Igbo can’t afford another civil war, says Ohaneze
From Chuks Onuoha and Prisca Igboecheonwu, Umuahia, Tunde Omolehin,Sokoto, Romanus Ugwu, Abuja, Billy Graham-Abel, Yola
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, declared that the nation would only grow and prosper in an atmosphere of peace.
Idris, who spoke at an interactive session with traditional rulers and members of Hausa and Yoruba communities at the Okpara Auditorium after a courtesy visit on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, assured that the police would do everything to sustain peace in the country.
According to Idris whose entourage included the Assistant inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 9, Umuahia, Hosea Karma, the state Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi and his Imo state counterpart, Chris Ezike and other top ranking officers, “we owe it a duty that we remain united and grow stronger.
“I believe that Nigeria will grow stronger and I have faith in the unity of this country.”
He noted that every part of Nigeria has its strength, which could be harnessed together to build a strong united nation.
The IGP who was in Abia to monitor the activities of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stressed the need for Nigeria to remain one, as it is populated by citizens with special attributes of vibrancy, initiative and strength.
He said during his journey from Owerri to Umuahia, he saw happiness on faces of people, an indication that the storm was over. He noted that despite the crisis occasioned by the secessionist agitations and the attendant tension generated by the clampdown by troops of the Operation Python Dance, Nigeria would overcome the stress.
He lauded governor Ikpeazu for the measures he has put in place to arrest the degenerating security situation.
The Abia governor said Abia was a peaceful state and would remain so despite the ugly incidents of the past week, adding, “we reaffirm our faith in one Nigeria.”
While commending the IGP for coming to Abia on solidarity because “the security of Nigerians from Lake Chad basin to the banks of the Atlantic Ocean is very important,” Ikpeazu urged Abians to direct their efforts towards building a peaceful society.
He assured that non-indigenes would always be protected and accorded their rightful place in the state. “We will continue to harbor our brothers (from other parts of Nigeria) and to be our brothers’ keeper (as) we walk gradually to the Nigeria of our dream where peace, unity, justice and fairness would reign.”
Both Leaders of Hausa and Yoruba communities in Abia, Alhaji Yaro Danladi, the Sarkin Hausa and the President of Yoruba United, Abiola Taiye commended Ikpeazu for giving them protection during the crisis.
As part of ongoing peace shuttle, a delegation of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze, were in Sokoto and Kano states yesterday, where they said the country should not be allowed to undergo a civil war for the second time. It urged Nigerians to promote virtues of peace and tolerance among themselves so as to enhance the unity of the country.
The visits were in reciprocation of the peace mission by northern governors who during the week sent a delegation of five of their members to some states in the South-East and South-South regions.
Speaking in Sokoto, President-General, John Nwodo, said although the nation is facing challenging times, the cohesion that existed over the years was worthy of being maintained.
“Yes, our country is facing a trying period, but we should not, under any circumstance allow the experience of another civil war to happen again. We should not allow personal emotions to undermine our national unity,” he declared.
Nwodo, who said the visit of his group was at the instance of governors of the region, assured of Ohanaeze’s cooperation for peaceful coexistence among the ethnic nationalities in the country.
He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, who “in the ongoing ethnic tensions, portrayed himself as a father by stating recently that whoever wants to attack the Igbos, should attack him first. In the same vein, I came with the assurances of South-East governors that any Igbo who wants to kill a northerner should first kill them,” Nwodo said.
Governor Tambuwal said Nigeria was blessed with many ethnic groups and languages, which he said should be used to promote unity, not division. “I assure you that we are at peace with each other here in Sokoto and we shall continue to be,” Tambuwal said.
The Ndigbo group is expected to visit other northern states including Kano and Adamawa states in continuation of its peace mission.
Also, leader of Igbo community in Adamawa State have called on Igbo to remain calm and law abiding in their dealings. Addressing journalists in Yola, leader of Igbo Cultural Association, Chief Fidelis Umeh called on Ndigbo to go about their businesses without fear.
He applauded Governor Muhammed Umaru Jibrilla for his stance on the quit notice issued to Igbo to relocate from the north. He said the governor has reassured the Igbo community of government’s readiness and commitment in ensuring the safety of lives and property of all citizens at all time. He also thanked the security operatives in the state for maintaining However, Northern Elders Forum (NEF) warned that the unprovoked attacks against Northerners in the South-East and South-South would be a threat to the entire country.
Leader of the Forum, Dr. Paul Unongo, who gave the warning at a news conference in Abuja, yesterday, also urged the Federal Government to constitute an investigate panel to unravel the increasing cases of importation of arms and ammunition into the country and prosecute those behind them.
“The NEF hereby reiterates that responsible governance and the rule of law are the fundamental prerequisite for the realisation of peaceful and prosperous societies, as well as the protection of human rights and dignity.” states from where killings and recent atrocities were perpetrated against northerners.”
On the ongoing agitations manifested in various shades and guises, which have led to the recent unprovoked attacks and killings of Northerners, the NEF recognises the duty of responsible governments anywhere in the world to protect and defend the lives and property of its citizens under all circumstances. “It is in this connection that the NEF commends the readiness and willingness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all necessary measures that are permitted under the law and by the Constitution of the land to check all these existential threats to Nigeria.
“Protecting the lives of all abiding citizens of Nigeria and to bringing to book any and all group that threaten national security, is a sacred duty of government. The NEF also welcomes the presence of the Nigeria’s military and other security personnel, in all areas where the country where peace and security are severely threatened. “The President and Commander-in-Chief has the prerogative of deploying the Armed Forces for the purpose of keeping the peace. This prerogative should be respected by all well- meaning Nigerians.
“The NEF welcomes and commends the decision taken by the South-East Governors to denounce the activities of the organization known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its proscription in their respective States. “In the interest of peace, unity and stability of our great country and the wellbeing of her people, we hereby call upon the Attorney-General of the Federation and the relevant judicial authorities to continue to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.
“We state that, we will remain vigilant over the security and welfare of Northerners in the South-East, South-South and all over Nigeria.
The North has been a victim of terrorism over the years and recognizes the outline of an emerging terrorism now emerging in the South-East.
“It will NOT sit idly and watch the nation sink into chaos under new and additional threats. It is in this regard that we strongly support the Federal Government official proclamation, proscribing IPOB and its activities throughout the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “We wish to reiterate our consistent position that there are no issues of disagreement and demands by individuals and groups in the country or anywhere in the world that dialogue cannot resolve. The NEF acknowledges that we the citizens of Nigeria are capable of resolving our issues internally.
“The North recognizes and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the current operations of the Nigerian State. The North has very clear ideas on all issues and positions that the nation sees as challenges and is willing to dialogue on all of them.
“What the North will not allow, however, is to be stampeded into adopting an agenda and grand designs from other parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests. The North will demand a respectful and responsible approach to its participation in the search for answers to the many questions confronting our country.
“We will also insist that the Constitution and our national institutions, such as the National Assembly be accorded due and appropriate recognition in all initiatives and efforts towards addressing our challenges.
“The alarming repots of illegal importation of huge quantities of arms into the country is disconcerting to the NEF. We call on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate these reports and all those found implicated should be exposed and be prosecuted under the laws of the nation-state of Nigeria.
“All governments and citizens must be more vigilant, firm and decisive in dealing with national security challenges. All governments, from local, state and federal, must protect all Nigerians,” the Forum noted
