STOP USING US AS SCAPE GOATS, IGBO IN C’RIVER TELL FEUDING VILLAGES
https://www.fearlessreports.com/2017/08/stop-using-us-as-scape-goats-igbo-in.html
IGBO resident in Cross River at the weekend took stock of the losses they have suffered in the past few years following attacks on them during communal conflicts by feuding communities in the state and appealed for help.
The appeal was made when Igbo in Cross River paid a sympathy visit on their brethren resident in Uyanga and Ojor communities in Akamkpa local Government Area who lost lives and property when they were attacked during a recent communal conflict in the area
The President of Igbo Community in the state, Dr Lawrence Chkuwemeka while speaking at the Palace of the Clan Head of Uyanga, Ophot Felix Akposi expressed displeasure that the Igbo in the state are always the target of attack during communal conflicts by feuding communities in the state even when such conflicts have no relationship with them.
“The Igbo are usually made the scapegoats when communities in the state are involved in any misunderstanding even when such conflict is not related to us.
Recently we read in the papers that two communities in Akamkpa,. Uyanga and Ojor were involved in communal conflict and when hostilities ended we began to hear stories that Igbo were the ones attacked and over thirty shops were destroyed while some of them lost their lives and others had all they have worked for in their lives destroyed”
Dr Chukwuemeka stated that similar attacks have happened during the conflict between the people of Apiapum and Ovonum, also Igbos were attacked in Yala Local Government Area during similar incident also in Ugep Local Government Area where businesses owned by Igbos were attacked and destroyed even when they had nothing to do with such conflict.
“We are seeking for our daily bread in places we sojourn and not war mongers so why should we be the subject of attack in conflicts we know nothing about?. Our businesses are always looted and set ablaze to cover up the stealing of our goods, please, let this stop.
“In the North we have been given a quit notice, in Yoruba we are hated and still here our brothers in the south south with whom we share common custom and tradition also hate us, what have the Igbos done to deserve this treatment?” he queried.
Dr Chukwuemeka appealed to Ophot Akposi to take the case of those whose businesses and homes were destroyed to the Federal and State Governments to offer them assistance by rehabilitating because many of them have become destitute, without any source of livelihood after their shops were set on fire.
He said many of those affected have become beggars by begging what they eat and have worn the same dress for the past one month and sleep outside since their homes were also set on fire.
Ophot Akposi who said the destruction was not done by his people promised to make a case with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to extend some assistance to those whose businesses and homes were razed down
Culled from Emmanuel Unah's Facebook wall