The attention of the Nigeria
Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media accredited to the
Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth
Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network
on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, on their alleged ultimatum to Nigerians
of Igbo extraction residing in the Northern Nigeria to relocate within three
(3) months.
The Nigeria Police Force
sees this ultimatum by the above mentioned groups as illegal, unlawful, provocative
and capable of causing breach of the peace currently being enjoyed across the
Country.
Consequently, the
Inspector General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police in charge
of Police State Commands in the Country and their supervising Assistant
Inspectors General of Police in the Zonal Commands of the Federation to beef up
security in their respective States and ensure that the alleged ultimatum is
not actualized.
They are under strict
instructions to maintain law and order and to sustain the protection of
fundamental rights of every Nigerian as provided for by the 1999 constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, particularly sections 33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 which are very sacrosanct and must be protected.
Every Nigerian including
the Igbo or any other ethnic group have the rights to life, personal liberty,
freedom of movement and the right to acquire and own immovable property
anywhere in Nigeria. No individual (s) or group (s) under any course, guise or
excuse have the right to issue any ultimatum or warning to compel any Nigerian
to leave or relocate from or to any part of the Country without their wish.
The Nigeria Police Force
is imploring all well meaning Nigerians most especially the People of Igbo
extraction to disregard the alleged ultimatum and go about their lawful
engagements and other activities without fear or apprehension as adequate
security arrangements have been put in place by the Nigeria Police Force and
other security agencies to protect them and their properties across the
Northern States and other parts of the Country.
They should report any
suspicious/untoward happenings observed in their neighbourhoods to the nearest
Police station.
As a result the Force is
calling on Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum,
Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern
Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, to desist forthwith
the ultimatum and any further act that can precipitate tension and cause breach
of the peace anywhere in the Country.
The Nigeria Police Force
is closely monitoring the activities of these groups and will apply full weight
of the law on any violator of the law or anyone who attempt to molest,
mistreat, panic and cause fear in the mind of any other Nigerian anywhere in
the Country.
The Force wishes to advise
traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, parents and guardians
to prevail on their subjects, adherents, children and wards not to allow
themselves to be used by any group (s) to cause disturbance of public peace,
and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians anywhere in the country.
The Nigeria Police Force
will continue to respect the diversity of the people and ensure that the rule
of law prevails everywhere in the Country.
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