claim they were protected from deadly incidents because they had the water with them.
In 2013, four people died in a stampede in a Ghanaian branch of SCOAN when an unadvertised service where the water was being distributed drew huge crowds far beyond the churches capacity, bringing Ghana’s capital city Accra almost to a standstill.
Joshua also stirred another controversy when he claimed his anointing water could cure the deadly disease Ebola. He subsequently sent 4,000 bottles of the water alongside a cash gift of $50,000 to Ebola victims in Sierra Leone.
Joshua was not only controversial as a miracle worker, but also his birth and childhood was tinged with unusual circumstances. He said in his biography that he spent 15 months in his mother’s womb and narrowly escaped death after a quarry explosion near his house sent rocks through its roof, just seven days after his birth. It is also alleged that his birth was prophesied 100 years before it occurred.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has been reported as describing Yoruba nation agitators as ‘foolish’.
This sweeping description will encompass Professor Banji Akintoye, who leads the Yoruba World Congress, Sunday Igboho and other canvassers for an independent Yoruba nation.
Aregbesola said the agitators are foolish because they have not considered the consequences of war, based on his reasoning that the breakup campaign would lead to war.
Aregbesola spoke on Saturday at the Zenabab Hotel, in his hometown of , Ilesha, Osun State during his 64th birthday celebration.
He urged agitators to consider the women, children, old people and those living with disabilities who would be mostly affected by the consequences of war.
He said Nigeria must be more united or else African countries will be enslaved once again.
He noted that Nigeria is the country that will liberate Africa from all oppressions therefore Nigerians must not give nod to secessionists.
“Anything that threatens and creates a problem for Nigeria may cause backwardness for our country for 50 years,” he added.
The United State Government has kicked against President Muhammadu Buhari government’s decision to ban Twitter in the country.
The US condemned the ban and described it as a poor message to citizens and investors.
The US Mission in Nigeria in a statement on Saturday said the Nigerian constitution provides for freedom of information.
Recall that the Nigerian Government, through the Ministry of Information and Culture had on Friday banned the social media platform indefinitely in the country.
This happened a few days after Nigerians on Twitter had pleaded with the operators of the platform to suspend President Muhammadu Buhari over his war threat on people of the SouthEast Region.
Twitter had in response, deleted the controversial tweet. The decision was said to have angered the government which in return banned Twitter.
In a statement, the US Mission said, “Nigeria’s Constitution provides for freedom of Information. The Government’s recent #Twitterban undermines Nigerians’ ability to express this fundamental freedom and sends a poor message to its citizens, investors and businesses.
“Banning social media and curbing every citizen’s ability to seek, receive, and impart information undermines fundamental freedom.
“As President Biden has stated, our need for individual expression, open public conversation, and accountability has never been greater. The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less communication, alongside concerted efforts toward unity, peace, and prosperity.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Nigerians to defend the country’s sovereignty by supporting the federal government’s Twitter suspension, saying it is in national interest.
The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement issue Saturday, said the ban on Twitter was a challenge to the Nigerian youths to develop another app.
“APC urges Nigerians talented in the development of social media/software applications to seize the opportunity of the suspension of Twitter operations in the country to develop homegrown applications that can rival existing social media platforms and meet the need of Nigerians.
“Russia has VKontakte (VK), China has Weibo, among several homegrown social media platforms. The APC believes that the country has the potentials and talents that can develop alternative and competitive applications to existing platforms in the world. Twitter’s suspension will undoubtedly serve as a positive trigger to unleash the creative potentials of Nigerians in the global digital space,” the party said.
It noted that this was a challenge to the vibrant youths with such talents, adding that they would get support in the exercise from relevant federal government agencies as well as the numerous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training and research establishments in the country.
It recalled that it had earlier released a statement asking Twitter and other operators of social media pages to use their platforms to check divisive and inciting rhetoric, particularly in Nigeria.
The ruling party said it had earlier tasked social media service providers on their important responsibility to curb fake news, disinformation, hate speech, among others.
It added that evidently, Twitter failed to do this and even allowed its platform to be used by arsonists, insurrectionists and separatists in the country.
