By Anayo Okoli
GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has warned that there was a limit to endurance, following attacks on Igbos in the post-election crisis that erupted in some northern states of the country, and called on political leaders in the affected areas to call their followers to order.

Orji, who condemned the attack on peoples’ lives and properties, including those of people from the South East, said there was no basis for the riot.

He also expressed happiness on the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the election he described as the “freest and fairest in Nigeria”.

The governor called on political, traditional and religious leaders in the crisis areas to protect Ndigbo so they would not be victims as in past crises.

He said the South East governors had directed and were ensuring that there was no reprisal attack, while also ensuring adequate protection of Northerners living in the zone.

He said: “What is happening is unexpected, no cause for this at all. The political leaders should call their people to order in the interest of this country.

“We don’t want any reprisal attack. While they are killing our people, we are protecting their people. There are Northerners here but we give order to protect them. Nobody has monopoly of violence. All South East governors are fighting to protect Northerners; I expect the political leaders there to call their people to order.

“There is a limit to endurance. Endurance has a limit; we cannot continue to be sacrificial lambs. Northern leaders in these areas where these things are happening should come out and call their people to order and also protect our people.”

Governor Orji, however, appealed to all Abians and other Igbos in the affected states to take refuge in Army and Police barracks for their safety, while the Federal Government tackled the issue.

Meanwhile, Abia is calm. Even in Umuahia with a sizable Hausa population and Lokpa, where there is a cattle market, social and commercial activities were going on as people were only interested in savouring the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in last Saturday’s election.

Though there was calm, Vanguard learnt that soldiers, led by Brigadier-General Sylvester Audu,  have been placed on alert in case of any disturbance.

They have intensified their patrol of all the crannies of the state, with frequent patrol of Umuahia and Aba, the commercial capital of the state.