Ohanaeze Youths Seek Amnesty For Eastern Security Network

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has called on the Federal Government to begin moves to grant amnesty to Eastern Security Network (ESN) a wing of IPOB the same way amnesty to bandits has occupied a front burner in national discourse.

The council also called on the federal government to recruit the officers of ESN into mainstream community vigilante network.

Speaking with press men after the stakeholders’ meeting of Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC) on security held in Owerri on Tuesday 23rd February 2021, the National President of OYC, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka noted that Nigeria has reach its peak of insecurity, stressing that the best and workable anti-dote is to grant amnesty to the ESN.

“Nigeria has definitely reached its climax in ethnic crisis as a result to the movement of Fulani herdsmen criminal activities all over the country. With the crisis in Northern Nigeria as a result of bandits, kidnappers and Boko Haram terrorists including reports of Fulani herdsmen clash in the West. If more confrontation of the military against pro-Biafrans and Eastern Security Network continue, it will not just break up Nigeria but the crisis will become uncontrollable,” Igboayaka noted.

In a statement signed by Chukwuemeka Chimerue, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to OYC National President, he advised the Governors of Igbo extraction to immediately initiate amnesty programme with the Nigerian Government for members of ESN to save Alaigbo from an already foreseen doom waiting to befall Igboland and Nigeria at large.

The release read in part, “Comrade Igboayaka argued that if ESN have gone against the law of Nigeria by carrying arms, the bandits have also gone against the law by also carrying arms, therefore, the Governors of Igbo extraction should negotiate with ESN/IPOB and treat them the way Northern governors are treating Bandits by negotiating with them to drop their arms.

“He further warned Governors of Igbo extraction that any unjust treatment or military confrontation against members of ESN and IPOB in any manner again, may lead to total population of Igbo youths and Ndigbo at large to rise in disapproval against them.

“He stated that “what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander. The youths of Hausa/Fulani who engage in banditry and the youths in Igbo land who engage in self-defense through Eastern Security Network and self-determination struggle must be treated equally with utmost carefulness.”

“Nigeria government should quickly approve a compulsory community Vigilante Security Network in all communities in Nigeria to complement the efforts of federal security agents,” Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka added.

He further called upon Nigeria State Security Service (SSS) to advice Nigeria government and governors of Igbo extraction to move into action on the above solution for a workable ethnic reintegration, harmony, peace and sustainable cohabitation among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.