Ohanaeze Youths to ACF: Don't sow discord over alleged attack on truck drivers

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, on Thursday, cautioned against attempts to create ethnic tensions over alleged attacks on truck drivers in the Southeast.

The group was reacting to concerns raised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which claimed that truck drivers transporting goods from the North to the Southeast were being targeted by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth, Okwu Nnabuike, described the allegations as surprising, given the peaceful and accommodating nature of the Igbo people.

According to the ACF, the killing of the drivers and the destruction of their vehicles constitute a serious threat to national security, which could lead to the breakdown of law and order and anarchy. The organisation also condemned what it called the silence of Igbo political leaders.

Okwu said that despite provocations, Ndigbo have remained peaceful and accommodating, stressing that they have never been hostile to strangers.

He said, “As we speak, trucks from different parts of the North are offloading food items in several markets across Igbo land. It should also be noted that many of these food items belong to Igbo businessmen and women. It is, therefore, bizarre for anyone to conclude that they have suddenly become the subject of attacks.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that Northerners are free to conduct their genuine businesses in Igbo land without any form of fear.

“We want to restate that Ndigbo are known for hospitality at the highest level, and this has not changed. We have a sacred duty to protect strangers in our land; therefore, those sowing seeds of discord should desist from such habits.”

While acknowledging the rise in criminal activities nationwide, Okwu warned against interpreting isolated security incidents as a targeted campaign against Northerners.

He stressed that such narratives could incite retaliatory attacks against Igbo traders in the North, further escalating tensions.

He added: “Those trying to pull this trigger should desist from it; we are at peace with all Northerners coming in and doing their legitimate businesses in Igbo land.

“While we sympathise with any truck driver and business owner who may have fallen victim to such banditry and criminality, the ACF and other groups should not blow it out of proportion, thereby creating unnecessary tension in the country.

“The security agencies should fish out anyone involved in launching any form of attack on innocent Nigerians, regardless of where they come from.”