Northern group calls for calm, peace in Imo

Northern group calls for calm, peace in Imo

By Amos Tauna, Kaduna 

The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), has called for peace and calmness between Northern youths and Eastern youths and bring lasting solutions to the barbaric, inhuman, unhealthy and dangerous unwholesome activities from unpatriotic South Easterners.

The group also called for justice for those that suffered any kind of financial and human losses.

 In a statement issued by the National Coordinator of the group, Dr Abdullahi Awwal Aliyu lamented the unfortunate development in Avu Community of Imo State going round in the social media that was addressed by Alhaji Auwal Baba Saidu Sulaiman, the Sarkin Hausawa, Imo State.

The statement further explained that the traditional ruler and Sarkin Hausawa of Northern Communities in Imo State, has dismissed the alleged attack on the Northerners dwelling in the Avu Community, describing it as rumour and misleading. 

He added that the reports are misleading, unfounded, divisive and aimed at disrupting national peace and unity, adding that the Northern Community has never been attacked by the State government or its agents.

The National Leadership of the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), felt disturbed about this unfolding development, especially as narrated by the Sarkin Hausawa of Northern Community in Imo State.

In another development through press release, Eze Micheal Okere, Duruihekaibeya VIII of Avu Kingdom of Imo State, disassociated themselves from the barbaric act that took place at the Hausa Community Market in Avu on Friday, 28th July, 2023 and condemned it in its totality.

 He said that they have good and cordial relationship with the Hausa Community, and will not think of the evil act  that was perpetrated on the Avu market traders and shared in their grief, urging them to remain calm while they seek solutions to remedy the damage.

Though the Sarkin Hausawa denied what happened to the Hausa Community in Avu Market, the statement  explained that information reaching them confirmed the conflict affected loss of properties worth millions of Naira. 

It stated that it is disheartening that some unscrupulous elements have constituted themselves into maiming and killing of innocent Northern lives.

It said  that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, at a news conference on Sunday denied the allegations that the three Markets had been set ablaze. Instead CP Barde said that an inferno had gutted the Avu Market.

According to the statement, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma expressed concern about the unfortunate crisis in Avu Market, while promising to pay compensation to the affected victims. 

The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) called for an independent Seven man committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate crises and make recommendation that would wbe forwarded to the appropriate authority for quick action.