Why Ndigbo should be angry, by Ohanaeze 

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has asked Ndigbo to review their stand in the country, saying any Igbo man who is not angry at the present situation of things must have his head examined. 

President General of the umbrella body, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, who stated this while reacting to the court ordered release of 114 Igbo women arrested and detained in Owerri, Imo State on August 17, warned against over-stretching people’s endurance limit.

It would be recalled that IPOB women, who were protesting the whereabouts of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu in Owerri on that day were arrested and clamped into prison.

In a statement signed from his hospital bed abroad in reaction to the release, Nwodo saluted the Judiciary for allowing reason and respect for human rights to prevail.

He said: “Never again shall we Igbos at this critical time, shoot ourselves again on the foot. No matter how provocative, incendiary and unruly IPOB may be, they are our children. Aggrieved children can sometimes lose their guard.”

He urged Imo State government to demonstrate restraints in the future, even as he lamented the way Federal Government has handled the Biafra issue.

He said: “Here are young people described as terrorists for daring to speak out in the face of degradation, marginalisation and inhuman treatment. While they are proscribed, Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors, Miyetti Allah move about freely, reeling out new threats, occupying Southern and Middle Belt farms forcibly, with law enforcement agents either aiding them or looking away. Churches are invaded and priests killed, yet no one is arrested. Thousands are killed, thousands are rendered homeless, and no one cares. Internally displaced persons camps are established only when the displaced come from a favoured section of the country.

“Boko Haram loots, plunders and kidnaps, but government negotiates with them, spending inappropriate and undisclosed sums. Arewa youths spoke treason and were defended by governors and treated with privilege. No wonder our security chiefs are appointed on the basis of where they come from.”