OHANAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS CONDEMNS IPOB THREAT TO DISRUPT THE CITY, FILES BEHIND LAGOS POLICE COMMAND *Chief Ozonwoke praises Sanwo-olu for rekindling cordiality, trust in Ndigbos
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Everest Ozonweke
Against the background of the intelligence report announced yesterday by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu that the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and another 24 Yoruba groups have threatened to attack the state, the Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Everest Ozonweke has released a press statement condemning in its entirety such devious intention. The press statement released to Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper disclosed in clear terms that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos condemns any act that may lead to breach of peace and order in Lagos state.
Reacting to CP Odumosu’s announcement, the Igbo sociocultural organization affirmed: ‘Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo through this medium, condemns in its entirety, any act that can lead to breach of peace and order in Lagos state. Lagos has the highest concentration of Ndi Igbo outside Igbo land and we have so much at stake in Lagos, to consider any form of violence. Indeed, Lagos is the second home of Ndi Igbo outside Igbo land as can be seen in our investments and conduct.’
CP Hakeem Odumosu
Chief Ozonweke continued: ‘Ndi Igbo are not violent in nature, neither are we known with acts of violence anywhere. Any act capable of tampering with the harmonious peace in Lagos state is unacceptable to Ndi Igbo. Ndi Igbo will join our hosts to resist it by all means. Any group or persons nursing any devilish idea that is intended to unsettle Lagos will have Ndi Igbo to contend with. Our primordial concept while on any sojourn is to leave a place better than we met it, hence the Igbo adage “ebe onye bi ka o’na awachi”. Ndi Igbo are builders whose operations in Lagos has stood the test of time and earned the trust that exist between Ndigbo and our hosts today. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos through this medium reiterates total support to anything that will keep Lagos from any form of violence and lawlessness. The Government and good people of Lagos through the very hospitable Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rekindled cordiality and trust between Ndi Igbo and our hosts communities in Lagos State.’
Chief Chief Everest Ozonweke
Praising the Lagos State Police Command leadership for the timely intelligence, the statement noted: ‘We commend the security agencies in Lagos state for their alertness and capabilities in protecting the lives and properties of Lagosians. We request for proper and detailed investigation of this alarm to unraval those behind the satanic act to avoid distractions in the spirited effort to keep Lagos safe.
However, we suspect that the rumor may be intended to cause distraction in the commitment of government for a crime-free Lagos and it’s a weak strategy to cause disaffection amongst Ndigbo and our host community in Lagos’. We must do everything humanly possible to avoid pointing of accusing fingers to the innocent and putting them in harm’s way through fictitious allegations.
The intelligence report of the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Hakeem Odumosu had pointed that insecurity is being brewed by some criminal elements including the IPOB. The report noted ‘Aside from IPOB, furthermore, the Command has taken notice of agitators for Oodua Republic by some Yoruba separatist groups and the threats to disrupt law and order in State. Twenty four of these groups have been identified and being closely monitored.’
The Police Command has put the threats under close monitoring. ‘The threat of IPOB to attack soft targets in Lagos is equally being put on the radar of the Command intelligence gathering and other security services in the State. Strategies are being put in place to neutralize their activities’ reiterated CP Odumosu at a security stakeholders’ meeting organised by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and attended by traditional rulers and others on Monday.
