DSS has granted us access to Kanu, says laywer By Nicholas Kalu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has granted detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) access to his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Ejiofor made this known in a statement on Friday. He said: “Thankfully our effort is yielding the desired result. We have just received a communication approving our visit to our Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Shall keep the world posted on the outcome, immediately after the meeting, later in the Day. God is with us.” Ejiofor had on Thursday protested an application for audience with his client had not been approved. In another tweet late Thursday, Ejiofor said he had met with the IPOB leader. The tweet reads:” Update on meeting with MNK today, 2nd July 2021: “My Client – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was actually abducted by the accursed Kenya’s Special Police Force on the 18th of June 2021 at their International Airport and consequently taken to an undisclosed residence under dehumanizing conditions. “He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition. He was illegally detained for eight (8) good DAYS in Kenya before being transfered to their Nigerian counterpart. “He was purportedly investigated on a bogus charge while in their custody, ostensibly, awaiting to be handed over after their findings proved him innocent of all the spurious allegations. They later beckoned on their Nigerian counterparts to take over. “Kenyan Government was deeply involved in the abduction, detention and ill-treatment of my Client before the illegal handover to their Nigerian counterpart. “A scan of his heart showed that the heart has enlarged by 13% due to the dehumanising treatment meted to him. There will be need for immediate proper medical examination and attention for him. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu conveyed his goodwill message to all IPOB family members worldwide, and craved for your unrelentless prayers. “We are going back to the Court for the needful. Other details cannot be entertained here. “His fortified legal team will address these infractions at the proper forum as we progress. Other details on our legal strategy, may not be made public. “With Chukwuokike Abiama on our side, Victory is assured. For if God Almighty be for us, who can be against us? #freeMaziNnamdiKanu#” Kanu has been in the custody of the DSS since he was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria on Sunday to face trial after jumping bail in 2017 for charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and illegal possession of arms among others. His trial will continue from the 26th and 27th of July 2021 at the Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu’s arrest: Lawyers write UK, protest extradition, FG guns for collabor atorsBy Samson Folarin, Solomon Odeniyi, Lesi Nwisagbo, Edward Nnachi, Dennis Naku, John Charles and Raphael Ede

The Federal Government on Thursday said it would go after highly-placed Nigerians and other collaborators of the Independent People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja, said irrespective of the collaborators’ standing in country, they would all face the full wrath of the law for challenging the nation’s sovereignty. Mohammed said this as the lead counsel to the IPOB leader, Aloy Ejimakor, in an interview with one of our correspondents, disclosed that he had written the British High Commission, complaining about Kanu’s arrest and extradition. He also lamented that despite writing the Department of State Services, he had not been allowed access to the IPOB leader. Kanu, who is facing trial for treasonable felony, jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country for the UK when soldiers stormed his parents’ residence at Afaraukwu, Abia State. The Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, however, announced on Tuesday, that he had been rearrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services. The Abia State indigene, who is also a British citizen, was thereafter taken before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where an application for his remand in DSS custody was granted. The Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, on Thursday, said, “None of Kanu’s collaborators, irrespective of their standing in society will be spared. “They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity. No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country.” The minister also faulted those calling for fair trial for the IPOB leader, saying he jumped bail when he was granted one. The minister added, “It is interesting that many are suddenly calling for a fair trial for Kanu as if he didn’t get one before he decided to jump bail and flee. “However, I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him.” Mohammed claimed that Kanu lived a flamboyant lifestyle before he was arrested. Kanu lived five-star life – Lai Mohammed “It will interest Nigerians to know that for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes. “Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing clothes made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested,” the minister said. He refused to give details of how and where Kanu was re-arrested. He however admitted that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of security and intelligence agencies in collaboration with undisclosed countries. He described Kanu’s re-arrest as one of the most classic operations in the world. He added, “There have been speculations on how this re-arrest was pulled off and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was nabbed. “What we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations. We continue to respect and honour the obligations.” IPOB fumes over Uhuru Kenyetta’s role But IPOB expressed displeasure over the role allegedly played by the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyetta, in