RIVERS: Most violent acts against northerners perpetrated by Igbo — Northern Elders

THE Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said people from the South-East, known as Igbo, are the perpetrators of the most violent acts against northerners outside their region.

Chairman of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, raised the allegation on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where the Forum went on a tour of northern communities across other parts of the country following the #EndSARS protests.

The forum threatened that should the violence continue they would have to change their approach.

“We came because we saw no reason innocent residents, wherever they are, irrespective of where they come from, who are not participating in the protest will be subjected to violence,” said the NEF leader.

“They suffered enormous violence and loss of lives and assets of various magnitude.

“What was surprising to us was that those that perpetrated the violence against northerners are the same people who are crying more and calling for compensation.

“We take particular delight when we talked with the governor of the state. We were told by residents of Rivers that the governor was particularly interested in protecting them and their rights as he swore in his oath of office.

“It is now becoming clear that most of the violence that are being meted out to the northerners in various parts of the South came from people from the south-eastern states. People with some names.

“We are not sure what name really they want to keep. They come with different brands, use these names to perpetrate criminality in different parts of the country. For years, this particular incident has been with us.

“It is up to the authorities to assure all of us that this must end. This must stop. I think the North will no longer allow this redline to be crossed.

“It is because people get away with criminal behaviour without sanctions and punishment that is why they keep recycling this irresponsible behaviour.

“Therefore, as we leave the South-South, we will be heading for the South-East. We will be speaking with the leadership there, especially the governors, to remind them of their responsibility to protect residents irrespective of where they come from.”

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had outlawed the Indigenous People of Biafra in the state following the violence that erupted in Oyigbo in the wake of the #EndSARS protest.

The group, which had already been outlawed and labelled a terrorist group by the Federal Government, was fingered in the violence that rocked Oyigbo, and which reportedly led to loss of lives.