the motive behind last Monday’s bomb attack on a motor park in Kano which claimed the lives of more that 75 passengers was to cause another civil war even as the Federal Government warned that it will no longer tolerate wanton destruction of lives and property in the country.
This was even as traditional rulers in the South East geopolitical zone, yesterday, in Enugu, urged Igbo to remain calm over the bombing which claimed the lives of many people from the area.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo had said on Wednesday that it could no longer guarantee the response of its people to the continued killings of Ndigbo in some northern states.
The NLC and Emir spoke at separate occasions in Kano and Abuja respectively.
Alhaji Bayero who spoke while receiving the visiting Federal Government delegation to his palace noted that there was no other reason behind this ungodly act (bombing) than to create tension and cause chaos in the country even as the NLC expressed optimism that, “we will overcome them if we refuse to fall for their ploy, by not carrying out reprisal attacks.”
Bayero said, “I feel saddened to hear everyday that somebody has been killed here or there; yet we cannot figure out what is happening, and who is behind this. I feel the Federal Government should do more to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous acts to free Nigeria and indeed, our state from the festering mess.
“Something is missing in this whole circle of violence, and I feel that government should do more to fish out the real people behind this orgy of violence. Nigerians were living harmoniously both in Kano and I believe all over the federation regardless of tribe and religion but all of a sudden, we now find ourselves in this mess. Government should wake up and confront the challenge.’’
The Emir who was a victim of a recent attack by some unidentified gunmen, added that, “in my assessment, Nigeria is in a serious situation; the killings everyday of citizenry will certainly not augur well for the nation and that is why I believe that somebody is behind this which demands that government must fish out whoever is behind it now.’’
He, however, expressed concern over the non-implementation of suggestions submitted to the Presidency by the Northern Elders some eight months ago despite the assurances by the government to do so.
The Northern Elders through Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule had earlier complained to Bayero over the non-implementation of its position paper submitted to the Presidency on ways to resolve the crisis in the North.
The elders who visited the Emir included Justice Mustahpa Akanbi, Yahaya Kwande, Sheik Lemu, Paul Unongo, Air Marshal Lamis Dagash, John Wash Pam, Sani Zangon Daura, General Abdulrahaman Dambazau among others.
But, the NLC in a statement asked Nigerians not to be intimidated by the various bombs and suicide attacks, saying that the masterminds were evil forces who were incapable of advancing any cause except evil.
Labour also urged Nigerians to rise in unison and with common accord to preach peace and unity in the country, as according to it, “these are difficult moments indeed but we must rise to the challenge in the hope that in the end, good shall triumph over evil.”
The NLC statement was signed by its Acting President, Comrade Promise Adewusi.
Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who briefed newsmen, said the council advised Ndigbo to remain calm till further notice, adding that the monarchs had dispatched emissaries to Kano to obtain the real number of Igbo casualties.
He said the council had also initiated moves to reach President Jonathan and lamented what he described as persistent acts of violence in Kano and other parts of the north on Igbo, warning that if the government failed to guarantee the security of lives especially of Igbo, the people would resort to self-help.
“We will set up machinery to investigate the incident to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the tragedy,” Ilomuanya said.
A statement signed by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, read, “We condemn the sponsors and perpetrators of the continued cold blooded murder of fellow Nigerians. The Igbo nation is taking the heaviest toll on the casualty list and Ndigbo are grossly pained by this organised pogrom on her people.”
