Ohanaeze Ndigbo Issues Warning to Security Outfits

Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Youth group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, on Tuesday warned the police and the army against disrupting the burial of the parents of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement jointly signed by the President-General Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the Secretary General Okwu Nnabuike, the police was warned not to invite the wrath of the group and advised to stay at least one kilometre away from the Afaraukwu community, where the burial would take place.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ene Okon, had warned that the police would react if the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra attended the event slated for Friday. The group, in response, warned the Commissioner of Police against making such inciting statements which is capable of causing breakdown of law and order. The Commissioner was advised to withdraw the statement and tender an unreserved apology to IPOB.

The group said, “We wish to remind security agents that Igbo customs and traditions demand that certain positive rituals are carried out especially during burial rites of any Igbo paramount ruler, which does not require the presence of strangers and non Igbo. As such police, army and other paramilitary forces should vacate Umuahia to avert avoidable a clash with youths doing traditional rituals in honour of the late king.”

IPOB was also urged by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to be of good conduct before, during and after the burial.

“Finally, OYC urge Biafra agitators, especially IPOB members to join other sympathizers of the family of the late paramount ruler of Afaraukwu community, late HRM Eze Isaac Kanu, to be of good conduct and avoid using anything that would jeopardize the process of according the king and queen the befitting burial rites,” the statement concluded..