Boko Haram: Igbos Are Fleeing The North En-Masses

Following Friday’s coordinated bombings of parts of Kano, which left over 160 people dead, southerners, especially Igbos, living in Sabon Gari area of the city have besieged a motor park in their bid to flee to their home states.

• Igbos at Sabon Gari motor park, Kano trying to leave the city this morning. PHOTO: Madu Nmeribeh

As early as 8.30 a.m. today, luxury buses were seen loading Igbo passengers at motor park in Sabon Gari area of Kano. Unlike before, when such buses depart in the evening, the buses are billed to leave in the afternoon today.

Many travellers were seen milling around the park as they tried to book for their trip to the eastern part of the country.

Men who have unfinished businesses or project in Kano have decided to send their families back to their home states.

The majority of passengers on board the buses were women and children. And because of this, business activities within Sabon Gari, Kano, have become slow.

Those travelling told NEWSMEN at the park of their regret for being compelled to leave Kano because they no longer felt safe after last Friday’s bomb explosions by Boko Haram.

According to them, if the Boko Haram Sect could wreak such havoc on security agencies, it then means that their safety cannot be guaranteed.

When NEWSMEN reminded one of the travellers, Mr. Emeka Odoh, of the president’s promise to beef up security, he fumed: “How long will Mr. President continue to promise us? It has happened in Maiduguri, Yobe, Kaduna and look at what happened in Kano last Friday, where many people were killed; including my own brother whose corpse cannot be identified yet.

“Also, remember what happened on Christmas Day at a Catholic Church in Niger State where parishioners were killed and later the suspect was caught. But what they told us was that he escaped. We can no longer wait, let us go to our home.”

Though non-indigenes are afraid of what may happen next, soldiers have already taken over security in Kano. They have been deployed to strategic locations and some are on patrol even as tension is still high.

Condemnations have trailed the bombings of Friday. The national president, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji have all decried the attacks.

They have also called for concerted fight by all Nigerians against insecurity.

Oritsejafor condoled with families of the victims and those injured in the bombings.

“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the continued killing of innocent Nigerians for no justifiable reason whatsoever. The blood of these innocent citizens will surely cry out for justice.”

On his part, Fashola condoled with the government and people of Kano State as well as the management of Channels Television over the unfortunate loss of lives which occurred as a result of the violent and mindless explosion of bombs in the state on Friday.

He asked all well meaning Nigerians to rise up together to find a path of peace for our nation, while urging all aggrieved persons to seek dialogue first rather than as a last resort.

Also speaking, Ikuforiji condemned the Kano bombing and condoled with families of the victims, especially the gruesome murder of Channels TV Correspondent in Kano.

The Speaker, in a statement said it is very sad, regrettable and most ungodly for any group by whatever name to have killed the journalist in that manner while carrying out his constitutional duties.

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has rained curses on the sect’s members calling down the spirit of God upon them and their sponsors.

Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged all Nigerians to respect the sanctity of human life while voicing their grievances, saying last Friday’s multiple blasts that rocked the ancient city of Kano calls for greater concern and sober reflection.

Such an act, the Speaker noted in a statement made available to P.M.NEWS, will send wrong signals to the international community that the country is not safe for investors.

According to him, the surest way to resolve any differences is through dialogue.

Following the frequent bomb explosions and killings by Boko Haram now threatening the stability and unity of Nigeria, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen. Raphael Isa, has disclosed that counter-terrorism training is ongoing in Jaji, Kaduna State, north central Nigeria.

Speaking this morning on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, Isa said that the Jaji training involves all security agencies in the country.

He called on all Nigerians to provide information about terrorists, adding that those housing them must stop.

“We want the civil society to wake up, people around should provide intelligence. People should stop housing criminals.”

He disclosed that contrary to general belief that all the terrorists are imported from outside the country, Nigerians are involved as well as foreigners.

“Nigerians are involved and it is unfortunate. You bring someone from outside to help you destroy your own country,” he said.

He said there is no evidence that the Boko Haram sect has links to Al-Qaeda, the dreaded terrorist group which carried out the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City.

He also called on Nigerian embassies to provide information on terrorists training outside the country.

Isa said that some politicians may be involved but did not disclose their identity.

“We are all political animal. Is there anything we do that is not shrouded in politics,” he said about the involvement of politicians.

He also disclosed that the department of information and military intelligence has been given the task to sensitise Nigerians on how to partner on the fight against terrorism.

—Madu Nmeribeh/Kano, Kazeem Ugbodaga, Eromosele Ebhomele, Jamiu Yisa & Simon Ateba

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killings put lives of Northerners in danger

NORTHERNERS residing in the Eastern part of the country are unhappy with the sectarian killings in parts of the North, saying the development has put their lives in danger.

Though there has not been any threat to their lives by their Southern hosts, the northerners have remained apprehensive, especially whenever they saw people gather together.

In fact, most of them who serve as gatemen and foreign exchange agents have suddenly disappeared from their duty posts telling their employers where they were heading to.

A landlord in Awka, Mr. Fabian Okafor who had four northerners in his employ both in his house and office said he was surprised that they left unceremoniously despite his assurance to them that nothing would happen to them.

He said: “When reports of the killings in the North came, I noticed that these northerners working for me were unnecessarily becoming apprehensive. I called them to my house and assured them that nothing would happen to them because Igbos are not interested in reprisal

killing.

“Though they assured me that they would remain with me, I was surprised when I came back one evening and noticed that they have all left. I called them on telephone and their lines were switched off. When I went to make enquiry from their leader in Awka, I noticed that he too had left.”

Secretary of South-South and South-East Northern Traditional Council, Alhaji Iliyasu Yushau, in statement in Awka condemned what he described as the senseless killings in the North.

