Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC), the apex youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the federal government grant amnesty to operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the leader of the youth body while speaking to newsmen after the stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri on Tuesday noted that Nigeria has reached its peak of insecurity, a statement by Chukwuemeka Chimerue, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to OYC National President said.
He added that the best and workable anti-dote is to grant amnesty to the ESN.
“Nigeria has definitely reached its climax in an ethnic crisis as a result of the movement of Fulani herdsmen criminal activities all over the country.
“With the crisis in Northern Nigeria as a result of bandits, kidnappers and Boko Haram terrorists including reports of Fulani herdsmen clash in the West.
“If more confrontation of the military against pro-Biafrans and Eastern Security Network continues, it will not just break up Nigeria but the crisis will become uncontrollable,” Igboayaka noted.
He also advised the Governors of Igbo extraction to immediately initiate an amnesty programme with the Nigerian Government for members of ESN to save Alaigbo from an already foreseen doom waiting to befall her and Nigeria at large.
He argued that if ESN has gone against the law of Nigeria by carrying arms, the bandits have also gone against the law by also carrying arms.
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He urged the Governors of Igbo extraction to negotiate with ESN/IPOB and treat them the way Northern governors are treating Bandits to drop their arms.
He further warned Governors of Igbo extraction that any unjust treatment or military confrontation against members of ESN and IPOB in any manner again may lead to the total population of Igbo youths and Ndigbo at large to rise in disapproval against them.
He stated that “what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander.
“The youths of Hausa/Fulani who engage in banditry and the youths in Igbo land who engage in self-defence through Eastern Security Network and self-determination struggle must be treated equally with utmost carefulness.”
“Nigeria government should quickly approve a compulsory community Vigilante Security Network in all communities in Nigeria to complement the efforts of federal security agents,” Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka added.
Comrade Igboayaka Called upon Nigeria State Security Service (SSS) to advise the Nigeria government and governors of Igbo extraction to move into action on the above solution for a workable ethnic reintegration, harmony, peace and sustainable cohabitation among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
