The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned that investments by South-Easterners in Lagos State are not protected. The Biafran group also opined that it would amount to falling into “deception for Igbos to continue investing in Lagos”
This was communicated in a statement issued by the IPOB media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, on Monday. The statement read in part: “The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu has been drawn to the deceptive letter from a group of faceless Yoruba Leaders and Stakeholders calling on Igbo communities in Lagos State for a dialogue.”
“Ndigbo must not fall into any deception to continue investments in Lagos State, where their investments are not protected.”
The group stated that it was not against dialogue between Yorubas and Igbos in Lagos. Rather, it stated that “IPOB will object to any dialogue that is intended to lure Ndigbo into continuing to invest in the hostile environment of Lagos State.”
IPOB claims that Nigeria has rejected Ndigbo “with exclusivity and ethnic bigotry. Ndigbo have lost millions of investments and lives in the Northern and Western regions of Nigeria.”
The statement further read; “In the North, Ndigbo are always the victims of any religious and political riots during which Northerners destroy, loot, and burn down businesses and properties belonging to Ndigbo.”
“Recently, in the Western Region particularly in Lagos State, Biafrans businesses and properties have been targeted by the Lagos state Government criminals, and we will no longer tolerate for our people to continue investing in Yoruba land.”
“Lagos State is not Igboland. Lagos State government has demolished properties and investment of Ndigbo. Many Igbo dominated markets in Lagos have either been demolished or burnt down and taken over by the Lagos State government. On the basis of the aforementioned, any Igbo person investing in the Northern and Western Regions of Nigeria needs DNA tests,” the statement added.