By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Concerned Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Southeast zone , has condemned the ongoing killings and destruction of private and public property in the southeast, calling for immediate truce.
A statement by Chief Udechukwu Nnoruka Udechukwu on behalf of the group, condemned “unequivocally and in very clear terms the said acts of arson and the taking of human lives in the process,” adding that “these acts of violence are not supported and cannot be supported by the people of the Southeast.”
While condoling with the families of law enforcement officers, other public servants and private individuals who have lost their loved ones as a result of the recent carnage, the group expressed worry “that the persons or group of people responsible for the mayhem; where they are from and what their objectives are, remain unknown.
“That the management of the crisis unfortunately exhibits double standards with regard to the response of Federal security agencies in South-East vis- à-vis other similarly afflicted zones in the country.” It therefore called for an immediate end to hostilities and dialogue to resolve the problem
“In order to find an immediate resolution and stop further degeneration of the security situation, the Concerned Southeast SANs hereby call for a truce and immediate cessation of hostilities on all sides to allow for a consideration of the underlying issues and grievances which have led to the recent rise in ethnic or tribal nationalism not only in the Southeast but in other parts of the country.
“The Concerned Southeast SANs hereby call on those who are destroying public and private properties, especially facilities of law enforcement agencies in the Southeast zone to immediately discontinue their actions in order to forestall the slide into a total breakdown of law and order in the zone. The Concerned Southeast SANs urge all persons in the Southeast to remain law-abiding whilst calling on the law enforcement agencies to respect the sanctity of life and avoid indiscriminate arrests.
“The Concerned Southeast SANs also appeal to the Federal Government to embrace dialogue and diplomacy as a means of resolving the myriad of growing disaffections across the entire country in the interest of peace and unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Concerned Southeast SANs also appeal to all Nigerians especially those in leadership positions to desist from rhetoric capable of inflaming the situation rather than bringing the desired peace and unity which we earnestly desire.
“In this regard, the Concerned Southeast SANs respectfully request His Excellency General Abdulsalam Abubakar GCFR, His Excellency Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, His Excellency Chief Emeka Anyaoku CFR, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Colonel Dangiwa Umar (Rtd) jointly with other well-meaning Nigerians from the six geo- political zones to intervene quickly in the matter with a view to securing a truce which would provide a conducive atmosphere for resolving the underlying issues which are currently threatening the survival of our dear nation.”