AYPS Assures Ndigbo, Others of Safety In Northern Nigeria
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Northern Youths on the aegis of Arewa Youths for Peace and Security (AYPS) has assured Igbos and other non-northerners living in the 19 Northern States of the country of the safety of their lives and properties.
AYPS while disowning a viral video that emanated from an unknown group asking for the breakup of Nigeria owing to agitation by IPOB for a sovereign Biafra, urged Igbos to disregard a so-called quit notice issued to them
The group advised security operatives to arrest anyone fanning the embers of discord in the country, saying that such agitators are not speaking the minds of Northerners.
National Chairman of the group, Alhaji Salihu Muhammad Magaji, who stated the position of the group at a press conference in Bauchi, also said that those speaking carelessly about disintegration of Nigeria are on their own and should be arrested by security operatives for violation of the constitution of Nigeria.
Magaji also said that “The 30 days’ notice” given to Ndigbos to quit the Northern part of the country by a faceless group is a joke, stressing nothing will happen to any Ndigbo or any Southerner residing in any Northern part of the country and therefore urged them to remain calm and continue with their normal life.
He called on Southern Governors and other leaders of the region to tell their kinsmen residing in the North to remain calm, assuring that all Ndigbo and other ethnic groups will be protected.
The AYPS chairman also said his group will continue to sensitize northern youths on the need to live in peace and be their brothers’ keepers, adding that they will continue to caution youths against retaliation or doing anything that will destabilize the unity of the country.
He said; “Northern youths are always ready to protect all ethnic groups residing in the region. Nigeria is a great nation because of its diversity irrespective of its present challenges and we are better united in peace than disintegration.
“Nigerians should harness the inherent benefits in the nation’s diversity to promote sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the country. To truly achieve this, Nigeria as a nation, must continue to promote justice, equity and fairness among the diverse groups in the country”.
On the social media messages of hate speech and calling for the disintegration of the country, Magaji said that such agitators are not speaking the minds of intelligent people of Northern Nigeria.
In his words; “They are on their own. We must caution those who are agitating for the breakup of the country against such agitation. It is important for our people to understand that the unity of this country (Nigeria) must not be compromised if they refused, let the security operatives arrest them.
“What is important is that we must continue to promote justice, equity and fairness among the diverse groups (ethnic nationalities) in the country in order to promote sustainable development in the country,” he stressed.
