Igbos resident in Lagos, under the aegis of a sociocultural organization “Nd’Igbo Lagos” have raised alarm over allegation of planning a phantom protests levelled against them, saying that the originators of the accusations are “plotting evil against Ndigbo in Lagos and beyond.”
Further, Nd’Igbo Lagos pointed out that purveyors of the rumour and accusation are “leveraging on this fabricated evil plot to advance their satanic course.”
They raised this concern in a statement, “Nd’Igbo Lagos publicly dissociates Nd’Igbo in Lagos from civil unrest allegedly masterminded by Nd’Igbo”, jointly signed by the President General and Secretary General, Major General Obi Abel Umahi (rtd) OFR and Chief Chuma Igwe, respectively.
According to “Nd’Igbo Lagos”, “We recognize the harmful negative
impact the wicked rumors of Igbo
planned and masterminded civil
disobedience may have on our
relationship with our host
communities and Nigeria at large.
“Those behind this plot against Igbos do not only aim at inciting distrust and tension, but also tarnish the image of the Igbo people in Lagos and beyond. Their aim could also be to portray Igbos as anti-government of the day and stigmatize Igbos in order to provoke aggression against Igbos, attack them, loot their shops, set others on fire, et cetera.”
The Igbo sociocultural organization further exonerated the Igbos in Lagos of any plot of protest, stressing that ” Igbos in Lagos are not planning any manner of civil unrest and will not be part of any such gathering against any constituted authority in Lagos State or beyond. “
They urged security agencies to move in and preempt the forces behind the rumours against the Igbos, assuring that the Igbos stand firmly on the path of peace.
They said: On behalf of Igbos in Lagos, Ndigbo Lagos publicly and unequivocally declares that Igbos in Lagos are not planning any manner of civil unrest and will not be part of any such gathering against any constituted authority in Lagos State or beyond.
“We stand firmly on the path of peace, which is indeed necessary for security and development to thrive.
We therefore urge the security
agencies to kindly take this
development seriously in order to
preempt the wicked plots of these evil forces bearing wicked rumors against Igbos.”
The full text of the statement reads:
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
NDIGBO LAGOS PUBLICLY
DISSOCIATES NDIGBO IN LAGOS
FROM CIVIL UNREST ALLEGEDLY
MASTERMINDED BY NDIGBO
July 16, 2024 – Lagos
The socio-cultural organisation,
Ndigbo Lagos, categorically denies
and debunks the wicked and
unfounded rumors making the
rounds, which alleges that Igbo
community in Lagos are planning to
mastermind protests against the
Government of Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria. Those behind this wicked rumor against Igbos may be plotting evil against Ndigbo in Lagos and beyond and leveraging on this fabricated evil plot to advance their satanic course.
Ndigbo Lagos is a reputable and
responsible organization deeply
committed to fostering peace, unity,
and socio-economic development in
the places we domicile and do our
legitimate businesses. For decades,
Ndigbo Lagos has championed
initiatives that bridge cultural divides
and promote mutual understanding
and respect among the diverse ethnic groups residing in Lagos, especially
with the Indigenous communities with whom we have lived side by side in harmony. Ndigbo Lagos has a longstanding history of involvement in conflict resolution and mediation efforts.
In 2010, during the market disputes in Alaba and in 2015 in Mushin, our
leadership played a crucial role in
mediating peace talks, which
successfully resolved tensions
without any escalation. Additionally,
we have forged and maintained
strategic partnerships with leaders of indigenous communities on joint
initiatives that benefited our
collective communities. A case in
point was our joint venture with the
Yoruba Council of Elders in 2020 to
create business incubators.
We recognize the harmful negative
impact the wicked rumors of Igbo
planned and masterminded civil
disobedience may have on our
relationship with our host
communities and Nigeria at large.
Those behind this plot against Igbos
do not only aim at inciting distrust and tension, but also tarnish the image of the Igbo people in Lagos and beyond. Their aim could also be to portray Igbos as anti government of the day and stigmatize Igbos in order to provoke aggression against Igbos, attack them, loot their shops, set others on fire et cetera.
On behalf of Igbos in Lagos, Ndigbo
Lagos publicly and unequivocally
declares that Igbos in Lagos are not
planning any manner of civil unrest
and will not be part of any such gathering against any constituted
authority in Lagos State or beyond.
We stand firmly on the path of peace, which is indeed necessary for security and development to thrive.
We therefore urge the security
agencies to kindly take this
development seriously in order to
preempt the wicked plots of these evil forces bearing wicked rumors against Igbos.
We equally call on the media community, all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic background, to stand against divisive narratives and work collaboratively towards a harmonious nation. The strength of our country lies in its diversity, and it is our collective responsibility to nurture this diversity through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.
Ndigbo Lagos urge all Igbos in Lagos and even beyond to peacefully go
about their legitimate businesses
knowing that the security agencies
are on top of this wicked rumors of
civil unrest and will expose the
elements behind it. Long live Ndigbo.
Long live Lagos State. Long live
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Major General Obi Abel Umahi (rtd) OFR
President General
Chief Chuma Igwe
Secretary General
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