ICA Laments Intimidation of Ndigbo in the North

 

 

By Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

 

Igbo leaders have frowned against the intimidation meted out against its people across northern Nigeria, saying that the humility and non-aggressive nature of its people should not be taken for an act of cowardice.

Speaking yesterday at a press briefing in Jos, during the Igbo Day celebration, the President General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA), Barrister Innocent Asogwa noted that Ndigbo should be given conducive atmosphere to continue to carry out their lawful business activities, adding that such was not too much to ask for.

He said, “Ndigbo in Plateau state as law-abiding citizens should be given conducive and favourable atmosphere to continue to carry out their lawful businesses and to participate in the development of the state.

“The protection of lives and properties of Ndigbo must be guaranteed and defended by security agents against all forms of unwarranted and unprovoked threats and aggression. The humility and non-aggressive nature of our people should not be interpreted as acts of cowardice; our people should not be provoked or molested any further.”

Asogwa said that the ICA will ensure that it resists further killings of the Igbo and destruction of their properties in the state, observing that the Igbo in the state have lost their loved ones and their properties to unwarranted violent eruptions in the state without compensation.

“Anytime there is crisis in the state, our people are always at the receiving end even when the Igbo have nothing to do with the crises; our members have been killed and their properties destroyed in the past, and we will no longer tolerate that. We have always suffered 80 percent lost in Plateau once there is a breakdown of law and order, and we have vowed to start defending ourselves because we are not cowards”.

While urging all members to remain peaceful and cooperate with their host communities and other ethnic nationalities, ICA President called on the Igbo community to go about with their lawful and legitimate businesses and to desist from any act or business that are prohibited by law and other regulations which will tarnish the image of the group.