The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has warned that any attack targeting of the northern communities in Imo state or systematic dehumanization, profiling or alienation would be retaliated henceforth.
The Spokesperson of the group, Suleiman Abdul-Azeez, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in a statement issued Sunday, decried the alleged unprovoked attacks and eviction of northerners by officials of Imo state government.
It stated: “We note how armed detachments of the Nigerian Army, the police and assortments of armed thugs were unleashed by the Governor with clear orders to destroy, demolish, burn every structure and assets belonging to the peaceful northern settlers of three communities from Thursday 27th to Friday 28th July, 2023.”
It pointed out that the action was not only immoral and illegal, but also abhorrent to the sensibilities, ordinary decency and therefore unacceptable.
The CNG noted that it has taken stock of events unfolding in Imo State in the past two days, with alleged clear orders to destroy, demolish, burn every structure and assets belonging to the peaceful northern settlers.
The state-sponsored arsonists who arrived without prior notice, heavily armed with assorted arms including an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), bodily saying the the “northerners should leave their land”, sacked Nakede Number One and completely destroyed 1300 shops and houses with the over 2500 inhabitants displaced, dispossessed and run out of legitimate businesses.
“At Abu Junction Ama Hausa, the largest Northern settlement with a population of 4,000 settlers, the arsonists destroyed a total of 3500 shops, 1,500 houses, forced 150 persons back to the North while rendering thousands of others homeless with no means of livelihood.
“Arungo Park, Onisha Road with total population of over 3000 was also attacked, completely sacked and the residents displaced. It is noteworthy that both Abu junction and Nakede Number One which were sacked, have a history of 11 years of existence and Arugo Park six years.”
The norther group stressed that the North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action was not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind.
It said was simply because of their respect for others and deep commitment to national integration.
The group noted that the latest organised arson in Imo State left in its wake thousands of shops and houses completely burnt, properties worth billions of Naira destroyed and looted, while thousands of northerners living and conducting legitimate businesses forcefully ejected, displaced and deprived.
The CNG, however, declared that ‘enough is enough”, saying the North woulf no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks, adding that it henceforth be forced to react coin for coin to every provocation and unwarranted attacks by the Igbo and other self-appointed enemies anywhere.
It added: “We reiterate the call on Northerners living in Imo State and all unfriendly parts of the South-East to consider leaving the region for the sake of their lives and properties over policies pursued by the likes of Hope Uzodimma.
“The call on the Northerners to return to the North was borne out of the realisation that their lives had been put at risk due to the recent actions perpetrated in Imo on the orders of the state governor.”