The Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Friday said it was in support of the proscription of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other pro-Biafra groups by the South-East Governors Forum.
OYC, in a statement signed by the National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy National President, Dr Arthur Obiora, Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, Dr. Kingsley Dozie and Barrister Dikeadi John, said the action of the governors averted further loss of lives, and breakdown of the law and order, in the South-East.
The proscription of the activities of the pro-Biafra groups also prevented the declaration of a state of emergency in the zone, the Ohanaeze youths noted.
The group said it was in support of any action taken to address the “age-long marginalization of Ndigbo in Nigeria” as long as such action does not lead to loss of lives.
“The decision of the governors was the need of the moment, to avoid a declaration of state of emergency in the South-East.
“We are saddened by the level of confrontation between the Nigerian Army and the Biafra agitators and the consequent death of many Igbo youths in the process.
“We are also sad over the reported death of a policeman during this unfortunate but avoidable incident.
“We are equally aware that the South-East Governors were also in discussion with the agitators before the military launched its action.
“However, considering the level of destruction and ruins that could have erupted, we applaud the South-East governors for rising to the occasion. It was indeed the need of the moment.
“We cannot afford to continue to lose the life of our people, in addition to over three million killed during the Civil war,” the pan-Igbo youth group said.
OYC, in the same breath, demanded an immediate restructuring of the country.