Popular Nigerian singer, Olubankole Wellington, better known as Banky W has urged Nigerians to shun voting any politician older than 65 into power during the 2023 general elections since the retirement age in Nigeria is 65.
Banky W made the call while reacting to the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria by the Federal Government, which he describes as “clueless”
The 40-year-old singer cum politician in a series of tweets via his Twitter account said the government cannot stop kidnapping and other vices plaguing the country but can come out to ban Twitter.
He tweet, “Nigerian Government banned Twitter, and announced the ban ON Twitter. You can’t make this up. Clueless.
“They can’t stop kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism, the country is as unsafe as ever and yet they can seize passports and block bank accounts of peaceful protesters.
“They ban cryptocurrency. They ban Twitter. Completely out of touch with the plight of young people.
“The retirement age in Nigeria is 65. Regardless of the party if you’ll be over 65 at the time of elections, we won’t vote for you. It’ll at least eliminate an entire group that has had enough opportunities to fix this mess.
“Can we consider doing #NowToOldToRule? If you’re over 65, you’ve had your chance to help fix this mess. Isn’t it time for that entire generation to rest? The Nigerian Government should not be a retirement home. It’s worth a thought. It’s worth a shot.”
Tragedy struck in Ado Ekiti on Friday evening as soldiers numbering three allegedly killed an operative of the Department of State Services(DSS) inside a hotel.
The incident occurred at about 7.30pm at a hotel located along NTA road in Ado Ekiti where one of the soldiers was alleged to have stabbed the DSS operative.
The dead victim was said to have been stabbed on the neck and bled profusely, leading to his death.
It was gathered that the incident happened as a result of a hot argument between the soldiers and the DSS staff, after they arrested a man suspected to be an ICT fraudster inside the hostel.
The source said: “As the soldiers who were inside the hotel had stopped the young man they suspected to be a ‘yahoo boy’ and interrogating him, the young man saw the DSS operative on a bike and beckoned to him for rescue.
“When the DSS got to the soldiers, hot argument ensued between them and one of the soldiers became so angry that he drew out a knife and stabbed DSS operative in the neck.
“The DSS man fell immediately and started bleeding. The people inside the hotel drinking had to run for dear lives, in fact, they hurriedly fled the scene to prevent being arrested”, he explained.
Few minutes after the incident occurred, about six gun wielding DSS operatives were said to have stormed the hotel and arrested the soldiers.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident.
Abutu revealed that the victim was killed during an argument with some soldiers and that the police are investigating the matter.
“We heard that the DSS operative was killed during a hot argument with some soldiers yesterday evening.
“The deceased’s corpse had been deposited in the morgue. The perpetrators of the murder had been arrested.
“Let me also add that our detectives have started investigation and we will get to the root of the matter”, Abutu said.
Eighty-eight people were massacred by bandits in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state on Thursday, the police said.
Initially 66 were reported dead.
The Kebbi Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nafi’u Abubakar who confirmed the figure, said all the victims were killed in eight different communities in the local government area.
According to him, the command has so far recovered the 88 bodies and dispatched a detachment of operatives to maintain law and order in the affected communities.
“The killing took place in Koro, Kimpi, Gaya, Dimi, Zutu, Rafin Gora and Iguenge villages, all in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
“Initially, the bodies recovered were 66 but as I am talking to you now, about 88 bodies have been recovered,” Abubakar said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that in April, bandits killed nine police officers, in the area, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) as they were responding to a distressed call.
Three dismissed soldiers who aided the training of over 4000 members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have narrated how the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, lured them to join the group, but failed to fulfill his promises.
Three dismissed soldiers who aided the training of over 4000 members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have narrated how the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, lured them to join the group, but failed to fulfill his promises.
According to the trio who were recently arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT), they were promised heavy monthly pay, an all-expense paid trip abroad for further military training, and the post of generals when the Biafra state is actualised.
The suspects, Linus Owalo, Godswill Steven and Chinasa Orji, were arrested after operatives acted on intelligence from some members of the ESN, who were arrested during a raid of the group’s hideouts in Imo, Anambra, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Daily Times on Saturday gathered that the suspects trained 4000 men at an IPOB camp in Abia State, while another 400 were trained at a camp in Asaba.
