*Calls on Police to arrest those behind it

*Asures Igbos, others of their safety as it calls for an end to protests

By Dapo Akinrefon

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, on Saturday, called on all Nigerians living legitimately in any part of Yorubaland to entertain no fear about their safety or be afraid of being forced out of the area.

The assurance was contained in a Statement by the organization’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi, while reacting to a post by a non-descript social handle tagged ‘LagosPedia’ which warned Igbos living in Lagos and Southwest Nigeria to leave the area within one month.

Afenifere, however, dismissed such a threat, declaring that those behind the unwarranted, provocative and divisive campaign “are out to cause disaffection among Ndigbo and Yoruba.

“Those who are being called to be ousted from the Southwest are bandits and unscrupulous herders who are making life difficult for our farmers and rural women. In this wise, our Igbo brothers and sisters living in Lagos and the Southwest should not entertain any fear of expulsion. We are all Nigerians.

“In view of the serious danger such a call for expulsion poses to peaceful co-existence, Afenifere is hereby calling on the security agencies, Police especially, to round up those behind this unpatriotic move as contained in the quoted LagosPedia post. 

“None of them is singled out for harassment. Only people who are criminally minded have reasons to be afraid. And this is not restricted to non-Yoruba people. Whether you are Yoruba or non-Yoruba, if you contravene the laws of the land, you would be appropriately dealt with in accordance with the rule of law. Otherwise, you have no reason to fear at all, whether you are an indigene or non-indigene.

“It is on record that Lagos State Government, as is the case with other governments in the Southwest, is doing everything possible to provide for the citizens of the state without regard to tribe, religion or any other coloration. It is therefore very insensitive and mischievous of any person or group to come up with any insinuation laden with ethnic hatred especially at this time that tension is high in the country.

“We, along with many other well-meaning Nigerians, had earlier called for restraint concerning the protest. We are hereby reiterating our advice to the protesters to put an end to the protests so as to minimize losses”.