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The Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, has reacted to the viral photos and videos of the killing and inhuman treatment of Igbo youths in Rivers community allegedly by security operatives.
The Ohanaeze blamed the crisis on the ‘provocative statement’ made by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as well as the “misdemeanour of some rampaging youths of both the South-South and South-East origin”.
In a statement titled ‘The degenerating situation in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt’, Chief Nnia Nwodo, President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, lamented that the situation was threatening the cordial relationship that exist between the Igbo and Rivers State as well as the entire South-South.
Nwodo, however, assured peaceful Igbos whose livelihood were threatened by the development that help wason the way, adding that “Igbo leaders will never abandon them”.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide is seriously disturbed about the degenerating situation in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” the statement read.
“The misdemeanour of some rampaging youths of both the South-South and South-East origin, and the inciting, mindless and provocative statement that was made from abroad by the leader of IPOB, which inflamed passions on all sides, has landed us in a regrettable situation.
“Pictures on the social media portray very inhuman and degrading treatment meted to innocent Igbo in Oyigbo.
“Ohaneze regrets that the friendly and cordial relationship, which existed between the Igbo and our kit and kin in Rivers State is threatened by this development.
“So also is the threat to our solidarity with PANDEF and the entire people of the South-South region of Nigeria.
“We are in consultation with the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Dave Umahi, who has kindly volunteered to arrange a meeting between us, Igbo leaders, and the Governor of Rivers State to arrest further drift of this dangerous development.
“Innocent Igbo in Rivers State, who are caught in between this sad development and whose lives and livelihood are threatened by it are assured that help is on the way and that Igbo leaders will never abandon them.”
