The Conference of Igbo Elders for Peace and Development (CIEPD) has decried the rate of killings in the Southeast.
It also appealed to the perpetrators to desist or face the wrath of God and the people.
They made their position known yesterday in a statement signed by National President Mazi Festus Edochie, and National Secretary Esther Amadi, in Abuja.
The elders further noted that contrary to attempts to foist ethnic agenda on the incidents in Imo State and some parts of Southeast, the killings ‘are purely acts of criminality that know no ethnicity, tribe, religion, or political inclination’.
The statement reads: “We condemn the killings witnessed in Imo State, and some parts of Igbo land, even as we have continued our advocacy and sensitization against acts of criminality and barbarism, in whatever guise.
“We are concerned that the killing in parts of the Southeast is given ethnic coloration, while the same development in the Northeast, and Northwest, is attributed to terrorists. Rather than politicize killings anywhere in the country, let us join hands together to make Nigeria safe and great again, through the promotion of justice, equity, inclusivity, and above all, patriotism.
“For the umpteenth time, we would like to state that concerned Igbo elders will not allow any group or individual – no matter how highly-placed in society – to give a dog a bad name and hang it, just to serve parochial and chauvinistic tendencies.”
