Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has expressed outrage over the reported threats against Ndigbo in Lagos and other South-West states.
Social media trends under the hashtag #IgboMustGo on X are calling for the forced relocation of Igbo people from Lagos and other South-West states.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has also responded to these threats, stating that they are not only divisive but also jeopardize peace and security.
In a statement released on Thursday night, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, warned that any attack on Ndigbo anywhere in the country would have severe consequences.
Okwu, in the statement titled ‘Enough is Enough,’ vowed that Ndigbo would retaliate appropriately should they face any attacks.
He mentioned that the people of the South-East have remained silent for too long, leading to repeated unprovoked attacks on the Igbo people elsewhere in the country.
“We want to unequivocally declare today that Ndigbo are not cowards; our forefathers were not cowards; they were brave and so are we.
“We warn those fanning these embers of discord not to mistake the calmness of the lion for weakness; we are not afraid and should not be pushed to the wall by faceless miscreants.
“Any attack on Ndigbo by anybody will be met with unimaginable retaliation. We are not second-class citizens of this country. No one is more Nigerian than the Igbos.
“For decades now, Ndigbo have borne the brunt of every crisis in this country; they have paid the price for every upheaval in the country.
“This is one of the major reasons we decided not to be part of the hardship protest or whatever it was called. We knew that if we joined, it would be labeled an Igbo protest.
“Yet, the same enemies of Ndigbo, the same people who are lurking for the blood of the Igbo people are unrelenting.
“However, we want to sound this note of warning to them: ‘Enough is Enough.’ Any attempt to spill the blood of an Igbo man or destroy their businesses and properties will be met with equal retaliation.
“Those threats will be resisted; henceforth any attack on any Igbo man anywhere in the mentioned areas must be met with the utmost seriousness.
“We are one of the cardinal pillars of this country, so nobody should threaten the Igbo in this country any longer.
“We call on Ndigbo not to be afraid to reside anywhere of their choice in the country and conduct their businesses; they should disregard the empty threats from those who seek to ignite conflict.”
The Ohanaeze Youth President urged security agencies to promptly arrest those responsible for what he termed “genocidal threats against Ndigbo.”
“Should the security agents fail to arrest the perpetrators and instigators of war in Nigeria, we will have no choice but to believe they are part of the plan.
“We also call on the Federal Government to address this issue publicly; it should not be ignored.
“The Nigerian Government must take swift action to arrest those behind this genocidal plot.
“To restore public confidence, the government should apprehend and prosecute all individuals making inflammatory statements on X, inciting Nigerians against each other,” Okwu stated.
Okwu reaffirmed his call for Ndigbo to avoid participating in the ongoing protest, reiterating his support for President Bola Tinubu’s government and acknowledging the progress made with the South East Development Commission.
“We reiterate our support for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government.
“Once again, we thank him for the South East Development Commission, which should have been established after the war to handle the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction efforts.
“We will continue to advocate for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, additional states to match other regions, and correct imbalances in appointments to reflect federal character principles,” he concluded.