According to him, the Hausa Muslim community in the two zones regret the deteriorating security situation in the northern parts of Nigeria which has resulted to destruction of churches and killing of innocent citizens.

The statement urged the Federal Government to rise to the situation to protect the unity and corporate existence of the country.

The statement enjoined all southerners to ignore the threat by members of Boko Haram sect to non northerners and Christians to leave the area, insisting that the country belongs to all Nigerians.

It noted that a large number of northerners, both Christians and Muslims, are also residing the South and have been going about their businesses without molestation from any quarter, noting that Islam does not preach violence but rather preaches peace and tolerance among people.

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Igbo boycott meeting with Borno govt

Igbo people in Maiduguri have expressed disappointment with the Borno State government over its alleged nonchalance towards the welfare of victims of Boko Haram Islamic sect attack in the state.

The people boycotted a meeting between the government, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and other southerners residing in the state on the incessant killing of non indigenous people by the sect’s members, Monday, claiming that government was not serious with their plight.

This is coming as Igbo Youths Movement, IYM alleges that the endless killings of Ndigbo in the north was meant to provoke the people and draw them into ‘’the fray,’’ adding that this ‘’portends great danger to the continued survival of Nigeria as a corporate entity.’’

The statement entitled, ‘’Pushed to the wall’’was signed by the President of IYM, Evangelist Elliot Ukoh and made available to Saturday Vanguard yesterday.

Meanwhile, the rejection of the tripartite meeting by the Igbo followed the feelings among southerners in the state that the government had not done enough to protect their lives and property.Some Igbo who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, ‘’We are not happy with this government, because since the killing of our people in their shops and churches started, nobody has been paid any compensation, even as Muslims are being compensated.

Just last week, Gov Shettima paid N89m compensation to Muslim victims. He also gave out N100m to the family of late Ba Fugu, the father in-law to late leader of Boko Haram, Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf. So we felt we are not relevant in the state.We have no business with Shetima as we have lost confidence in him. He is only concerned with the plight of the Muslims.”

Efforts to contact the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, who is also an Igbo, Mr. Kester Ogualli on telephone proved abortive as his GSM line was switched off.

Vanguard covered the first session of the meeting before journalists were asked to leave the venue to enable the state governor and the two bodies interact. Those in attendance included the Chairman of CAN, Rev. Yuguda Mdurvwa, his Secretary, Rev. Fai Pama and few leaders of the Yoruba community.

However, following threats to life by the Boko Haram, the Joint Task Force, JTF, “Operation Restore Order” in Maiduguri, the state capital has imposed a curfew on Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Council areas beginning from 5pm to 7am each day.

A statement by the Commander of the JTF, Major General Jack Nwaogbo, which was signed on his behalf by the Field Operations Commander, Col. Victor Ebheleme advised members of the public to comply, as anyone who violets such order will be dealt with according to the Rules of Engagement

Nwaogbo added that, by the JTF’s directive, security agencies had been empowered to fish out Boko Haram adherents, supporters and other criminal elements hiding under the cover of the group.

The JTF however, advised law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses within the time available to them, even as those on essential services were advised to identity themselves properly to the security agents.

The statement further enjoined members of the public to make use of the following GSM Hotlines, 07085464012, 08154429346 and 08064174066 to report issues of security to the JTF, as any information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Speaking at the Monday meeting, Governor Shettima had explained that the purpose was to interact with CAN and the leadership of other minority tribes/communities on the possible means of protecting their lives and property in the state.

But according to the IYM boss, Evangelist Ukoh, ‘’The calculated decision by Boko Haram sect and their hidden sponsors to disintegrate Nigeria has gone on with it’s attendant blood letting for much too long.

The frightening silence of Northern leaders has got to the breaking point. Lord Fredrick Lugard’s idea of a Nigeria he forcefully almagamated in 1914 has got to the point of severe survival test by Boko Haram, it is doubtful if the centre can hold.

We’ve been told severally by globally respected writers that this house has fallen. We’ve also been told both by Late Ghadaffi and the C.I.A that we would disintegrate. We have had faith that we could manage but Boko Haram and their sponsors think otherwise.

The emergence of a Southern Christian President has finally brought to the fore, the folly of a section of Nigeria who believes they are born to rule. Their inability to accept stark reality that Nigeria belongs to all and their desperation for power has brought the nation to its knees.

The endless slaughters of Southerners and the calculated attempt by Boko Haram to draw Ndigbo into the fray portends great danger to the continued survival of Nigeria as a corporate entity.

The calculated attempt to provoke reprisals by deliberately killing Ndigbo in the North, designed to bring the government down will only result to a very bloody civil war, the kind not experienced in Africa before now.

It is time for good men and women to stand up and save Nigeria.

The South East leaders are under intense pressure to authorize reprisals. There is a limit to our ability to hold on for continued tolerance and endurance.

The people of the South-east are surprised that Nigerians are only interested in fuel price, nobody is talking about the Ndigbo that are being slaughtered daily in Northern Nigeria. In churches, during town-hall meetings, in buses on their way home and even passer-bys.

The key problem is the unworkable unitary structure and desperation to occupy centre. Half-witted ignoramuses cannot set agenda for us. We will not play into their hands.

Politicians who used empowerment and emboldened Boko Haram have already lost control.

Those who think we will not fight back may not be right. We will decide when and how. It is not in our character to kill helpless women and children.

The endless slaughtering of Southerners and the calculated attempt by Boko Haram to draw Ndigbo

The calculated decision by Boko Haram sect and their sponsors to disintegrate Nigeria has gone on with it’s attendant blood letting for much too long.

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