Biafra: Don’t Create Boko Haram In The East, IYC Tells FG

THE President of Igbo Youth Congress (IYC), Mr Bright Ezeocha, says he fears that the use of violence against pro-Biafra protesters by the government might give rise to the creation of a terrorist group in the manner of Boko Haram in the East.
Ezeocha said this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos when reacting to the alleged killing of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by security agents on Wednesday.
Ezeocha said he had urged the Federal Government to handle the issue with care by dialoguing with the people to avoid a repeat of history.




He alleged that what led to the creation of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group was the killing of one of their leader, Muhammad Yusuf. He, therefore, raised the fear that the Federal Government was already towing this line again.
“I want to condemn the killing of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). It is uncalled for, and never expected in the 21st century that the law enforcement agencies do not know how to disperse protesters except to open bullet on unarmed protesters,” he said.
He said that the protesters had the legitimate right to express their anger through protest.
The youth leader urged the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu and Ben Oscar unconditionally.

According to him, the Federal Government ought to allow independence of judiciary for the sake of peace and respect court orders and rule of law.
He, however, urged the protesters to shun burning of vehicles and religious houses.
Ezeocha said that the situation could not be curtailed by force, saying ‘They must not use force. It would not do the country good. Let’s go to the roundtable and dialogue. We need to learn from history.”
The IYC leader also cautioned pro-Biafra protesters against inflicting sufferings on the people from the South-East.


According to him, the agitators have to be orderly and peaceful in their protest against marginalisation.
“First of all, let me use this opportunity to condemn what happened on Monday when the pro-Biafra agitators blocked the overhead bridge causing much pains to the people plying that road.
“The protesters should not increase the sufferings of the people in the South-East by blocking roads,” he said.
Ezeocha said that the protest should not deprive people who were going on their legitimate business access to roads.
“There is need for us to be careful, while we are fighting for people’s right. Let us not inflict pains on them. Please, don’t allow our people to go through such pains any more.”
Tribune.