Ohanaeze condemns ethnic profiling, urges Buhari to prosecute attackers of Igbo in Lagos
The Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to bring to book all those who played roles in the destruction of Igbo properties in Lagos State.
Condemning the spate of ‘’ethnic profiling” of the Igbos in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, the Council reminded Nigerians and the relevant authorities that the events were similar to what triggered the 30-month civil war that claimed the lives of millions of Nigerians.
The elders, in a communique issued at the end of its emergency virtual meeting, held on Wednesday April 5, which was made available to journalists in Enugu, on Thursday, had in attendance members from Nigeria, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy, and other parts of the world.
It directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo in collaboration with the council to set up a Committee of Enquiry to carry out a full investigation into the destruction of properties and assets of Ndigbo in Lagos.
It also set up an emergency telephone line where the Igbos in Lagos, could make reports in case of any attack.
The communique was signed by the Chairman, Council of Elders in Nigeria, Chief Emmanuel C. Iwuanyanwu; Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; Chief Simon N. Okeke, Nigeria; Elder Adolphus Umunnakwe Agbasonu, Europe; Mazi Ignatius Muotoh, Europe; Prof. Godfrey Ajoku, USA; Chief Kingsley Obaji, USA and National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
According to the resolution, the emergency council meeting was convened to review the ‘’Igbos’ painful and agonising experiences in Lagos” during the recent general election.
The communique partly read: “These unpatriotic Nigerians destroyed properties belonging to the Igbo. For example, a whole market was burnt. The information available reveals that they are still threatening the lives of the Igbo and their properties in Lagos State.
“The Elders, at this meeting, critically reviewed the Igbo experiences in Nigeria and unanimously agreed that the Igbo, since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, have remained committed towards peace.
