Amid casualties ocassioned by the deadly blow by Nigerian troops currently battling militia wing of the Indegenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), in South Eastern Nigeria, the Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called for restraints from the masterminds of the insecurity in the South East.
He allayed fears that the calamity of Civil war between 1967 to 1970 would repeat itself, saying it won’t be tolerated.
In a statement on Tuesday, Senator Kalu broke out of what looks like a conspiracy of silence among the Igbo political leaders and elites to speak against operations of IPOB that has caused insecurity in the South East region, saying it is strange revealing that Igbo are not known for burning homes to punish enemies.
He personally signed the statement which was obtained by CAPITAL POST in Abuja.
He querried the idea of killing of policemen and military officers by the militia arm of the proscribed IPOB, asking the masterminds and perpetrators of the deadly act, wondering how they turned around against those meant to protect them, families and relatives.
He urged them to have a rethink in their actions and advised them to choose a more rigteous path in expressing their grievances.
According to the former Governor, “the policemen and military officers being killed are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children and relatives. Anyone that has lost a close relative knows what it means to lose parents or children. I am more concerned about the lives lost because of the trickle down effects on families.
“Our people are not known for burning homes to punish enemies . Destroying police stations and infrastructures can never be the best path to express grievances. Whenever the 1967 – 1970 civil war is mentioned, it’s an emotive experience for any peace loving Nigerian not just an Igbo man .
Continuing, he said “We should not either by words or actions pursue a repetition of that horrible genocide . We should come to understand that every war ends on a table. Instead of destructions before coming to the table , is it not wiser to come to table and avoid destruction? We need infrastructure, we need investments, we don’t need hostilities. So we are pleading with you to stop and embrace peace“, he said.
On the killing of innocent young people, kalu charged the security agencies to desist from harassment, molestation and killing of innocent young people in the region.
Kalu on the other hand, expressed concern that some security agents have been reported to be killing innocent souls.
“It is better to thoroughly conduct your investigations and avoid the indiscriminate killings of young innocent Igbo men. Our people have raised alarm and we are very worried at the rate of disappearance and deaths of innocent young men. Some of our young people now live indoors for the fear of being tagged unknown gun man“. He said.
The Chief Whip also reaffirmed his call for a national dialogue chaired by the President.
He noted that the need for a national dialogue is eminent to douse tensions in the country .
“We have come a long way , our entanglement is so deep that all we need is diligent and deliberate efforts to realize the great dividends of diversity and pluralism. Our unity is our strength and can forever live in unity notwithstanding the diversity in culture, religion and tongues. A dialogue that has all stakeholders on the table and the president chairing it will go a long way in dousing tension across regions.
