*Calls for well-equipped vigilante group
*We’ve established joint security-Govs
*Ohanaeze vows to protect Igbo
From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
A coalition of pan-Igbo civil and cultural organisations, on Sunday, raised the alarm of dangers facing Igbo land in today’s Nigeria, even as South east governors yesterday claimed that they have established a security outfit for the region.
In a statement signed by the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) and 19 other groups, the attention of the Igbo was drawn to the various threats to the corporate existence of people.
As a solution, they called for the enactment of an enabling Security Law, particularly the Anti-Open Grazing Bill which, they said, has been submitted to the state Houses of Assembly in the south east.
The groups also called for the setting up and equipping of the necessary Security Structures including Community Vigilantes.
“We also hereby call on all our various communities and citizens to support their local Vigilantes organizations with all that are needed to make them effectively functional”, they further suggested.
Parts of the message reads: “We, the undersigned, representing various interests and organizations in Alaigbo, on behalf of our People and our land, send you this Distress Message.
“That our ancestral homes are under siege! Our Lives are being wasted! Alaigbo has been invaded! We must rise up and defend our Homeland!!”
It alerted that the situation in Nigeria today is one of the worst security challenges in human history, saying, “for us in Alaigbo, the situation is more critical than the one we faced during the Biafra war.’’
It also observed that there “does not seem to be anyone in charge to whom the people can look up to for their protection or the government in power is in collusion with the forces responsible for the state of generalized anarchy in the land.’’
It also called on the people to take full responsibility for the protection of themselves, their families and their property, insisting that “our land has been invaded.
“We must stop mystifying the issue of security. When the enemy attacks us and our families; when he goes into our farm to destroy our crops, or forcefully enters our homes to seize the little foods we have for our children. Should we just sit there and do nothing? Should we fold our hands, sit there until General Buhari or any Federal or State Authority comes to our rescue,” it queried.
The coalition called on the state Houses of Assembly in the South east to urgently enact the anti-open grazing Law that will enforce the protection of “our farms and crops and prevent famine in our land.”
It also recommended that legislative backing should be extended to Communities Vigilantes while also equipping them with security apparatus for effective operation in all communities.
While lending its support for setting up of state police, the coalition, however noted that such initiative should be under full control of respective zonal and state governments.
The pan Igbo Coalition also commended the ‘bold security initiatives by our Neighbors in other parts of the Federation – the Yoruba, the Tiv, the Junkun, etc, to protect themselves and their Ancestral lands’.
The statement was signed by the under listed representing various groups in the south east:
1. Prof. UzodinmaNwalaAlaigbo Development Foundation (ADF).
2. Prof. ElochukwuAmuchazi Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT)
3. Nze Fidelis OzichukwuIgbon Town Unions (ITU)
4. His Grace Bar Chris Ede Christian Council of Nigeria, Enugu.rjt31z
5. Bishop GoddyOkafor Christian Council of Nigeria SE.
6. Mr NgoziOdumukoNzukoUmunna
7. Mr Tony Nnadi Lower Niger Congress (LNC)
8. Bar EmekaUmeagbalasi Inter-Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law
9. Bar Alloy Ejimakor Counsel for IPOB
10. Barr Max Ozoaka South-East Lawyers Forum
11. Engr Anthony Aniebue Peoples Restoration Movement (PRM)
12. EmekaEmekesiri MOBIN
13. Dr J. C. Chukuokolo South-East based Coalition of Human Rights and Democracy Organizations.(SBCHROS)
14. Ndubisi V. Anaenugwu BVI
15. Engr Ike Iwendu Assoc. of SE Presidents- General.
16. Mrs Maria Okwo Igbo Women Assembly (IWA)
17. Pastor Dr OkeyAnoruo Assoc. of Imo Town Unions
18. ComrUchennaMadu MASSOB
19. Mr Okey Orji Coalition of Pro-Biafra Organizations.
20. Ms Ola N. Uchendu Sons and Daughters of Alaigbo
South East has established joint security, says Umahi
Meanwhile, against expectations and rumours of establishing a joint security system to curb the rising insecurity waves in the South East zone, just as the South West which established ‘Amotekun’, the Governors of the South East zone yesterday said they are the first to do that and is working out an approval by the federal government.
The chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Chief Dave Umahi dropped this hints while briefing news men on the outcome of their meeting held in Enugu, yesterday.
His words, ”The South East governors has formed their own South East joint security outfit in July 18,2019 and inaugurated the committee on Joint security on the ,31st of August,2019′
“Forum took briefing from the chairman of South East joint security committee and are satisfied with all the arrangement that will lead to a South East houses of assembly to enact a law that will back up the South East Security programme with a name to the outfit.”
“Forum had written the Federal government in that respect and at the appropriate time, we shall invite the federal government to note the details of our joint security programme.”
The forum used the opportunity to express gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the on-going rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam international airport as well as the 2nd Niger bridge ,the Enugu to Port Harcourt express road, among others.
Ohanaeze vows to protect Igbos
Also, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo after its meeting with Igbo stakeholders resolved to protect Ndigbo against rising insecurity in the country in as much as every Nigerian living in the South East zone will be protected.
The President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Nnia Nwodo dropped the hint during a closed door crucial meeting with Igbo leaders held at Nike lake hotel ltd Enugu.
