From Marcel Duru, Owerri

Igbo National Movement, a sociopolitical pressure group, has said that absence of diplomacy is responsible for secessionist and other agitations in parts of the country.This is contained in a release co-signed by the group’s President General , Anthony Olisa-Okolo, Vice President, Onyemuche Mbachu and Secretary, Ugo Akpe-Onwuka in Owerri on Monday.

According to the release, the group blamed rising insecurity in the country on absence of diplomacy in addressing separatist concerns in various parts of the country. It called on the Federal Government to employ dialogue and diplomatic interaction so as to fully understand the major reasons for the clamour for secession, address these and forestall violence.The group further pointed out that separatist groups do not represent the general interest of a particular people hence the need for a diplomatic approach. ” We urge the government to employ diplomacy to resolve the issues raised by agitators and eschew the use of force as a method of first resort.”Insecurity, especially in the South-East is a result of failure to diplomatically approach sundry grievances and agitations rather than unleash military force. ” We wish to state that Igbo people as a whole have never expressed widespread support for the Biafran agitation although we acknowledge that it is the constitutional right of those individuals to express their democratic rights in a non-violent manner.”It further called on political office holders to desist from the “use of divisive language which can fuel aggression and a vengeful spirit.”It added that there may be justifiable reasons for the various agitations for self-determination by diverse ethnic nationals within the Federation and called on the government to explore dialogue.It described the Igbo people as peace loving, accommodating and progressive and argued that violent reactions are alien to the people. “There are justifiable reasons for the various agitations for self-determination by diverse ethnic nationals within the Federation and this is why the government should respond to the agitations with fraternal considerations rather than the use of force.”Ndigbo love peace, unity and progress, hence our adage, “Egbe Bere Ugo Bere, Nke Si Ibe Ya Ebele, Nku Kwa Ya” (simply put, “Live and Let Live”).

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, expresses heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the management and personnel of the FCT Police Command for the kind gesture of the honorable minister, FCT, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for fulfilling his promise to the Command.

In a statement issued by FCT Police Command and signed by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, in Abuja. It would be recalled that the Minister took decisive action by placing a bounty of twenty million naira on two notorious and most wanted kidnappers on February 14, 2024. The statement reads in part, “And has matched his words with action following the arrest of the two wanted kidnappers.”The implementation of such measures reflects the minister’s leadership and responsiveness to the security and safety of residents.”The Command is therefore highly honored and grateful for his unflinching and continuous support in combating crime and ensuring the well-being of the residents.”The CP ensured that the fund was distributed amongst the tactical teams and the divisional police officers of the command to ensure better service delivery. He also reassures the Minister and the residents of FCT that the command under his leadership will leave no stone unturned in the fight against crime and criminality and will continue to work assiduously to ensure the safety of residents.”He urges residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, and 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192”

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

One of the Bank offering services to the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has explained the reason behind the abnormal delay in March stipend to beneficiaries of the programme.The Bank offered the explanation due to repeated complaints from beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme that they had not received their stipends for the month of March.

In a letter to the Programme Administrator, Dennis Otuaro, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) explained that some delegates banking with it had not been paid due to glitches in the bank’s processing system. The bank, however, explained that it has processed the refund for the failed transactions into the beneficiary’s accounts.In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Administrator of PAP, Igoniko Oduma and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa via email said, due to complaints from some beneficiaries, the Amnesty Office had written to the bank seeking an explanation for the delay.”The Amnesty Office had disbursed March stipends to all beneficiaries’ accounts and the funds had already left its accounts”.”The Office will collaborate with UBA to ensure that all outstanding payment issues are resolved. The Office thanks all beneficiaries for their patience and display of patriotism in reacting to this unexpected development”. the statement said