Victor EzejaIn the quest to restore peace and security in Southeast, Nigeria, the Anambra State government has called on all aggrieved agitators in the region to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
The state government also promised to set up centre for rehabilitation and empowerment of repented agitators to enable them contribute to development of the homeland.
The call came after a meeting convened by the representatives of traditional rulers and religious leaders in Anambra State with representatives of the Anambra State Government and the counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to consider ways of restoring normalcy in state.
This was revealed in a joint statement made by the Government of Anambra State and the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops/Archbishops on the State of Insecurity in the Igbo land, signed by His Royal Majesties, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Laurence Agubuzu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council; His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Opoko, Secretary, Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops; and Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the Anambra State Government.
The state government urged all agitators and victims of insecurity in the Southeast region over the past three years to come to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which will soon be inaugurated to look into remote and immediate causes of the agitations, killings and destruction of properties in the region and come up with sustainable solutions to end the skirmishes and restore the region to it’s peaceful state for progress and development.
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It recalled that the joint body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops/Archbishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution had in October 2021 called for restoration of genuine peace in the region based on justice, equity, fairness, respect and mutual understanding; and also the invitation by the new Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo during his inauguration address on March 17, 2022, to all non-state actors to review their goals and methods of agitation against marginalisation to avoid taking a destructive path.
The joint body said it had repeatedly supported the call for release of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention in the Department of State Services (DSS) facility since July 2021, reason for the agitation that led to declaration of sit-at-home in the Southeast by IPOB.
It pointed out that the ongoing Monday sit-at-home has evidently become counterproductive to the struggle and noted that even IPOB has since announced suspension of the order even as some miscreants have continued to enforce it.
The state government warned all individuals and groups masquerading as members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) causing mayhem in the name of enforcing sit-at-home, to desist from that or face full wrath of the law.
They also declared Monday, April 4th, 2022 as a day of prayer for peace for Igbo land starting from 11:00 am in all churches and prayer houses to mark the end of sit-at-home in the region, and urged all both home and abroad to join and observe it.
“We implore Ndi Anambra and all religious congregations to join in this important day of Prayer. It will take place within the premises of the Cathedrals, Churches and prayer houses across ala Igbo by 11:00am and we enjoin the faithful wherever you may be across Nigeria, or abroad to pause and join in fellowship as we seek the face of our Father.
“It is the expectation of the Joint Body that the conclusion of the prayer session shall mark the end of Sit-At-Home in Anambra State in particular and the Southeast region in general,” the statement added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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