Recall that the ESN, known as the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been accused of attacking and killing security operatives, as well as burning of police stations across the South East and South South regions of the country.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Owalo enlisted into the Nigeria Army in the year 2013 and was attached to 102 Guard Brigade Battalion, but was dismissed in 2019, while Orji and Steven, enlisted into the Nigeria Army in 2015 and 2017, respectively and were trained at the 133 Special Force Battalion, but dismissed in 2020.
The suspects had after their dismissal, joined the IPOB militia and gave them trainings on combat operations, ambush and use of fire arms.
Speaking on his role in the group, 32-year-old Owalo said that he and the other suspects pulled out of the group on realising that the IPOB leader could not fulfil his promises.
The father of two and a native of Layal Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State, said: “I was enlisted into the Nigeria Army, in 2013. I was posted to the Guards Brigade Headquarters, FCT Abuja, but in the year 2019, I was absent on duty and the army authorities arrested me.
I was charged and subsequently dismissed from the service. Since then I have been seeking for reinstatement and life have not been easy for my family.
“There was this man I approached for a job and he linked me to one Mr. Williams, who he said could help me get a job. Mr. Williams told me about Biafra and their dream to achieve a sovereign state.
He invited me to their meeting and when I attended I was welcomed warmly and I was given a half bag of garri, five tubers of yam and they also a paid a visit to my wife and children.
I then told them that I was making plans to get my reinstatement into the Nigeria Army and they told me that I should forget about it that their Supreme leader, Nnamdi Kanu, will make life better for me, if I train the IPOB militia known as ESN.
“They also told me that I will be taken abroad after I have trained the militia for me to gain more military training and when Biafra is actualized that I will become a general in the Biafra Army.
I took an oath, swearing my allegiance to Nnamdi Kanu and I also vowed that I will die if betray the Biafra struggle and I was given the sum of N100,000.
I was then moved to a forest in Abia State, where over 4000 men who wanted to be trained were camped.
This was in October 2020 and I also met some other dismissed soldiers of the Nigeria Army who were there to train the men.
“We commenced training the moment I arrived and we started with push-ups, moral training, then we moved to fire movement known as field craft.
There was no board and pen in the forest for us to write on but we trained them the way we could.
The people managing the camp refused to trust us and they don’t involve us in their meetings.
Three months into the training, they sent us to a camp in Delta State, we met a man known as Be-In-Spirit and he took us to the camp.
“They told us that when we get to Delta that they will take care of us very well and when we got there we discovered that camp had been shut down.
I couldn’t talk to Nnamdi Kanu. I was just talking to his boys. I was used and brainwashed by IPOB.
Since I have been arrested, I would make sure that IPOB must be swept out,” he lamented.
While also making confessional statement, Steven, aged 33, a native of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, said: “ I joined the Nigeria Army in June 2017, and I was attached to the Special Force and I got my four months training in Katogora.
I also went to Kaba Kogi State for another three months training, before I was sent to Takum Traba State for three more months training.
At the completion of my training, I was sent to 133 Battalion, where I sustained injury.
“I was posted to Maiduguri in 2018 and I fought at Garuda in Maiduguri.
I survived the battle even with my injuries and I wanted to treat myself but the army authorities refused to allow me go for treatment.
When the pain became too much, I left to treat myself and when I returned, I was arrested and locked up in a cell where I meet Chinasa Orji.
We became friends and while in the cell he told me that one of his friends called him from Senegal and informed him that Nnamdi Kanu was recruiting trained soldiers to train IPOB militia.
“He said Nnamdi Kanu was ready to pay them twice the money they are earning as soldiers. He also told me that Nnamdi Kanu would also take the soldiers abroad and when Biafra is achieved he will make them generals in the Biafra.
I accepted the offer and they paid us N100,000 each which was twice the salary I was receiving from the Nigeria Army. We then traveled to Abia State where we took oaths to be loyal to Nnamdi Kanu.
“We were also taken into the camp where we gave volunteered militias trainings on combat and special forces maneuvering.
After spending one month in their Abia State Camp, we were transferred to another Camp, where I spent three weeks training the militia I met there. I left the camp when it became clear that the promise they made to take us abroad for training wasn’t realistic.
