Police Begins Search for Youths Who Signed Igbo Quit Notice as Ohanaeze Calls for Vigilance
The Kaduna state command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has begun a manhunt for some northern youths who purportedly signed what they termed an Igbo quit notice under the banner of the Kaduna Declaration.
The supposed Igbo quit notice had drawn nationwide attention in the light of recent protests by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and allied groups demanding the secession of Biafra: a new nation to be carved largely from the eastern part of Nigeria.
In the quit notice, the Kaduna Declaration had mandated all persons of Igbo extraction to leave the northern region by 1st October 2016. The call was immediately condemned by the Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai and the presidency.
The Kaduna police command on Wednesday stated that it was set to act on the governor’s directive to ensure the arrest of persons behind the declaration. Police spokesman, CSP Moshood Jimoh stated that every Nigerian has a right to live anywhere in the country as enshrined in the constitution.
Jimoh added: “Kaduna state government has reacted promptly to the issue. We are also using this opportunity to warn anybody that wants to foment trouble to beware because we will deal decisively with such group or persons.”
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, deemed to be the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation for people from the South-East, has called on all Igbos resident in the northern region to remain calm but vigilant.
The group described the statement by the Hausa youths as regrettable and urged security agencies to take necessary steps to protect lives and property.
A portion of the statement signed by Chukwudi Ibegbu, national deputy publicity secretary of the group read: “This invidious act has no doubt sent shock wave over the country. The President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Nnia Nwodo call on Ndigbo all over the North to remain calm but vigilant.”
Vanguard reports that Nwodo has also vowed not react to the statement made by the Hausa youths until the northern elders speak on the matter.
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