what it described as the unlawful arrest of Kanu. The group, which said its investigations showed that Kenyetta was instrumental to the unlawful arrest of Kanu, observed, “The treacherous action of Uhuru kenyatta against Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans at large is a clear violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, and United Nations Code.” The secessionist group stated this in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH, on Thursday. It stated, “Based on our preliminary findings, President Uhuru Kenyetta was very instrumental to the abduction of our leader in Kenya. The treacherous action of Uhuru Kenyatta against Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans at large is a clear violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, and United Nations Code. “As we continue with our investigations into this crime with a view to unmasking all the collaborators, we announce the following interim actions until further notice: “We call on all Biafrans both home and in the Diaspora to boycott travels with Kenya Air Lines; to immediately stop patronising any product made in Kenya; and to boycott any business dealings with Kenyans. We cannot be relating friendly with anyone collaborating with our oppressors to keep us in perpetual slavery!” On his part, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, advised the Federal Government to ensure that rule of law and due process was followed in the prosecution of Kanu. Governor Wike, who made this assertion during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, explained that irrespective of the differences the arrested IPOB leader had with Rivers State Government, he suggested that due process must be followed in his prosecution. Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, stated Wike’s position in a statement in Port Harcourt titled, ‘Trial of Nnamdi Kanu must follow due process—Wike’ with a sub-title ‘demands arrest of bandits, Miyetti Allah militias’. Also on Thursday, there was palpable tension in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state. Recall that the military has been in Oyigbo for over eight months since hoodlums burnt down police stations there. Our correspondent, who monitored the area, reported said the military base and police stations in Oyigbo lpare were heavily guarded. It was observed that the number of checkpoints along the Oyigbo road had increased, while sandbags had been placed at the border between Rivers and Abia states to serve as barricades. Insecurity: Apply same zeal to apprehend killer herders, Ortom advises FG The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, also spoke on Kau’s arrest and appealed to the Presidency to apply the same zeal and strategy it used to apprehend him to also arrest sponsors of armed herdsmen as well as leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. Ortom said that the Presidency would not need to dissipate much energy in the arrest of armed herders since, according to him, the leaders of the Miyetti Allah live in the country. He stated, “It is regrettable that Kanu who is fighting a just cause could be arrested while leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are walking about freely. “Let there be justice and the only way to do this is to arrest the leaders of the herdsmen who have caused so much pain and suffering to our people. “Let me say that if Federal Government could deploy so much zeal to arrest Nnamdi Kanu they should also be able to apply same in arresting the herdsmen, especially, the leadership of Miyeiti Alla Kauta Hore who live with us in the country.” 1,000 arrests won’t stop agitations – Mbaka The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, said arrest of 1,000 people would not stop agitations. Mbaka spoke on Wednesday during his weekly ministration ‘E No Dey Again’, told the worshippers that some state governors had lured the IPOB leader into the hands of his traducers. While blessing inmates and correctional centres across the country, Mbaka’s countenance suddenly changed and he said, “Don’t sell your sons and daughters because of a political promise that you are not even sure will materialise tomorrow. “Don’t sell your son because you are governors today! Live and let live. “Let the leaders listen. The solution is not in arrest and handcuff, the solution is in job creation! Leaders beware! Their stubbornness will collapse this country one day! If care is not taken, will happen like an earthquake! “Even if you arrest 100 people, it will not stop the agitation. If anything, it will worsen the situation,” he warned. It was not clear which governor or governors that the priest was referring to, but it appeared that South-East governors were not unconnected with Mbaka’s vituperations. Mbaka stated, “Many people are clapping for them (the Federal Government) now, but when the heat becomes unbearable; when the sun riots, when heavens shake you will understand. “When they killed Jesus Christ and put him in the prison-grave – Jesus’ prison was in the grave – they thought it was all over for Him, that the end had come. “Whoever that you have in heart now that is in the prison, may the Lord be with that person. May the Lord show such a person mercy. May the Lord show him favour, even from the prison warders that would be protecting him,” he noted. Mbaka also took a swipe at the Federal Government over what he called, worsening poverty, hunger and insecurity in the country, and charged the present regime and leaders at all levels to act fast and address the country’s challenges before it was too late. Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, H Stella Odife has called on the Federal Government to stop using force in resolving national issues, noting that re-arresting the leader of IPOB would not solve the problems in Nigeria. Odife, who spoke during the inauguration of South-East Peace Counsellors by the Advocates for Global Peace Forum International, said that there could not be peace in Nigeria without first dealing with underlining issues. While calling on the Federal Government to listen to the agitation of youths, Odife disclosed that the agitation was as a result of poor governance, militarisation and marginalisation of the zone by the regime led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). “We cannot talk of peace in the South-East without thinking of Nigeria as a whole because the major problem we have down here is as a result of activities at the national level.” Ejiofor, lead counsel to the detained IPOB leader, on Thursday, said two days after he wrote the DSS, he had yet to be allowed access to Kanu. Ejiofor accused the DSS of having an agenda as it had not responded to the letter he wrote to the DSS to enable him to see his client. He also said that he had copied the letter to the court. In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, he said, “They are working in collaboration with the court. That was why they took him to the court without my knowledge. Otherwise, what stopped them from calling me and letting me know the matter coming up on Tuesday. “Now I had to write application to the DSS to allow me to see him and up till now they have not responded. So there is a conspiracy between the Federal Government and the court to kill him.” I’ve been denied access to Kanu since arrest, says lawyer The lawyer, however, said the British High Commission was already looking into the case after he wrote a letter on the matter. Kanu’s lawyer said he filed a formal request with the DSS for counsel visitation, adding that he did not get any response. “And that’s not fair. It’s even straining on being unlawful as a detainee has a constitutional right to have prompt access to his counsel. “Yesterday (Wednesday), I wrote a formal letter to the British High Commission on this matter and I am happy to say that it is receiving prompt and favourable consideration. “In my view, the manner of his interdiction and forcible deportation to Nigeria is profoundly extra-legal and does not conform to international laws and treaties to which Nigeria is signatory. Kanu is not a common criminal, but a political prisoner or a prisoner of conscience. As such, the next engagements will not only be legal but political and diplomatic, especially given the fact he is a British citizen who was unlawfully renditioned and brought to Nigeria against his will and the will of the British authorities,” he added. By Samson Folarin, Solomon Odeniyi, Lesi Nwisagbo, Edward Nnachi, Dennis Naku, John Charles and Raphael Ede PUNCH.

Buhari to launch Kano-Kaduna rail project in few weeks, says Amaechi. Agency Report

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) will launch the construction of Kano -Kaduna rail project in the next few weeks. Amaechi disclosed this on Friday while speaking at the weekly Presidential Media briefing organised by the State House Media Unit in Abuja. He said that all contracts for the projects had been awarded as the loan for the project was not forthcoming from China as earlier planned. He said, “In the next two weeks, we should be launching and commencing immediately the construction of Kano-Kaduna rail project. “The president will be launching it and then we will commence construction immediately. “The reason why we are commencing construction immediately is that all the necessary contracts have been awarded. FG’ll fund one-third of Kano-Kaduna rail project – Amaechi “We have been waiting for the loan for too long from China and the money has not come. “So, we decided to fund it from the budget. We already paid 218million dollars to them and we are about to pay another 100million dollars to make it about 318million dollars. “Kano-Kaduna is about 1.2billion dollars – the moment you pay about 318million dollars, you must have paid one-third of the project. “So, we believe that by the time we get the loan we must have funded up to 600million dollars. “So, that should be able to take the project nearly halfway before the fund will come because if we continue to wait for the loan whether, from China or Europe, we may likely not complete it before we go.” (NAN)

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu granted access to lawyer by Sodiq Oyeleke

The leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been granted access to meet with his lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Counsel to the IPOB leader made this known in a tweet on Friday. There had earlier being a complaint by IPOB that Nnamdi Kanu was denied access to his lawyer before trial on Tuesday. “Update, Thankfully Our effort is yielding the desired result, we have just received a communication approving Our visit to Our Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Shall keep the World posted on the outcome, immediately after the meeting, later in the Day. God is with us,” the lawyer tweeted. Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country. The former London estate agent disappeared in 2017 after being released on bail, only to re-emerge in Israel and then in the United Kingdom. Kanu’s arrest: Lawyers write UK, protest extradition, FG guns for collaborators He was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26 and July 27. The Federal Government said security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of Kanu for over two years before he was re-arrested, adding that the head of the outlawed IPOB movement was detained again on Sunday – without giving details on the location of his arrest. Kanu was initially arrested in late 2015 after calling for a separate state for Biafra, in South-East Nigeria. His detention sparked mass protests and clashes with security services. IPOB, which agitates for a separate Igbo state, has denied being behind the violence, accusing the government of a smear campaign. Election offices have also been attacked by suspected members of the group.

