Politics
… calls on Sanwo-Olu to protect Igbo in Lagos as chief security officer of the State
By Anthony Isibor
THE Ohanaeze Ndigbo has directed Ambassador Okey Emuchay, secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in association with Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up an enquiry to carry out full investigation into the killings and destruction of properties and assets of Ndigbos in Lagos.
The group made this known in a communiqué issued after a virtual meeting of its Council of Elders both from Nigeria, USA, UK, Italy and other parts of the world, held on Wednesday, March 22, to review the painful and agonising experiences of Igbo in Lagos during the recent Nigerian general rlection.
According to the communiqué dated Sunday, March 26, 2023, and signed by Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, chairman, Council of Elders, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, secretary general, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Simon N. Okeke, Adolphus Umunnakwe Agbasonu, Ignatius Muotoh, Prof. Godfrey Ajoku, Kingsley Obaji, and Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, national publicity secretary, the investigation will also include the number of Igbos killed; Number of Igbos injured and hospitalized, number of Igbos permanently incapacitated, and a comprehensive report of Igbo assets and properties destroyed including the burning of market among others.
The Council of Elders also directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up an Emergency Telephone Line where Igbos in Lagos, who are victimized because of their Igbo origin will directly report to.
The Igbo elders noted that during the election, innocent Igbos resident in Lagos, who came out as patriotic Nigerians to cast their votes were assaulted, brutalized and some were reported to have been killed in the process by some miscreants and thugs recruited by some desperate politicians.
“These unpatriotic Nigerians destroyed properties belonging to the Igbo, for example, a whole market was burnt. Information available to us reveal that they are still threatening the lives of Igbo and their properties in Lagos State.”
Parts of its resolution include that:
“Ndigbo will no longer fold their hands and watch their kit and kin humiliated, brutalized and killed.
“We will ensure that all perpetrators of this criminal activity are brought to book and adequate reparation/compensations paid to the victims.
“To formally petition the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR in order to express our sadness and disappointment over this unfortunate development. We also intend to send protest letter to the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to express our feelings.
“High powered Igbo delegation will be sent to Lagos to meet with some Leaders of Lagos State in order to establish a lasting cordial and peaceful relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba in Lagos.” it said
The Elders also called on President Buhari to bring to book all those who played remote and immediate roles in killing, maiming and destroying the properties of the Igbos in Lagos State.
It also appealed to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State hovernor, to use his office as the chief security officer of Lagos State to protect Igbo lives and properties and ensure that the Igbo who are maliciously detained in various police stations are released, while advising the Igbos living in Lagos to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.
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Tags: Adolphus Umunnakwe Agbasonu Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Ignatius Muotoh Kingsley Obaji Ohanaeze Ndigbo Okey Emuchay Prof. Godfrey Ajoku Simon N. Okeke
