Orji appeals to Northern leaders to stop killing of Ndigbo during crisis

By Anayo Okoli

Umuahia – ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, yesterday called on political and religious leaders in the North to prevent the recurrence of the senseless killing of the Igbo anytime there was crisis in the Northern part of the country.

He made the call at  Umuahia North council headquarters while addressing about 100 youth corps members of Abia State origin who arrived  Abia State from Bauchi, following the post-election crisis in that state.

According to the governor, the Igbos cannot continue to be made the scape-goat each time there is crisis in the North.

The governor warned that such act will be catastrophic, if it was not checked now.

Governor Orji regretted that despite the effort by Igbo leaders to protect the lives of indigenes of the North resident in their areas in the spirit of one Nigeria, Igbos in those areas had continued to be slaughtered at will.

According to the governor, though the recent killing of innocent corps members deployed to Bauchi to serve their fatherland is unfortunate, he would not want a reprisal attack in the state.

He expressed sympathy with the returnees over the sad experience they passed through in Bauchi State.
Governor Orji warned, however, that there was a stage where tolerance became unbearable, insisting that the earlier Northern leaders controlled the killings, the better for the peace and oneness of the country.

Narrating their ordeal to the governor earlier,  spokesperson of the group, Mr. Eze Nwosuagwu, said they had a terrible experience in Bauchi State. According to him, some of the corps members were slaughtered and maimed for refusing to allow the Northerners to rig the presidential election.

According to Nwosuagwu, apart from those who lost their lives, personal effects worth a lot of money, including certificates, were also lost. He lamented that going back to Bauchi State to continue with their national service will jeopardize their lives.

Nwosuagwu thanked the governor for his timely intervention in deploying vehicles and soldiers to convey them safely home.