Ohaneze Ndigbo has described the recurrent violence and wanton killings in the Southeast as a systematic destruction of the geo-political zone.
The group condemned the crisis rocking the region in a statement on the security situation in the five states of Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia and Imo.
It called on the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to facilitate an end to the carnage.
Ohanaeze also faulted Southeast governors for failing to put the former regional security organisation Ebube Agu into operation months after it was given birth to.
In the statement, signed by its President-General Prof. George Obiozor, Ohanaeze said: “Our youths, particularly the leaders of IPOB, should take notice of the danger violence has posed in Igbo land. Ndigbo must avoid being a race that has voluntarily chosen to perish in violence and insecurity, and we must stop threatening ourselves and there must be a stop to violence and violent rhetoric. Something other than the initial objectives of IPOB is taking place and it is dangerous.
“Today, what we are seeing in Igbo land is not liberation but Igbo destruction and devastation. It is a national tragedy for Igbos. The liberty and freedom of Ndigbo are threatened internally and externally. I call on IPOB leaders to reassert the authority and control of the organisation.”
The statement added, “To the Southeast governor’s delay in launching Ebube Agu security outfit is an embarrassment. I strongly appeal to the governors without further hesitation to consolidate and launch Ebubeagu security architecture, in the South-East. The security situation in the South-East makes this call urgent and imperative. Our people must have a security networking agency that is under their control and capable of identifying both internal and external security threats in Igbo land.”
