By Shakirudeen Bankole
TENSIONS are gradually easing up between the Yorubas and Igbos in Lagos, as a conspiracy theory linking the Easterners to the wanton destruction of properties in Lagos, as a result of the nationwide Anti-Police Brutality protest that turned violent, are now being vehemently debunked by Igbo ethnic, political and socio-cultural leaders.
After 12 days of peaceful demonstration, the #EndSARS protest, unfortunately snowballed into mayhem, with several lives lost and properties destroyed.
Most properties destroyed in Lagos, especially, belongs to either the government or the former governor and national leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Although IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has denied being behind the destruction, the development has further drawn widespread condemnation over his group, with the latest denouncement coming from the Ohaneze Ndigbo Group, and political leaders in the regions.
Rivers State Governor, Nysom Wike has banned the activities of the group in his state, saying they constitute huge security threats to lives and properties.
Reacting to the incident and insinuations that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) might have orchestrated the attack, with the intention of disgracing Tinubu, one Mr. Adeyinka Grandson, Spokesman for a group called Young Yoruba Worldwide, issued a 48 hour eviction ultimatum threat on Friday, October 24, to all the Igbos in the metropolis to vacate the region.
According to him, together with his team, they would coordinate a very deadly attack, something similar to what was experienced in Ore, Akure, Ondo State in 1967, during the civil war, against the easterners, should they turn a deaf hear to the warning.
The news sent shockwaves across the country, as many Igbos were seen engaging in panicky travel arrangement, and frantic communications with loved ones back home.
In an exclusive interview with The New Diplomat, Barrister Dotun Hassan (Aare) President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW), warned Nigerians to not play into the ploys of “some powerful forces within and outside the government that are drumming for another ethnic war in the country” for their ulterior motives.
Hassan said, Yoruba is not at war with the Igbo, Hausa or Fulani, but against social injustice being entrenched by Police Brutality in the country.
According to him, “the war that Nigerian youths were aiming at during the #EndSARS protest was to ensure good governance, and optimal utilization of our human capital resources for the greater good of majority of Nigerians.”
Dismissing Adeyinka’s threat, the legal luminary said he has met with the officials of the Ohaneze Indigbo Youth Council President-General, and they have even further consolidated on the existing mutual relationship between the two socio-ethnic groups.
“Therefore, since we have no other country except Nigeria, any act or group of people who are not promoting unity, patriotism, peace, and national development in the country at this critical point in time, should be treated as the enemy of the state,” he advised.
Also dispelling the conspiracy that Igbos were behind the destruction of targeted properties in Lagos during the #EndSARS mayhem, , President-General , Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, advocated for stronger tie between the Yorubas and Igbos across the region.
The group, which demanded the immediate arrest of Adeyinka by the Inspector General of Police through Interpol and United Kingdom (UK) law enforcement agencies, also “implored all Nigerians in entire Yoruba land to go about their lawful duties and living without any fear of molestation and attacks” whatsoever.
The also sued for love, peace and harmony amongst all other existing tribes and cultures in the country.
