Police Declares Arewa Youths Ultimatum On Igbos Illegal, Unlawful

AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday described the three months ultimatum issued Nigerians of Igbos extraction by the Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network as illegal, unlawful, provocative and capable of causing breach of the peace currently being enjoyed across the Country.

Accordingly, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has directed all Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands in the Country and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the Zonal Commands of the federation to beef up security in their respective states and ensure that the alleged ultimatum is not actualized.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Jimoh Moshood said the IGP has therefore directed the Commissioners of Police and Zonal Inspector-Generals of Police to ensure strict maintenance of law and order and to sustain the protection of fundamental rights of every Nigerian as provided for by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,

The Police boss particularly stressed that sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the constitution are sacrosanct and must be protected.

The Police authority which was reacting to publications in the media credited to the coalition of the Arewa Youths groups, said every Nigerian including the Igbo or any other ethnic group have the rights to life, personal liberty, freedom of movement and the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.

According to the IGP; “No individual(s) or group(s) under any course, guise or excuse have the right to issue any ultimatum or warning to compel any Nigerian to leave or relocate from or to any part of the country without their wish.

“The Nigeria Police Force is imploring all well-meaning Nigerians most especially the People of Igbo extraction to disregard the alleged ultimatum and go about their lawful engagements and other activities without fear or apprehension as adequate security arrangements have been put in place by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect them and their properties across the Northern States and other parts of the Country.

“They should report any suspicious/untoward happenings observed in their neighbourhoods to the nearest Police station.

The Police equally warned the coalition of Arewa Youths to desist forthwith from the ultimatum and any further act that can precipitate tension and cause breach of the peace anywhere in the Country.

“The Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring the activities of these groups and will apply full weight of the law on any violator of the law or anyone who attempt to molest, mistreat, panic and cause fear in the mind of any other Nigerian anywhere in the country.

“The Force wishes to advise traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their subjects, adherents, children and wards not to allow themselves to be used by any group (s) to cause disturbance of public peace, and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians anywhere in the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to respect the diversity of the people and ensure that the rule of law prevails everywhere in the Country,” Idris stressed