Niger Delta militants threatens to shutdown MTN, DSTV and others - Xenophobic

A coalition of Niger Delta militants on Wednesday threatened to blow up Multichoice (DSTV), MTN, Shoprite and 16 other major South African investments in Nigeria if the Federal Government failed to close them down within one month.

The militant groups, who were reacting to the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and their businesses, gave one month ultimatum to South Africans living in Nigeria to relocate.

The threat from the militant groups namely, Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers and Niger Delta Strike Force is contained in a copy of a letter addressed to the Office of the South African High Commission to Nigeria located at 71, Usuma Street, Off Gana Street, Abuja.

Signatories to the letter are General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs), General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteer) and General Hart Bradford (Niger Delta Strike Force).

In the letter titled ‘Attack and Killings of Nigerians Living in South Africa’, the militants expressed anger that the South African Police were shielding criminals and joining them (criminals) to kill Nigerians.

Apart from MTN, DSTV and Shoprite, some of the South African companies in Nigeria listed for attack by the militants are Eskom Nigeria, South African Breweries (SAB Miller), Umgeni Water, Refresh Product, LTA Construction and Protea Hotels.

Others, according to the letter, are Critical Rescue International, Global Outdoor Semces, PEP Retail Stores, Woolworths Holdings Limited, Truworths International Limited, Clover Industries, Oracle, Power Giant and Airtime.

The militants said, “Arising from the joint meeting of the Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers and Niger Delta Strike Force held today (Wednesday) in Port Harcourt, we condemn the recent attack on Nigerians in South Africa.

“We want to state that the recent attack (on Nigerians in South Africa) will mark the end of this nonsense because we will not fold our arms and allow this to continue. We, therefore, call on the Nigerian Government to immediately close down all the businesses owned by South Africans in Nigeria.

“Failure to close down these companies within one month, we shall mobilise in full force and commence massive attack on the above mentioned South African-owned investments in Nigeria. We shall also make sure that all MTN masts and offices are brought down to naught.

“We shall strike any property and persons from South Africa within our reach; we will bring down Multichoice (DSTV), Shoprite and others. We will not fold our arms and watch you (South Africans) slaughter our people like chickens for no just cause.

“We are fully prepared; our professional fighters are already strategising, South Africans must be crushed in Nigeria; our people must be free from these wicked agents

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We will always keep our eye on Bokoharam - Osinbajo says

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday the Nigerian security agencies will keep up their vigilance against Boko Haram terrorists.

Noting that the terrorists have been degraded, he said they still carry out suicide bomb attacks against soft targets.

Fielding questions from reporters after receiving briefing from Service chiefs, Osinbajo said: “ As you know, the Boko Haram as a military force has been degraded. They are not holding territory at the moment. Our armed forces have been able to dislodge them from practically all territories they were holding in the past.

“What is happening now is just once in a while attack by suicide bombers. By the nature of asymmetric warfare, we are not able to say it has ended now. But I think that militarily they have been contained. There is no question at all that Boko Haram as a fighting force has been degraded.

“We are still vigilant because of their capacity to do damage with suicide bombers. I am very satisfied with what the military has done so far.   And the briefing has shown graphically that they are really on top of their game and that they are doing excellently well in the Northeast.”

He explained the fact that he received the security briefing did not mean that President Muhammadu Buhari would not return soon.

According to him, the security briefings are routine.

“Besides, the President is a process person and certainly I am going to speak with him here on developments here. So, it is not an indication of anything. It is only an indication that we are committed  to the security of the nation.  The primary duty of government is to ensure lives and properties, and that is why we have to be regularly briefed.

“The good thing is that our men are going extraordinarily well in the Northeast and that Southern Kaduna has also been contained. The peace building process is also going on very well.”

Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali said: “We have trashed most of the security issues that concerns the country at the meeting, including the Southern Kaduna and the Northeast and other parts of the country.”

On whether Nigeria is now safe, he said: “Nigeria is very safe and I believe with the concept of the security agencies, all the security challenges have been surmounted.”

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Biafra: Nigeria is a country of animals, savages – Nnamdi Kanu [VIDEO]

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said Nigeria is a country of savages and animals.

He stated this on Wednesday after Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, threw out six charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

Six out of the eleven count criminal charges the FG filed against Kanu and three others, were quashed by Justice Nyako.

Justice Nyako held that the six charges were not supported by the proof of evidence the prosecution adduced against the defendants.

However, the court sustained five other charges against the IPOB leader and three other pro-Biafra agitators – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Kanu, who was dressed in a Jewish apparel, speaking afterwards said that Nigeria is a country that does not “obey the law”.

Video Link:

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Ebonyi justifies decision to demolish billboards

Ebonyi State government has justified its decision to mark billboards erected in Abakaliki and other cities for demolition.

Commissioner for the Environment Chief Moses Nome told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki most billboard owners failed to meet the stipulated conditions before their erection.

He said most billboard owners failed to pay tariff to the government, as agreed, before the billboards were erected.

“Most of the billboards are substandard. The Governor Dave Umahi administration has adopted a standard for the erection of billboards and signposts.

“This will enable the state compete with other states in aesthetic and even outshine them,” Nome said.

The commissioner said the government took steps to address the menace of dilapidated structures in Abakaliki and other towns.

”We have met house owners under the aegis of Ebonyi State Landlords Association, to inform them of our plans to remodel Abakaliki and other towns.

“We instruct them that the frontage of houses on major roads be cemented, to stop erosion.

“We arrange with landlords, who do not have money to conform to our designs, to renovate such buildings and deduct the cost from their rents until they recoup their expenditure,” he said.

Nome said the government acquainted the landlords with its intention to paint fences of buildings, adding that the exercise had started.

”Those who have money to paint their buildings can still do so, while those who don’t have money can register with us so that the painting can be done,” he said.

The commissioner said those who had registered with the government would have their buildings renovated.

”We will fence, plaster and paint the buildings. This partnership will debunk the wrong notion in certain quarters that the government wants to confiscate the beneficiaries’ buildings,” Nome said.

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