It has been suggested to the leadership of the Igbo town unions to use this year’s Christmas and New Year to tackle the issues of security and frequent staying in that have harmed the South-East region’s economy and social life.
They were advised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to talk to the young people in their respective areas about the value of hard work and the need to avoid attitudes that encourage getting rich quickly.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the group expressed its confusion over how the South East, which had previously been the most peaceful region, had suddenly turned into a hotbed of crime and violence.
The statement reads:
“The South-East of Nigeria was adjudged the most peaceful and serene geo-political zone until April 5, 2021, when hoodlums or the unknown gunmen attacked and overwhelmed the Correctional Centre, Owerri, and released a total of 1,844 prison inmates.
“Ohanaeze had interrogated the strategic capacity of the local non-state actors to overwhelm a highly fortified Correctional centre and discharged a total of 1,844 inmates without any arrest. Since that episode, the Igbo are confronted with various forms of insecurity.
“Added to the menace of herdsmen-farmers clashes, we now have kidnappers and community invaders in many parts of Igboland. Hundreds of lives have been lost to these recent developments. This is very appalling and unbecoming. There must be a drastic step to counter the narrative.
“There is no gainsaying the rampant sit-at-home in the South-East has done incalculable damage to the Igbo economy.
“Evidence has shown that the Igbo adversaries are happy that we have chosen to face the barrel of the gun inwards.
“It is inconceivable that a group of people will decide to cripple its economy. This is an unfortunate exercise and must be addressed at the town’s meeting.
“That bad men thrive because good men go to sleep is an age-old statement founded on truth, reason and experience”.
