Threats to Igbo: FG, Kaduna Govt. Assure of Safety

The federal government has assured all Nigerians of safety and security following the ultimatum given to Igbos by a northern group to leave the region.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, ACYF, a coalition of socio-political groups in northern Nigeria, had on Tuesday issued a three months ultimatum for all Igbos in the 19 northern states to vacate the region.

Responding on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the threat is not new.

“It is not the first time that different groups will issue such threats,” he said.

Mr. Mohammed, who spoke with State House correspondents after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council, which held inside the council Chamber of the Presidential Villa also said the threat is being handled by the relevant agencies of government.

“It is not new, but what I want to assure you is that the security agencies are on top of the situation,” he said.

Also, the Kaduna State Government has assured every resident of the state that nobody can tamper with their freedom to reside where they choose.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday, the state government said that the constitutional right of every Nigerian to own property, move freely and to live in peace and harmony is sacrosanct.

Signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the statement said that the Kaduna State Government strongly condemns the inciting, hate speech delivered by some self-appointed “northern youths” seeking to target and violate the rights of our citizens of Igbo extraction.

The Kaduna State government said it takes exception to the fact that the “northern youths” did their irresponsible press conference in Kaduna.

“This government has been consistent in taking action to punish hate speech and incitement. People who may feel unhappy about irresponsible comments or actions that have taken place in other states must know that two wrongs cannot make a right, and they cannot use our state to do or say things that threaten the peace,” Mr. Aruwan said, adding that the state government “has therefore ordered the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the signatories to the statement.”

The spokesperson said the Kaduna State government believes in and will uphold the right of every Nigerian to live safely and develop his/her full potentials within its territory.