The President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has condemned the killing of security personnel and subsequent burning of houses and properties belonging to residents by soldiers.
While describing both incidents as unacceptable, the Ohanaeze President General, however, called on the Nigerian Government and military authorities to fish out those involved in the attacks.
Chief Iwuanyanwu in a statement he signed statement made available to journalists in Enugu, decried the bloodletting in Igbo land, perpetuated by both state and non-state actors, making the region a killing field.
He said, “My heart bleeds at the sad events in Igbo land where Igbos are for the first time, killing fellow Igbos. I am equally very distressed by the rate at which the Nigerian security operatives are killed not only in Igboland but all over the country.
“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.”
The President General unequivocally stated that both actions are neither acceptable to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide nor acceptable to all honest and patriotic Nigerians.
“I condemn it in strong terms,” he said, adding that he was sending a team under the chairmanship of Barrister CJ Ihemedu, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Imo State chapter) to assess the situation and provide him with a comprehensive report on the matter.
“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,” he said.
He stated that similar incidents had occurred in all the states of Southeast. “As at now, there seems to be no solution as the matter is even getting worse.”
He added, “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 businessmen 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.”