The leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, at the weekend in Abuja, said that the group had not supported reprisals against killings of Igbo in the North because of the consequences the action would have on Igbo population in the region.
Chief Uwazuruike spoke at a meeting of traditional rulers of Igbo extraction from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT.) The meeting had as part of its agenda discussions on important national issues, including how to promote national unity and development.
The meeting was also attended by other prominent Igbo sons, including His Royal Majesty Eze Nri and custodian of Igbo culture and tradition, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh; His Royal Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya of Obinugwu in Imo State who is the chairman of South-East Council of Traditional Rulers; chairman, Eze Ndigbo in the 19 northern states, Eze (Dr) Nwosu Ibe as well as former governor of old Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Uwazuruike, however, stated that it was important for Igbo leaders to appraise the situation, synergise and evolve solutions to the predicament faced by Ndigbo residing in the region.

He said, "we have not supported reprisals because of its dire consequences considering the number of Igbo in the north and their calibre

"Our people won't go for reprisal attack. We will continue to advise our people to refrain from reprisal attack but government must continue to ensure our lives and properties are protected," he added.

The MASSOB leader accused South- East governors of pushing their people out to their enemies unlike other state governors, especially those in South- West, who he commended for protecting their people.

He equally lamented lack of cooperation and unity among Igbo.

He said, "the fact that we are talking about MASSOB does not mean we shouldn't get our fair share. Any day Igbo speak with one voice, every challenge they face will melt.

“It is God who will pay us for our sacrifices not men and that is why we shouldn't relent,” he said.

Speaking in an interview at the event, the chairman of Ohaneze Nd'Igbo in Kano State, Chief Tobias Idika called for the abolition of all forms of militancy in the north as well as re-invigoration of the country's security sector.

The Ohaneze leader made case for authorities to send non-muslim commissioners of police to the troubled-northern states and insisted that it is the turn of Igbos to produce the president in 2015.

Speaking also, the former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife called for public education on religious matters as one of the ways of tackling the current insecurity facing the country.

Although he answered, "If I know I would have told them long time ago" when asked what he would suggest as solution to the country's security problem, Chief Ezeife stated that, "We want education to make it certain for muslims and christian faithfuls to know the limit of what the scripture is saying

"This suicide bombing thing, a person signs off to die, if you commit suicide, you are going to hell straight and the person who brainwashed you also."

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Our people won't go for reprisal attack. We will continue to advise our people to refrain from reprisal attack but government must continue to ensure our lives and properties are protected," he added.The MASSOB leader accused South- East governors of pushing their people out to their enemies unlike other state governors, especially those in South- West, who he commended for protecting their people.He equally lamented lack of cooperation and unity among Igbo.

Im sure Uwazuruike has heard the expression "blood money".........does he know what it means?

"Our people won't go for reprisal attack" is a wrong statement. They have no other option but to accept the blows and blood spill. What else can they do deep in another man's land? Ibo has sold his soul and levied his life for the piece of sweet honey and juice on another man's soil.

.......and lately Uwazuruike has been discovering wisdom and knowledge in the Yoruba model. He should denounce his tribe and come to Osogbo and swear oath of allegiance to Sango.

O'dua is moving forward....Omo Yoruba ti gun oke agba!

Nice one there MOSSAB. I don't see any reason why a right thinking person should kill human to revenge. Some people behaved like animals, then following their step will only confirm the victim aswell to be animal. Retaliating won't bring back the dead, but only bring more hatred among the two groups.