By Our Correspondent

Following increasing xenophobic violence in South Africa, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, calling on the South African government and the international community to take urgent steps to protect lives and property.

The group, under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu, also urged its members both in Nigeria and across the diaspora to remain committed to the principles of non-violence and lawful conduct in pursuit of its self-determination objectives.

In a statement issued by the National Director of Information, Comrade Edeson Samuel, MASSOB described its members abroad as worthy ambassadors who have continued to uphold the ideals of the movement through responsible conduct and respect for the laws of their host countries.

“Our diaspora members are good ambassadors of Biafra,” the group stated.

MASSOB reiterated that it remains a non-violent self-determination movement and urged members not to deviate from its founding principles
“Members of MASSOB must not relent in maintaining and abiding in our principles of non-violence which MASSOB was known all over the world. We are a non-violence self-determination movement,” the statement read.

The group further claimed that its members have maintained a clean record both within and outside Nigeria.

“MASSOB members have no record of engaging or undertaking in any criminal activity in Nigeria and in diaspora,” it said.

While encouraging members abroad to remain law-abiding and exemplary in their conduct, the organization said it expects them to continue demonstrating what it described as “true Biafranism” through civic responsibility and peaceful coexistence.

MASSOB strongly criticized the attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly those affecting people of Igbo extraction and other Nigerians residing in the country.

“We condemn the xenophobic attack against foreigners in South Africa,” the group said.

“We particularly condemn the killings and destruction of lives and properties of the indigenous people of Biafra living in South Africa as Nigerian citizens.”

The movement called on international bodies and human rights organizations to intervene and halt what it described as persistent xenophobic actions against foreign residents.

“We call on the international community and Human Rights Organizations to intervene and stop the government of South Africa-sponsored xenophobia against foreign residents,” the statement added.

MASSOB also commended some of its members and coordinators in Australia and Europe for what it described as exemplary conduct and adherence to the laws of their host countries.

The group specifically praised individuals including Comrade Victory Chime, Ofido Vitus Obumnene, Chidolue Pascal Ejikeme, Nnaemeka Nweze, and other coordinators in Australia for their contributions and civic behaviour.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, MASSOB maintained that its members would continue to uphold non-violence despite what it described as repeated provocations and harassment.

“MASSOB members shall continue to maintain and abide in our principles of non-violence even in the face of provocation and frequent attacks and hunting of our members by Nigerian security agencies,” the statement concluded.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Sagbama Branch, Barr. Ogheneochuko J. Sampson has thrown his weight behind the call establishment of special courts for the quick prosecution of cases involving kidnapping and Banditary.

He however said though the call by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is a welcome development, he doubts f the States and the Federal Government will key into such ideas due to the needed logistics including the employment of new judges, building of courts and funding.

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Sagbama Branch, Barr. Ogheneochuko J. Sampson, made this known in a chat with newsmen at the State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the upcoming 2026 Law Week organised by the NBA Sagbama Branch with the theme TRUE JUSTICE : The need for institutional and Individual Accountability in Safe Guarding Democracy slated for between June 21st to 28th June,2026.

Barr. Sampson, said ” the proposed idea for the advocate of special courts for the quick prosecution of cases involving kidnapping and Banditary is a good development, just like electoral matters are handled. This courts should be replicated in all the states of the federation.”

“However, the problem is not just creating the courts. Are the politicians ready to fund those courts? Are they ready to employ more judges? Infrastructure must also be provided.”

He however stated that the issue of tackling insecurity goes beyond creating special courts only, “The issue of insecurity still goes back to the executive arm of government. What are governments doing with their security budgets? How did these criminals come into possession of these firearms? These are questions that need to be answered and checked.” He stated.

Ogheneochuko, whose tenure as the Chairman of NBA Sagbama Branch is coming close to an end, rated the relationship between the Judiciary and Executive arms of Government in Bayelsà State High, ascribing the excellent delivery of justice in the state to improved judicial infrastructures and road development by the present administration of Gov. Douye Diri.

According to him, the administration of Gov. Douye Diri has encouraged quick and effective dispensation of justice even to the Local Government and state levels, “I can proudly tell you that the Bayelsa State judiciary is one of the best in Nigeria when it comes to infrastructure. I want to thank the executive government of Governor Douye Diri.”