NDDC: There’s fear, tension in Niger Delta, people are agitated, says Tompolo by Segun Adewole

Niger Delta ex-militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has said the Federal Government has failed to constitute a board for the Niger Delta Development Commission which it promised to do in the month of June. Tompolo, in a statement on Friday, said the people of the Niger Delta region are yet to see any tangible move towards the constitution of the NDDC board. He stated the people are agitated, adding that there is palpable fear and tension in the region. He, however, advised his fellow agitators to avoid anything that may throw the peaceful region into chaos because of the government’s nonchalant attitude. The statement read in part, “It could be recalled that I issued ultimatum to the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful on the issue of the NDDC board by constituting the substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as an urgent matter of public importance and interest to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the region, some time ago.” “My ultimatum led to a consultative meeting between major stakeholders from the region and Senator Godswill Akpabio in Oporoza town, where a truce was reached, as the Minister profusely pleaded that he should be allowed to start and fast-track the process of constituting the board within the month of June 2021. “June 2021 has come to an end. The people of the region are yet to see any tangible move towards the constitution of the NDDC board by the Federal Government. The people are seriously agitated. There is palpable fear and tension in the region. “I wish to reiterate my earlier position that, the government should as a matter of urgency, constitute the substantive board of the NDDC to avoid unnecessary bickering and crisis in the region. Since I reluctantly accepted the outcome of the consultative meeting, I have done so much to keep peace in the region which some major stakeholders in the security circle are aware of. “I have been in constant touch with my fellow agitators in the region to give peace a chance, knowing fully well that there cannot be any meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony. “As it stands now, the one thing the government must do in this issue is to be courageous enough to constitute the NDDC board. Government must be sincere in handling developmental issues in the Niger Delta region as the people have suffered enough, being neglected for several decades. “The truth of the matter is that there is so much bitterness in the land owing to the lackadaisical attitude of this government in handling matters of great importance to its citizens. “As for my follow agitators, please permit me to borrow the biblical words of Jesus Christ, which is we should be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove to continue our agitation for a better living for our people. “We must avoid anything that may throw the only relatively peaceful region in the country now, into chaos because of government’s nonchalant attitude towards the security and welfare of its citizenry as constitutionally provided. “The average Nigerian citizen is a government of his or her own as the citizens provide everything for themselves today. “The government is unfair to a greater number of its citizens. The Nigerian Government must create an enabling environment for the citizens to live a prosperous and peaceful life. “Multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region are not left out in the troubles of the region. “They are clearly part of the conspiracy in the marginalization of the region. They must perform their statutory obligations to the people of the region by promptly delivering corporate social responsibility to the people. “Most of the companies are operating under the cover of the Nigerian Military, which has further exacerbated the relationship between Multinationals and their host communities. They must do their business in a most friendly atmosphere, and not set neighbouring host communities against one another.”

