BOKO HARAM: LEAVE THE NORTH NOW-S/EAST LEADERS TELL IGBOS

For first time since the killings of Igbos in Northern Nigeria by the Islamist Boko Haram, South East leaders rose from a meeting at the weekend urging all Igbos in the North to return home immediately.

The meeting under the auspices of Igbo Elders Forum held at the GRA residence of later Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu noted with anger, the spate of killings and bombing of Igbo sons and daughters in the North by the Boko Haram sect.
The Igbo Elders said although, Igbo men who wish to stay back in the North to protect their various investments can do so.

Newly crowned Eze Igbo Gburugburu and leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, said, “We are calling for immediate return of Igbo wives and children so that their safety can be assured here in the East.
 The Igbo nation is once again facing an intending refugee crisis and our people are being forced to flee their homes and places of work.”

He said settlement centers have been set up in the South East zones for all Igbos who have been displaced as a result of the activities of Boko Haram.

“While we urge churches to accommodate Igbo refugees, we will no longer fold our arms and watch Igbo people buried in mass graves,” he added.
However, another meeting of South-East political leaders, comprising the Secretary to Federal Government, Senator Pius Anyim, the five governors, National Assembly members, former governors and former lawmakers, among others, have condemned the spate of killings in the country, especially as it affects Igbos.

A communiqué of a prolonged meeting on Saturday read, “We are angry and condemn the spate of killings going on in the country, especially as it affects Ndigbo.

We however commend the efforts of the Federal Government in containing the situation. We have set up a committee to monitor the developments as it unfolds.”

Other dignitaries at the South-East political leaders meeting included former vice-president, Alex Ekwueme; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Chris Ngige and Uche Chukwumerije.

Others were Ralph Uwaechue, Emeka Anyaoku, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Emeka Wogu, Barth Nnaji, Tim Menakaya and Igwe Alfred Achebe.