The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Worldwide, OYC, has expressed outrage over the alleged killing of about four Igbo traders in Lagos by some military personnel.
It was earlier reported that there was a fracas in the Ladipo Market of Lagos State when armed military men stormed the market and had a confrontation with Igbo traders.
Sources hinted that the incident was caused by a military man who had insisted that an engine he bought over 12 months ago be changed, claiming that it was not in a good condition.
He was said to have invited other soldiers who opened fire in the marketplace and killed about four persons.
The military, however, claimed only one person died.
In a statement made available to Our Source, on Thursday, the OYC President-General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike described the incident as highly provocative.
He said “we are so devastated at the avoidable tragedy which befalls hapless Igbo traders at the Ladipo Market in Lagos State.
“It is another sad reminder that Ndigbo has remained scapegoats and sacrificial lambs to keep Nigeria together. How do we describe the situation where the life of an Igbo man must be shed by security agencies at the slightest opportunity?
“Nigerian Military is in the habit of displaying rare bravery only when Igbo youths are involved, but have become helpless in the face of banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism being carried out by Fulani herdsmen across the country.
“This is a killing too many and we are not going to let it go unchallenged, every person who played a role, either directly or indirectly in the killing of those breadwinners of their families must be made to pay dearly.”
“Already, we have set up a committee, headed by the Secretary-General of OYC, Comrade Obinna Achuonye, with the Coordinator of OYC in Lagos, as secretary. Their responsibility is to investigate further and furnish the OYC with details of the incident, lives lost, properties destroyed and looted, among other things, as well as the involvement of the military officers.
“We are going to escalate the matter to the highest level, even if it entails taking it outside the country,” the group vowed.
