Association of Igbo Youths Initiative Movement (AIYIM) said that it would match force with force against the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, if it carries out its threat to bomb mourners at the burial of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The association spoke during a visit to the eldest son of the ex-Biafran warlord, Dr. Sylvester Ojukwu, in Nnewi.
Anambra State coordinator of the group, Mr. Ifeanyi Chigbo, said the youths are ready to protect mourners and dignitaries, stressing that Boko Haram should restrict their attacks to the North.
Chigbo, who led the over 10,000 youths on a procession with Ojukwu’s son, on the traditional icho mmadu, noted that Ojukwu, was a symbol of unity and justice and any attempt to ridicule his final passage rites will be aggressively resisted, adding that the burial of Ojukwu does not in anyway affect the agitations of the sect.
He said: “We are aware of rumours of attack by Boko Haram, but we are ready for them. No person or group of persons has monopoly of violence and Igbo youths cannot be intimidated in their own fatherland.”
The youth leader said he would work with security agencies to ensure the provision of adequate security during the burial.
He said the association was gathering information on the movement of Boko Haram and was ready to match them.
Receiving the youths, Ojukwu said: “I feel encouraged that the youths have decided to join in giving my late father a befitting burial and their contribution is special to me because they are the ones that will carry on with the ideals of my late father.”
He said the Ojukwu family is overwhelmed by the out pour of emotions by Ndigbo.
The APGA Ambassadors Forum called on all Igbo groups to comport themselves in a manner befitting the Ikemba during the burial ceremony.
In a statement by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sylvanus Mgbechukwu, the group enjoined Igbo to pursue Ojukwu’s political agenda of a strong political identity.
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Igbo youths promise peaceful funeral