Nigerian civil war was an unfortunate tragedy – COAS Major General Faruk Yahaya By Okodili Ndidi

The Chief of Army Staff Major General Faruk Yahaya, Thursday, described the Nigerian civil war as an unfortunate tragedy that shook the foundation of the nation’s unity. He however noted that the reconciliation that followed afterwards, helped to heal the wounds of the war and once more engender unity The COAS stated this while briefing Defence Correspondents on the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2021. He explained that the NADCEL is an annual event which was first celebrated on 6th July 1978, in solemn remembrance of that historic moment of first shot released on 6th July, 1967 marking the commencement of the country’s 30-month Civil War. According to him, “the event is celebrated to equally bring to the knowledge of all Nigerian Army personnel and indeed all Nigerians that the war was an unfortunate tragedy and the reconciliation afterwards should be instrumental to strengthening our national unity. In subsequent celebrations, the NA uses NADCEL as a medium to reflect on its performances in previous year for effective projections. “In doing this, lessons are being drawn from numerous operational activities of the Nigerian Army amidst daunting security challenges peculiar to each region of the country. “This requires doggedness, commitment, perseverance and sacrifice from all personnel of the Nigerian Army. This responsibility has no doubt become compelling particularly in view of our multifaceted security challenges. The Nigerian Army with the collective effort, cooperation and commitment of other security agencies as well as citizens have been able to live up to its expectations though with some rooms for improvement. “We are also profoundly mindful of the confidence placed on us by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces president Muhammadu Buhari and indeed the citizens to defeat our adversaries and secure the territorial integrity of our dear nation. This must be achieved within the shortest possible time. ‘The Nigerian Army solicits the cooperation of law abiding citizens and shall continue to make our citizens proud.” He added that this year’s event will be celebrated in low key, given the circumstances that preceded his coming on board as the twenty second Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. Yahaya recalled that the demise of the late former COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others who lost their lives in the most unfortunate air mishap at Kaduna International Airport on 21 May 2021 is still fresh in our memory, stressing this has significantly affected the scheduled activities for NADCEL 2021. The Army Chief noted further that the weeklong annual event lined up to commemorate NADCEL 2021 will be used to reflect on the performance of the NA and celebrate our achievements as well as project the Nigerian Army as an important symbol of national power, unity, integration and development. He said that though low key the celebration is worthwhile as it will create an opportunity to showcase the doggedness and unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army’s personnel in the face of daunting security challenges. “Other activities lined up to mark the NADCEL 2021 Celebration. These include, Juma’at Prayers in all Nigerian Army formations and units on Friday 2 July 2021 which will be followed by Interdenominational Church Service to be held in all Nigerian Army formations and units across the nation on Sunday 4 July 2021. The NADCEL 2021 will also enable the Nigerian Army reach out to the public through its Medical Outreach Programme on Monday 5 July 2021, during which inhabitants of some selected communities around the country will benefit from a free medical services. “Equally there will be Humanitarian Outreach programme to be conducted by members of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) in selected areas of FCT and environs on 5 July 2021. The NADCEL 2021 activities will culminate with a lecture and COAS Commendation Award on Tuesday 6 July 2021 at Command Officers Mess 1, Asokoro Abuja.” He concluded that the Nigerian Army will discharge its constitutional duties in tandem with the rules of engagement, respect for all aspects of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as other international principles and guidelines to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Banjo, the accidental Biafran By Dare Babarinsa

The arrest and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed IPOB, is going to dominate the news for many months to come. The trial promises to be a cause celebre, one of those rare cases in which politics, criminality and sensation are mixed with high drama. It is indeed a fitting irony that Kanu, despite his frenzied rhetoric, including referring to his country as a zoo, he was still sober enough to carry a Nigerian passport. We look forward to many more sting operations that would bring to justice leaders of Boko Haram terrorist group and other outlaw organisations. Many of the young supporters of Kanu roaming the streets of Igboland, believe that they are campaigning for the rebirth of the ill-fated state of Biafra. They think that the last Biafra War has ended. It has not. The last Biafran War cannot and would not be truly concluded until the leaders of the Igbos decide to return the body of Colonel Victor Banjo to Yorubaland. Banjo was an accidental Biafran. He died for Biafra. Banjo was executed on September 22, 1967 at the end of a secret trial ordered by Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Head of State of Biafra. He was 37. Banjo’s dark end was the sorry denouement of a brilliant career in the Nigerian Army. Those executed with him were Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Phillip Alale and Sam Agbam. Banjo was at the centre of a web of events that climaxed in the Biafran invasion of then Mid-West State (formerly Mid-West Region and later known as Bendel State and now divided into Edo and Delta states). Ojukwu, the Head of State of the Republic of Biafra, had asked Banjo to lead the invasion as the commander of the Biafran 101st Division. The invasion ended badly and that may have been what earned Banjo his death sentence. By 1966, Banjo was one of the few Yoruba officers in the Nigerian Army, which was then dominated by soldiers from the North and officers from the East. After the first coup of January 15, 1966, Major-General J.