As Nigeria’s mass protests continue into their fifth day, the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly has raised alarm over what they describe as dangerous ethnic profiling of the Igbo people. This concern follows disturbing reports of threats and calls for violence against the Igbo community in Lagos.
In a statement released from Abuja and signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Igariwey Iduma Enwo, the caucus condemned the use of ethnic profiling in the context of the protests. They highlighted specific threats such as the “#IgboMustGo” hashtag and comments from an account identified as ‘Lagospedia’ on social media.
The senators emphasized that the Igbo nation, guided by their leaders including governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and other key figures, had decided to stay out of the nationwide protests. This decision has been reflected in the relative calm in the South-East region. The caucus expressed their dismay that despite this, the Igbo are being wrongly targeted as instigators of the unrest.
The statement read, “This dangerous ethnic profiling is unwarranted and must stop. It was such profiling that led to the millions of deaths in Nigeria from the 1950s to the unfortunate civil war in 1967 to 1970. Elsewhere in Africa, it led to the genocide in Rwanda and xenophobia in South Africa. Such should not be our fate again in Nigeria.”
The South-East Caucus has called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute those behind these hate-driven statements and to uphold the Cybercrimes Act and criminal laws of Nigeria. They also appealed to the Igbo community across the country to remain law-abiding and avoid participating in the protests.
Igbo-Biafra Nationalists Demand Action Against Ethnic Profiling
In a related development, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists (IBN) have called for immediate and decisive action against the perpetrators of the “#IgboMustGo” threat. Mazi Uche Mefor, the convener of IBN, criticized President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what he perceived as inadequate responses to the situation.
Mefor stated, “The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination express deep concern over the inadequate response to the ethnic profiling and discrimination against the Igbo community in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State.” He criticized the current public statements from the President and Governor as insufficient and called for comprehensive and punitive measures against those responsible for the hate speeches and threats.
He warned that ignoring the issue could lead to a repeat of historical injustices, drawing a parallel with the 1966 pogrom against the Igbo. Mefor urged South-East political representatives and stakeholders, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to take decisive action. This includes initiating negotiations regarding the future of the Igbo within Nigeria or exploring alternatives.
The IBN’s statement also stressed the need for coordinated legal action against the Nigerian state, urging South-East governors and lawmakers to address these concerns within the National Assembly and through legal channels.
As tensions rise, both the South-East Caucus and the IBN continue to push for action to ensure that ethnic profiling and discrimination do not escalate further, calling for a return to peaceful dialogue and justice.
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