The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rose from a meeting on Sunday and declared that it would use everything available to defend its people in the face of worsening insecurity in the country.
Briefing journalists after the meeting of its highest decision making body, Ime-Obi, held at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, Ohanaeze warned that Ndigbo should not be taken for granted.
The President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who read the resolution of the Ime-Obi, said it would no longer watch while its people were slaughtered.
The communique read in part, “Ohanaeze hereby states categorically that Ndigbo will not stand by and watch its people slaughtered. Ohanaeze will defend every soul in Igbo land.
“Ohanaeze hereby nominates, activates and directs the council of elders made up of reputable Igbo personalities and leaders to engage Ohanaeze state governors immediately on prevailing security challenges.
“Finally, Ohanaeze reminds Ndigbo that there had been difficulties in security in our history in Nigeria. In all these, our determination to protect our home lands and families against aggressors had never wavered and we have always relied on our ingenuity and vigilance to ensure our survival. Let nobody take us for granted.”
Those in attendance included Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Mr Peter Obi, Chief Achike Udenwa, Prof. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Hon Tobi Okechukwu, and Dr Walter Ofonagoro.