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi, became Nigerian first military Head of State and the Supreme Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He decided to work with younger officers of the rank of lieutenant colonels whom he appointed as military governors. That action might have been due to the fact that all the senior officers of Northern Nigerian origin have been killed in the first coup. The lone survivor was Lt Colonel Yakubu Gowon whom Ironsi quickly appointed the Chief of Army, a position that was vacated by Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo who had now gone on an overseas course. All the surviving colonels and senior lieutenant colonels were retained in the Defence Headquarters in Lagos to work with Ironsi. Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, the most senior officer, became Ironsi’s deputy. Colonel Shittu Alao moved to the fledgling air force. Banjo had earlier been appointed as the first Nigerian commander of the Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army. That appointment was to be his passport to hell. On January 17, 1966, two days after Ironsi came to power, Banjo was invited to State House Marina, ostensibly, to meet the new ruler. There he was seized by soldiers, led by Lt. Colonel George Kurobo and Major P.A Anwuna and detained at the Army Officers Mess. He had told his wife and children that he was going to work. He never returned. For some days, he was kept in the comfortable environment of the Army Officers Mess. Then he was transferred to the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Apapa. Banjo felt he had been unfairly treated and he petitioned Ironsi. Ironsi ignored him. Then on July 29, 1966, Ironsi was in Ibadan for a meeting with traditional rulers across the country. After the meeting, Ironsi retired to the Government House, where his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, the young military Governor of the West, treated him to a lavish dinner. That night a group of coup makers, stormed the Government House and kidnapped both Ironsi and Fajuyi. For three days, Nigeria had no government. Then on August 1, 1966, Lt. Colonel Yakubu Jack Gowon, a lanky bachelor of 32, was announced as the new Head of State. Banjo was happy with the development. Gowon was his friend and old mate. He believed he would soon be out of prison. He was wrong. He petitioned Gowon for his freedom, but Gowon ignored him also. Instead, he was moved from Kirikiri Prison to a prison in Eastern Nigeria. When Ojukwu declared Eastern Nigeria as the independent Republic of Biafra, he ordered the release of Banjo and made him the General Officer Commanding a Biafran army division. At the beginning of hostilities, the West and the Mid-West had tried to maintain some neutrality, not allowing troops to be deployed from their territory against Biafra. However, Ojukwu ordered a blitzkrieg against the Mid-West and within 24 hours almost the entire region was occupied. The invasion was led by Colonel Banjo. The mission of Banjo however was beyond Mid-West. He was to lead the Biafran invasion of the West and Lagos and proclaim the independence of Western Nigeria from the Federation. The success of that invasion was to cause serious rift between Ojukwu and his old friend Banjo. Banjo objected seriously to the appointment of an Igbo man, Lt. Colonel Albert Okonkwo, as the Military Governor of the new Republic of Benin. Banjo felt a soldier of Mid-West origin should have been appointed. Ojukwu disagreed. In his letter to Banjo, dated August 22, 1967, Ojukwu had made it clear that he intended to hold on to all the aces. Three points in the letter were especially disagreeable to Banjo: 1.You will have nothing to do with the Military Administrator of the Mid-West territory during your sojourn there prior to your move to the West. 2.During the period of Biafran’s troops presence in your territory, all political measures, statements or decrees, shall be subject to the approval, in writing by myself or on my authority. 3. Should our troops arrive and liberate Lagos, the government of the Republic of Biafra reserves the right to appoint a military administrator for the territory. Ojukwu promised that Banjo would be proclaimed the military governor of the new Republic of Western Nigeria. Banjo believed that such a governor should be a partner and not a subordinate to the Head of State of Biafra. Ojukwu disagreed. Of course, Banjo would not concur that Ojukwu should appoint a military administrator for Lagos. He regarded Lagos as part of the West. The disagreement between the two men was protracted and ultimately costly. Ojukwu insisted on having his way and in the end Colonel Okonkwo was made the Head of State of the new Republic of Benin. The delay in Benin allowed Gowon to rally Federal troops and Colonel Murtala Muhammed led the Second Division to confront Biafran forces at Ore, Ondo State. They were joined by troops from the Ibadan Garrison Command (IGC), led by Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo. The Biafrans were routed and the new Republic of Benin was quickly buried. It is time for Igbo leaders to identify where Banjo was buried and return his body for proper burial in the land of his ancestors. Despite the travails and tragedies that befell him, Banjo stood for principles that only heroes could have espoused in the face of serious personal peril. No true lover of freedom would agree to all those conditions that Ojukwu tried to impose on Banjo. Rather than the lion to carry the hunting bag of the tiger, let each hunter hunt alone. © 2021 Guardian Newspapers.