An Igbo group, under the aegis of Coalition of South-East Professional Network in Nigeria and Diaspora (CSEPNND), has condemned attacks launched on the Imo State Police Command’s headquarters in Owerri, the Correctional Centre headquarters in the state, public property as well as security personnel in the state by some criminal elements.
The group, which fingered the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the act, tasked security agencies to immediately swing into action with a view not only to fish out the perpetrators but also their sponsors to face the law of the land.
In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja Tuesday, signed by its National President, Prof. Madumere Chika, CSEPNND alleged that “this dastardly act is political and well calculated to make Imo State in particular and South East in general, ungovernable.”
The statement reads: “We condemn in totality the barbaric attack on Imo State Police Command’s headquarters in Owerri, Nigeria Correctional Centre headquarters, the military and some security agencies as well as government properties by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This is not only cowardly but also uncivilized and strange to the culture of the Igbo people.
“This madness supposedly coming from an outlawed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) must be stopped immediately before the whole world starts seeing us as enemies of progress and anti-government. We are aware that this dastardly act is political and well calculated to make Imo State in particular and South East in general, ungovernable.
“We, therefore, appeal to all Igbo sons and daughters of good will to immediately rise up to stop this madness before it consumes all of us. If we allow these criminals to weaken our security agencies in the South East, they will revert to us and make the state more ungovernable for all the citizens.
“For some of our elites who are funding these criminals, we wish to passionately appeal to them to desist forthwith. No matter the political differences, we must know that Imo State belongs to us all and if we destroy it today because of politics, we will be the first victims.”
They added: “We register our utmost displeasure with those trusted with the security of lives and property in Nigeria especially the newly appointed service chiefs. We feel they are not up and doing despite the high expectations that greeted their appointments.
“We naturally expected that by now, they would have made impact in the security situation of the country since their appointments, but unfortunately, it’s rather deteriorating on the daily basis. The security agencies are losing grip in the South East and this is not good for our country.
“The service chiefs must pay necessary attention to the South East immediately before it degenerates into full blown war. The era of I-don’t-care-attitude by whoever must be put aside. They should wake up to their responsibilities and take decisive action when necessary.”
