By Felix Uka,
Abakaliki
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi State branch have said that the Igbo nation was the ultimate target of those who raided the Abuja residence of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.
The youths alleged that the ploy was to plant arms and ammunitions in the residence with the intent of roping him in with the eventual goals of silencing Igbo leaders and put them in terror.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, the National
Vice Chairman, Southeast of the NYCN, Elder Sam Igwe, said, ”Let no one think it’s Umahi’s affair, it’s about us. What do they expect? That we keep silent in the face of tyranny?”
He explained that it was time the Igbo united to liberate themselves.
“The contribution of Chief David Nweze Umahi to the unity and
development of this country should be highly respected. He has been at
the forefront of the development, unity and progress of this country and he doesn’t deserve this type of embarrassment, attack and
intimidation,” Igwe said.
Besides, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi State, described the attack on Umahi’s residence as barbaric and evil act.
It said that the attack was a clear indication that security agencies in Nigeria had been compromised.
The ALGON Chairman, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, advised the security agencies in Nigeria to close ranks, shun ethnic and tribal sentiments while discharging their fundamental roles of security of lives and property.
She alleged that the attack was the aftermath of the resolutions of the South East Governors after their expanded stakeholders’ meeting banning movement of herdsmen by foot across communities and states in the geopolitical zone.
The South East Governors Forum had identified the movement of herdsmen and their cattle from one community to another through farmlands as the cause of frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen and issued a communiqué delivered by Governor Umahi.
“It is therefore believed that the communique may not have gone well with some people, hence, the dispatch of Policemen from FCT Command, Abuja who scaled through the fence to the house, put off the lights to stop and avoid CCTV cameras functionality, went further to turn the whole house upside down.”