Obigbo Massacre: IYF reacts, issues 48 hours ultimatum to Gov. Wike
The Indigenous Youth Forum (IYF), has drawn the attention of the International Communities, stating that the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has declared war on all people of Igbo extraction in the State.
The group stated this in regards to the wanton execution of Igbos by men of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State, under the orders of the state Governor.
In a statement on Saturday, the General spokesperson for IYF, Hon. Ebube Nwagbara noted that the planned extermination of Igbos in Rivers State is in regards to tribal hatred and political reasons.
Nwagbara also said that the action has claimed the lives of 28 Igbo sons and daughters, 33 missing, while 17, including women and children, shot and wounded within four days.
The group went on to issue a 48-hours ultimatum to the Governor, asking for the release of those who were arrested and abducted by the security operatives, and also, bodies of those executed, adding that failure to meet these demands will force them to take necessary actions.
The Statement reads, “We, the Indigenous Youth Forum (IYF), is using this medium to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians and members of the international community to the ongoing massacre of Ndigbo in Rivers State by Nigerian soldiers acting on the order from Governor Nyesom Wike, who has declared war on Ndigbo under the pretext of hunting members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
”For tribal hatred and political reasons, Wike chose to exterminate Ndigbo in Rivers State using the heinous charges he concocted against IPOB (who are the majority of Ndigbo in Rivers State) for the violence that erupted across the state and nationwide during the #EndSARS protest.
”According to our record so far, this war against Ndigbo in Rivers State has claimed the lives of 28 Igbo sons and daughters in four days, 33 people are missing and 17, including women and children, are shot and wounded.
”It is worth noting that this is not much different from the anti-Igbo pogrom of 1966 where a series of massacres were committed against Igbo in northern Nigeria.
”Ndigbo did not plan the #EndSARS protest, nor did they start the protest, violence and destruction that followed the protest across the country, so if not out of hatred for Ndigbo, we see no reason why Wike would blame Ndigbo in the case of Rivers State when there are other ethnic groups who participated in the protest which he claim was hijacked by Ndigbo under the aegis of IPOB.
”The ongoing arrest, dehumanization and execution of Ndigbo in Rivers State, on the orders of Governor Nyesom Wike, is a provocation that could lead to a tribal war if not ended now because we the Igbo youths will no longer fold our hands and watch our people being slaughtered in any form whatsoever while their own people and others feel comfortable and safe in our homes.
“On that note, we are giving Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State Government 48 hours to release those arrested and missing, and also bring out bodies of those executed.
“Failure to comply with this within this period will force us to take the necessary actions.” The statement concluded.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
