BY PRINCELY ONYENWE,IMO
The Board of Trustee members of Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK-the umbrella association for
Igbo Communities in the United Kingdom has issued a communique stating their recommendations and stand on the security situation in the South East Nigeria.
THE COMMUNIQUE READS AS FOLLOWS:
9RINGLET CLOSE, GATESHEAD, UNITED KINGDOM.NE119NF
COMMUNIQUE ON THE SECURITY SITUATION IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA
ISSUED AT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF OGBAKO NDI IGBO UK ON THE 26TH OF FEBRUARY 2021
The Board of Trustee members of Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK-the umbrella association for
Igbo Communities in the United Kingdom, held a meeting on the 26th of February,2021 with the security situation in Igbo land as the main agenda.
Over the past few years, there has been a gradual but sustained erosion of security in Nigeria and particularly in the South East region.
We have seen kidnappings on the
rise as well as incessant vandalization of farmlands of our people by Fulani herdsmen
thereby disrupting farming activities in our various communities across and beyond
the South East region.
Most shocking is the rape of our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters by these
criminal elements with impunity whilst sometimes filming these nefarious acts and
posting them on social media to further denigrate us and aggravate our pain.
These herdsmen who move around freely with AK-47rifles have been reported to use
these fire arms on our defenceless people when challenged during these abhorrent acts thus resulting in loss of lives.
One of the primary responsibilities of any government is to protect lives and properties of citizens.We cannot comprehend how these unlawful and evil acts can possibly go on in perpetuity and remain unpunished in a country where the rule of
law is meant to be paramount!
It is therefore sad to say at this moment, that both
the Federal and State governments are failing the people of Nigeria and South East in
particular.
In a previous letter to the Executive Governors of the South East states, OgbakoNdi Igbo UK had solicited for concerted efforts by the governors to tackle these security challenges facing our people.
It is with sadness that we note that our plea and
suggestions towards improvement of security in Igboland like the formation of a regional security outfit, have not been heeded since
we wrote that letter.
In the past months, Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK has noted the commendable response from
autonomous communities across the length and breadth of Igboland, who left with
no other choice, have taken matters into their own hands, and have gone at length to curtail the menace of these herdsmen and their cows.These responses have been achieved through the formation of vigilantes and other neighbourhood watch outfits.
We also note the formation of the Eastern Security Network(ESN), which was borne
out of the human necessity of self defence against aggression in ourland.
Ogbako NdiIgbo UK believes that these efforts are commendable as they are a last resort to
compliment the efforts of the security agencies that clearly have not been able to protect the people in Igboland.
We ask therefore, that our state governors do more to protect our people before things escalate out of control and to ensure tha they apply wisdom in managing hot spots of insecurity rather than fuelling it as was there cent case in Orlu. We also hereby declare our support for the various groups working to protect our people at
home and call on the various state governments in the South-East to align their
Efforts With That Of The Eastern Security Network (ESN)by providing them every necessary backing with a view ridding our forests and communities of these criminal elements causing insecurity.
Finally, we would like to state that we shall continue to offer our support to governments at all levels in the attainment of security, peace and justice for all. We will not fail in our avowed duty to rise to threats to our kith and kin anywhere this occur at all times.
This release was signed by Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK:
Executive Officers:
Dr.Jude Eze–Chairman, Chief Anthony Okwukaogu– Vice Chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Iwang–Secretary General,
Mr.Stanley Amadi–Vice Sec.General, Mr.Mathew Nkemdirim–Financial Secretary, Mr.Oscar Edmond–Treasurer,
Mrs.Blessing-Obi Alison–PRO, Mrs.Victoria Njoku-Provost
Chief Angus Chukwuemeka, Mazi Dozie Eluwa
Chairman Igbo Community Liverpool Chairman, Oxford Igbo Union Barr Keneth Udeoka, Barr Chike Anieto Interim Chairman, Igbo Community London, Chairman Ndi Igbo North East England Newcastle
Mazi Robert Ibe, Mazi Oti Kingsley Oti Chairman Ndi Igbo Leicester shire, Chairman Igbo Union, Milton Keynes, MrsTheodora Adogu, Mazi Charles Ukandu Chairman, Ndi Igbo Dundee Chairman, Igbo Union Yorkshire England Christian Ogara,
Mr.Lotanna Chime
Ndi Igbo Community, Swindon, Igbo Community Essex
Dr. Addy Lazz-Onyenobi, Mr Ifeanyi Okoro
Chairman Manchester, Chairman Igboamaka Edinburgh,Mr Charles Ariwodo, Mr.Stanley Amadi Chairman, Igbo Community Network UK,
Vice SecretaryGeneral
Ogbako NdiIgbo,UK
Mrs Elizabeth Iwang. Chief Anthony Okwukaogu
Secretary General.
Vice Chairman
Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK.
DrJudeChijiokeEze
Chairman
Ogbako NdiIgbo UK.
Keep reading us as we shall continue to keep our readers abreast of updates from UK.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
