The Igbo Pan-organization otherwise called Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch weekend threatened to march fire for fire, if the incessant attacks on them and their business empires located in northern Nigeria by the faceless dreaded Islamic sect called Boko Haram group persists. The warning came on the heels of the aftermath of Emab Mall bombing Wednesday June 25, 2014 by this suspected sect that left scores dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed that prompted the Igbo 1 of Abuja, HRH Eze Nwosu Ibe to summon an emergency meeting of his people to ascertain the level of casualties incurred by the Igbos in the said senseless attack.
The group after appraising the modus oparandi of Boko Haram’s execution of their evil deeds came to realize that the targets of these so-called evil men are the Igbos and their business concerns located in the north. They cited the Madalla Roman Catholic Church bombing, Kano Luxurious Bus bombing, Nyanya Bus Terminus bombing and various others on Igbo targets in the region as very clear indications of grand plans by this faceless group and their sponsors to exterminate the Igbo race in Nigeria, warning that it is time to strongly resist these insurgents.
Former governor of old Anambra state and member, National Conference, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife at the meeting warned that the Igbos will no longer fold their hands and watch these evil men continue to slaughter them and destroy their property again. While calling on the federal government for urgent and practical intervention, he recalled the failed Owerri Church bombing and the issue of the 35 buses that was carrying suspected criminals down south who were subsequently apprehended by soldiers in Abia state as clear signs of drums of war against Ndi Igbo by the North.
Chairman of Ohaneze in the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Emeka Mbagha had earlier, while addressing the Eze-in-Council and the mammoth crowd that attended the meeting, advised all Igbos living and doing business up North to leave, warning that the present move by the North using Boko Harm as a yardstick is an indication that Nigeria is no longer one. He reminded the trouble shooters that they should remember that the Igbos came up from nothing after the Biafra/Nigeria civil war to own over 85% of developmental investments in the country, especially in the North and wondered why such ethnic nationality should be so treated. He therefore warned that any more attempt to challenge the Igbos and present government led by President Goodluck Jonathan, that they will use what they have to get what they want as Igbos.
Former UNPP candidate in the past Anambra state governorship election, Chief Anayo Arinze was of the opinion to return fire for fire, lamenting “For how long shall we leave and watch these evil men in the name of Boko Haram kill us and our Christian brothers and sisters in the North? We should rise up to these challenges by marching to the Nigerian Senate to strongly register our protest against these nonsense attacks on us, as our so-called attackers risks possible reprisals.
President-General of Abia state indigenes in the FCT, Engr. Felix Uduma in his remark decried the socio-economic and political imbalances against the Igbos in the country, calling for urgent correction as a people who possesses over 90% of properties in any part of the country. He said, “The Igbos are not in government but we are major supporters of government”. While assessing the Igbo representatives at the National Conference as a failed group, for not have lived up to the bidding of the Igbos, wondered where were their political leaders when Mrs. Uzoma, former Immigration boss and Stella Oduah, immediate past Aviation minister were thrown out of government over nothing. He condemned All Progressives Congress for allowing series of bombings in their controlled states, warning Imo and Rivers States against bringing an alien party to the people of the two regions.
President/Founder, Solid Women Initiative for Development Worldwide, Chief Lady Queen Ezike who owns a shop at Emab Mall equally narrated how she narrowly escaped from the blast few minutes after leaving the premises and advised for serious consciousness of the Igbos anywhere they find themselves, especially those living and doing business in northern Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Association of Igbo Media Practitioners of Nigeria, otherwise Known as Ikoro has condemned the recent Emab Mall bombing, warning that the North should not use Boko Haram as a ploy to forcefully wrestle power from a democratically elected Christian president or seen to be truncating the Goodluck Jonathan administration because he is not a Muslim. The association warned Northern Muslims under which umbrella these insurgents are operating with that further attempt to undermine the Igbos and the southern region and continues with incessant killings of Christians from either North or South will aggressively be resisted. When contacted Thursday July 3, 2014, Deputy Force PRO ACP Frank Mbah who claimed he was in a conference, refused to respond to the text sent to him to ascertain the level of police investigations into the incident, the number of arrests made so far as well as whether there were any more casualties.
In another development, there were rumours on Tuesday that a pupil was given a bomb ridden Cooler to drop at GSS Area 10, Garki but was quickly intercepted by the school security officials. However when National WAVES visited the school to ascertain the true position of the rumor making round, one of the stern-looking security men simply told our correspondent that the Principal was not within the premises for comments. When FCT Police PRO, DSP Hyelhira Altine Daniel was contacted she said she is on annual leave but directed us to DSP Emeka who could not be reached before going to press. Meanwhile security checks at both the school and the popular UTC shopping complex have assumed a different dimension as people going into these places are thoroughly searched to avoid any unforeseen circumstances and vehicles parking around these places have also been strictly streamlined.
By Chris RICHARDS, Abuja
