Oparaocha (file photo)
‘As governor, who swore to protect every citizen of Lagos State irrespective of their religion, tribe, political and regional inclinations, looking the other way while the Igbo people are being attacked and their businesses/ sources of livelihood destroyed is certainly not an achievement or history that generations present and unborn will be happy to hear about you’
By Mohammed Usman
Minna – Igbo Community leader in Niger State, Dr Valentine Oparaocha, has called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide
Sanwo-Olu, to halt further harassments, intimidations and victimization of Ndigbo in Lagos under any guise in the interest of peace and unity.
He pointed out that Ndigbo in Lagos are law -biding Nigerians going about their legitimate businesses like the Yoruba who are also living outside western part of the country, stressing that attacks on them is infringement on their fundamental human rights as citizens and will no longer be allowed unchallenged.
Oparaocha, in an interview with Nigeria News Flight in Minna, reminded Governor Sanwa-Olu of the inherent dangers of attacks on the Igbo people and destroying their businesses and sources of livelihood, adding that, ‘‘crisis is an ill wind that blows no one good, including the instigators.”
Also read: Alaba Market demolition and anti-Igbo sentiments in Lagos
The Igbo Cultural Association (ICA) leader in Niger State also argued that the excuses that the structures being destroyed had outlived their life span in accordance with Lagos state government laws is not acceptable as reports from most of the victims have proved otherwise, hence, the need for the state government to thread with caution.
“As governor, who swore to protect every citizen of Lagos State irrespective of their religion, tribe, political and regional inclinations, looking the other way while the Igbo people are being attacked and their businesses/ sources of livelihood destroyed is certainly not an achievement or history that generations present and unborn will be happy to hear about you”.
Oparaocha, a retired security expert, however, cautioned that, “No particular group/ tribe or language in Nigeria has monopoly of violence and rascality. The Yoruba people live and go about their legitimate businesses outside Yoruba land, why must the Igbo not be let alone?”
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