NewsBits
The highest Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has appealed to the President Bola Ahmed-led Federal Government to quickly put in place necessary security measures to prevent the wanton killings and violence going on in Imo State and in Southeast generally.
Also, Ohanaeze declared that insecurity is overwhelming the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made the appeal in view of the brutal murder of security agents and innocent citizens by gunmen in Imo State.
NewsBits recalls that at least five security personnel were gruesomely killed by the assailants on Tuesday morning in Umualumaku community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state. Commenting on the ugly and heinous incident, Chief Iwuanyanwu called on the Federal Government and relevant security agents to leave no stone unturned in finding the killers and bring them to book.
In a statement which he personally signed, the Igbo leader stated: “My heart bleeds at the sad events in Igbo land where Igbos are for the first time, killing fellow Igbos.
“I call on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime and make sure they face the law. I also urge the Federal Government to put in place necessary security measures to forestall the reoccurrence of this sad event. Similar incidents have occurred in all the states of Southeast. As at now there seems to be no solution as the matter is even getting worse.”
The Ohanaeze PG noted that he had been very distressed by the rate at which the Nigerian security operatives are killed not only in Igboland but all over the country. He said: “Worse still is the suspected reprisal attack where innocent Igbo Sons and Daughters from Mbano in Imo State have found their lives and means of livelihood completely destroyed.
“This situation is completely unacceptable to me. It is unacceptable to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and indeed unacceptable to all honest, right thinking and patriotic Nigerians. I condemn it in strong terms.”
Chief Iwuanyanwu also said that he demanded a detailed report of the incident from the President of Ohanaeze Imo state branch. He stated: “I am sending a team immediately under the Chairmanship of Barrister CJ Ihemedu the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo State Chapter to give me a comprehensive report on the matter.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is right now undertaking a total transformation of Igbo land. By this transformation, more job opportunities will be created in Igboland for school leavers; and infrastructure for business men and women.
“Meanwhile, I wish on behalf of all Igbos worldwide, to express our deep sympathy to the families of the security men who were gruesomely murdered. We also sympathise with our people in Mbano Imo state whose shops and houses were destroyed during the reprisal attack.
“I pray the Almighty God to take control of events in Igbo land so that we will once more enjoy peace, happiness and prosperity in our land.”
