Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide (OYC) has issued stern warning to the members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Abia State Police command to be of good behaviour during the burial ceremony of Eze Israel Okwu Kanu.
It should be recalled that Late Eze Kanu, The Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community in Abia State, is the father of the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, thus, Kanu’s followers The IPOB will grace the burial and the Police has issued numerous statement against the group.
Reacting over the two parties, the security agents and the Biafra agitators, IPOB, apex-social cultural group, Ohanaeze Youths has sued for peace.
OYC, in a statement signed by its President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro admonished Security agents not to taste the wrath Of Biafra agitators or Ndigbo, as The Paramount Ruler and His Wife will be laid to rest on Friday February 14 2020.
The full statement reads…
“We Commend the tactical withdrawal of Security agents at least 1km around the Vicinity of Afaraukwu Community because OYC will not tolerate any form Intimidation, Harrassment, Provocative show of force, Arrest and Killing of any Igbo Man, Under the guise of maintaining peace where there’s no Crisis.
“We wish to remind Security Agents that Igbo Customs and Traditional demands that Certain positive rituals are carried Out especially during Burial Rites of any Igbo Paramount Ruler, which doesn’t require the Presence of Strangers and Non Igbos.
“At Such Police, Army and other Paramilitary forces should Vacate Umuahia Metropolis and be at the rear, to avert avoidable Clashes with the Youths doing Traditional rituals and ceremonies in honour of the late King,whose Kingdom is part of the Ancient Kingdom of Ibeku Egwu Assa, the covers the heart of Umuahia Metropolis.
“OYC reminds Police, on the need to stop Further Use of Provocative and inciting Media Releases and Interviews to incur the Wrath Of the people during the Burial Rites of the Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community HRM Eze Isaac Kanu and His Wife, as there will be influx of Foreign dignitaries from all over the World, they are going to Use the opportunity to assess if the allegations against the Nigerian Police,Army of Harrassment are True.
“We Urge CP Okon Abia State Police to Withdraw his threat of unleashing Mayhem against his citizens, and tactically tender unreserved apology to Ipob, as it’s Unprofessional and against the ethics of the profession, Biafra Agitators are not violent in nature and Urge CP Okon not to create an opportunity to make a peaceful State of Abia be on flames,as OYC will engage with all stateholders to avert avoidable arrest or killing of Any Igbo Youth during the Burial Rites.
“Finally, OYC Urge Biafra Agitators especially IPOB members to join other sympathisers of the late Family Of The Paramount Ruler Of Afaraukwu Community HRM Eze Isaac Kanu, to be of good Conduct and avoid Using anything that would jeopardise the process of the King and Queen the befitting Burial Rites according to Customs demands.
“We Should not allow the repeat Of “Oraifite” sad Episode and they Should not engaged security agents in anyway, We will ensure that We Avert avoidable Bloodshed during the Burial, OYC Plead with Ipob members not to display any Biafra flags or Uniforms,as there’s no reason to lose any Life while trying to Bury the King and Queen of Afaraukwu Community, Abia is Safe and Secured.there should be no bloodshed or Massacre,it will be resisted.
