The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed concern over what it described as killing and maiming of peaceful and non-violent pro-Biafra agitators demanding the release of their detained leaders, Nnamdi Kanu and Ben Onwuka, and others who were arrested and detained during peaceful protests in major cities of the South East and South South.

The youths called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Department of State Security and the Police to release their incarcerated leaders based on bail conditions earlier granted. The group, however, said that the lasting solution to the on-going agitation for Biafra is implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference.

The call was made at Awka, by the Deputy National Chairman of the youth wing, Mr Arthur Obiorah, in press conference, after rising from a joint-meeting with other Igbo youth groups.

The statement read: “The Federal Government should, instead of carrying out anti-social war on the peace-loving Biafra agitators, make conscientious study on why the Igbo youths and the rest easterners are spoiling for the restoration of the nation of Biafra. “President Buhari should commence a negotiation that may see all the Nigerian nationalities meeting and dialoguing on how to come out of the present political impasse.

“The Federal Government should toe the part of dialogue, as a tactical way of untangling herself from the billowing political and security instabilities threatening the nation.”

Mr Obiorah also flayed some Igbo elders whom he said use “provocative and seditious” language against the pro-Biafra agitators, noting that such people were not representing the Igbo nation, but their own selfish interest. He urged elders of the South East region to unite and speak with one voice in the interest of the people.

“We are committed to peace, justice, equity and fairness and call on all Igbo and Nigerians to embrace same for our general good,” the group said.

They, however, called on President Mohammadu Buhari to implement the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference, adding that such gesture would be the starting point for the co-existence of Nigerians.

•Photo shows pro-Biafra protesters.

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