Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide, yesterday, cautioned against attempts to create ethnic tension over alleged attacks on truck drivers in the South-East.

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 region were being targeted by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the group 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 destruction of their vehicles constitute a serious threat to national security that could lead to breakdown of law and order, and anarchy.

The organisation also condemned what it called the silence of Igbo political leaders.

Nnabuike, however, stated that despite provocations, Ndigbo have remained peaceful and accommodating, stressing that they had never been hostile to strangers.

He said: “As we speak, trucks from the different parts of the North are offloading food items in several markets across Igboland. It should also be noted that a lot 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 do their genuine businesses in Igbo land without any form of fear.

“We want to restate that Ndigbo are known for hospitality to 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 habit.”

While acknowledging the rise in criminal activities nationwide, the youth leader 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 and escalate tensions.