DSS, Police, Monarch, Others Meet In Lagos Over IPOB

Irked by the civil disorder of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-east and South-south regions of the country, security stakeholders have met in Lagos to map out plans in order to forestall similar occurrence in the state.

The stakeholders, which include representatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, monarch, leaders of the three major tribes in the country, met weekend, at the palace of Ojora of Ijora land and Iganmu kingdom, HRM. Oba Abdufatai Oyeyinka Aromire,

where they all pledged to unanimously rise against any act that could cause crisis and shatter the relative peace in Apapa, Iganmu area of the state and its environs.

Describing the areas as cosmopolitan, which inhabit people of diverse tribes from across the country and beyond, they contended that residents have cohabited peacefully and intermarried and would not allow the IPOB crisis in the east to cause disaffection amongst them.

They however warned the youths not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble in the state through the use of hate speeches, vowing caught in the act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

In his address at the occasion, the Officer in- charge of DSS, Apapa office, Chuks Chukwumerije informed that all the security agencies have mapped out plans to forestall the spread of the IPOB crisis to Lagos and also ensure the safety of lives and property in the areas.

Describing the IPOB members as misguided youths, he warned anyone with sympathy for them not to allow it degenerate into crisis in Lagos, but continue to cherish and maintain the peaceful coexistence with their neighbours.

“We are here today to meet with you because of the activities of the recalcitrant youths called IPOB that is causing disorder in the country.

Don’t allow what is happening in Aba and Portharcourt to spread to Lagos, we should be mindful that Apapa is a cosmopolitan area made up of many tribes, we should see ourselves as brothers and don’t refrain from inflammatory speeches that can cause the breach of security.

We the security agencies are doing everything possible to ensure that lives and property is safe in the state”, he stressed.

Speaking at the occasion, the DPO of Amukoko Police Station, SP. Charles warned that the police would not fold his arms and allow miscreants under any guise to turn any part of the state into theatre of war.

His words,” We are not unmindful about people who are sympathetic with IPOB people, we want to warn them that they should toe the path of peace because security agencies are fully on top of the situation and will not allow the spread of the Aba crisis in any part of Lagos”.

Also speaking at the occasion, the DPO of Badia division,SP.Kayode Ayeni ,who spoke on jungle justice cautioned residents against the act, saying many innocent persons have been killed in this regard.

Warning that it amounts to taking laws into ones hands, Ayeni pointed out that nobody has the right to kill or maim a suspected criminal, adding that such person must be reported to security agencies for the law to take its course.

He therefore appealed to religious leaders to use their churches and mosques to preach peaceful co-existence among their followers and issues that can make the country remain one.

In his contribution, the Mai- Kanuribe of Lagos and Seriki Hausawa of Apapa,HRH. Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed gave the assurance of the northerners of remaining peaceful, just as he urged all the leaders to shun tribalism and impartiality.

The Ojora of Ojora kingdom,HRM.Oba Abdulfatai Aromire, who also spoke at the occasion, warned the various ethnic leaders to shun discrimination and also cautioned against transfer of aggression or revenge by those whose relations have been hunted in one state or the other.

The Eze Ndigbo of Apapa in his contribution, distanced members of the Igbo community in Apapa from the activities of IPOB, describing them as pure businessmen and women, who are in the state for greener pasture.