CNG urges northerners in South-east to return home over alleged attacks

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) on Sunday called on northerners living in Imo state and all unfriendly parts of the South-east to consider leaving the region for the sake of their lives and properties.

CNG spokesperson Abdul-Azeez Suleiman in a press release said the call on the northerners to return home was borne out of the realisation that their lives had been put at risk due to the recent actions perpetrated in Imo on the orders of the state governor.

He said it is also that their safety can no longer be guaranteed.

“We call on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to disband all militias and armed groups in Imo and other parts of the South-East by resort to the use of force if needs be, to ensure that no group has the capacity to challenge the State in its prerogative to maintain law and order, and protect citizens’ lives and properties.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Army Headquarters to interrogate the extent of involvement of their personnel in the commission of this dastardly act against peaceful everyday northerners in Imo State.

“We demand for the establishment of a judicial enquiry that would be saddled with the responsibility of determining the quantum of loss of properties by northerners in the Imo attacks with a view to paying compensation due to each of the victims.

“We are aware that the Uzodimma’s and other southern politicians have made an entire career out of demonizing and insulting the North and all it stands for.

“The CNG today declares enough is enough. The North will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks and will henceforth be forced to react coin for coin to every provocation and unwarranted attacks by the Igbo and other self-appointed enemies anywhere.

“The North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action is not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind. It is simply because of our respect for others and deep commitment to national integration,” he said.