Ohanaeze Youth Council, the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the listing by Amnesty International, of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, among those who allegedly committed extra-judicial killings in the fight against Boko Haram.
The group warned that it would resist any attempt to unjustly antagonize and prosecute Ihejirika for doing a good work in his service to the nation.
Amnesty International had urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, to investigate some former and serving service chiefs, including Ihejirika, for war crimes.
But in a statement issued in Umuahia by National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group described Amnesty’s position on Ihejirika as “utter rubbish.”
Isiguzoro alleged that some Northern leaders were behind the action, and described such people as ingrates who wanted to rubbish some military leaders who put their lives on the line to defend them and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“The last insult Ndigbo can take from those who think they are the owners of Nigeria is to allow them touch General Ihejirika, who served his father land meritoriously.
“What Ihejirika and other military personnel who staked their lives fighting Boko Haram deserve is commendation and not politically- motivated prosecution.
“Where was Amnesty International when Boko Haram fighters were annihilating Christians and Moslems in Northern Nigeria? Where was Amnesty International when Boko Haram was throwing bombs inside churches, mosques, markets, motor parks and killing innocent Nigerians?
“What efforts has Amnesty International made to bring sponsors of Boko Haram to book? Or will they claim they did not hear when some people threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable should ex- President Goodluck Jonathan win the 2011 presidential election,” the statement read.
The group accused Amnesty International of being “biased, hypocritical and playing double standards.” It urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard the report if he must lead a united Nigeria.
“Buhari should choose between leading a united Nigeria and supervising the fragmentation of Nigeria,” the group said.
