Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has
declared support for the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB.
NEF leader, Wantaregh Paul
Unongo, gave the position of the group while addressing journalists on Thursday
in Abuja.
He said having witnessed
terrorism over the years, the North was against the “emerging terrorism” in the
South-East.
Unongo said the NEF would not
“sit idly and watch the nation sink into chaos under new and additional
threats”.
He said, “The North recognises
and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the
current operations of the Nigerian state.
“The North has very clear ideas
on all issues and positions that the nation sees as challenges and is willing
to dialogue on all of them.
“What the North will not allow,
however, is to be stampeded into adopting anagenda and grand designs from other
parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests.
“The North will demand a
respectful and responsible approach to its participation in the search for
answers to the many questions confronting our country.
“We will also insist that the
constitution and our national institution, such as the National Assembly be
accorded due and appropriate recognition in all initiatives and efforts towards
addressing our challenges.”
NEF commiserated with the
families of the victims of the attacks in some states in the South-east and
South-south.
The body also endorsed the
presence of the military and other security personnel in all areas where peace
and security were several threatened.
It also hailed the “restrained
and mature reaction of the Northern leadership and the decision taken by the
South-East governors to denounce the activities of the IPOB”.
Unongo said the NEF would remain
vigilant over the security and welfare of the northerners in South-East,
South-South and all over Nigeria.
The body called on the Federal
Government to investigate the reports of illegal importation of huge quantities
of arms into the country and prosecute those found culpable.
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