“If you go around the local government areas, you will see some of the best courtroom infrastructure you can find in Nigeria.Before now, this is part of the reason judges sit in Yenagoa instead of some local government areas and largely because of security concerns.”

” Then for a judge to travel by sea to Brass, for example, it is not only expensive but also raises security issues. However, with the ongoing road project to Nembe-Brass, there is hope for improved access to justice. Access to Justice in Ekeremor,Sagbama and others have improved tremendously.”

“If I want to give a score to judicial performance in the state, I will give Bayelsa State 80 per cent. To be fair,the judges are really trying, and the justice system is moving positively. We are getting to a point where we can beat our chests about our progress.The justice system in Bayelsa State is lovely, and we have a wonderful relationship between the bar and the bench.”

By Our Correspondent

Sequel to indications that the Federal Government is set to release the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB)leader,Nnamdi Kanu from Sokoto Prison,the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of the Leader of IPOB and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both previously occupied by Nnamdi Kanu, pending further directives.

The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of the Directorate of State, Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, who said the action was taken in what the group described as the broader interest of the movement and its members worldwide.

This comes hours after Kanu had announced the dissolution of the 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State, DOS, of the organisation.

Pursuant to his declared authority, Kanu reportedly inaugurated a 4th Administration of the DOS and appointed US-based Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ as the new Head of the Directorate of State.

According to a statement from spokesperson Emma Powerful, Nwaọgụ was tasked with assuming immediate responsibility for the administration, coordination, and day-to-day management of IPOB affairs under Kanu’s direct authority.

However, in what appears to be a counter move, Edoziem said Kanu’s suspension was aimed at protecting IPOB’s operations, safeguarding members in Biafraland and the Diaspora, and preventing possible security threats or emergencies within the region.

“Considering the enormous responsibility placed upon the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra to safeguard our operations and mission, protect IPOB family members worldwide, especially those in Biafraland, and prevent any security breach or emergency in Biafraland, the Directorate of State of IPOB has suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the position of Director of Radio Biafra previously held by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu until further notice,” the statement read in part.

The Directorate explained that the move was intended to prevent unauthorised persons or groups from allegedly using the suspended office as a basis to engage in criminal activities or actions inconsistent with the objectives of the movement.

The group stated that the measure was also aimed at curbing what it described as reckless conduct, unauthorised assumptions of authority and statements capable of endangering members of the organisation.

According to the DOS, IPOB would no longer take responsibility for actions carried out by individuals or groups not officially authorised to act on behalf of the organisation.

The statement added that the decision followed resolutions reached during a full meeting of the Directorate held on June 17, 2026, where members agreed that the suspension was necessary to strengthen and reposition the movement.

The Directorate maintained that IPOB remains a self-determination movement founded and sustained collectively by Biafrans in the Diaspora and not by any single individual.

It further insisted that no individual possesses the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which it described as the highest decision-making body overseeing the affairs of the movement.

The group therefore declared that any attempt to dissolve the Directorate of State was “ab initio null and void” and should be disregarded by members and the public.

The DOS cited several factors behind the decision, including intelligence reports alleging meetings involving security agencies and Kanu, concerns over communications said to have exposed members to arrests and fatalities, and fears surrounding alleged plans to create another armed group in the region.

The statement alleged that intelligence reports from the IPOB M-Branch indicated that meetings were held between operatives of the Department of State Services, officials of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency and Kanu at Sokoto Prison.

It further claimed that certain communications linked to the detained IPOB leader had allegedly contributed to the arrest and deaths of some members in Biafraland.

The Directorate also expressed concern over alleged plans by unnamed individuals to establish a new militia that could trigger renewed violence in the South-East.

Despite the development, the group reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful and non-violent struggle for self-determination.

“We affirm that the pursuit of our inalienable right to self-determination is peaceful and non-violent and must never become a basis for causing harm, hardship or death to the very people we seek to liberate,” the statement added.

The Directorate concluded that the indefinite suspension of the Office of the Leader was taken as part of efforts to preserve the integrity and objectives of the movement pending further review