Nnamdi Kanu on his own, Yoruba not Igbo responsible for violent protests in Lagos, Reactions trail IPOB divisive audio in circulation

*Attacks on Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, others can’t be by Igbo – Adedamola

*Says, “We Isale Eko people know ourselves”

By KEMI KASUMU

“It’s our people that did those things and not strangers! I know  that the people accusing the Ibo people are those eating from Tinubu. They support the impoverishment  of Lagos by one individual. They are comfortable with what he drops for them. Ibo people and former Gov Ibori are not that greedy. Ibo people are not our enemies,” Adedamola said.

Media reports of a divisive audio, believed to be from Nnamdi Kanu-led terrorist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has generated reactions as Igbo, Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba people dismiss the link of the audio with Igbo people of Nigeria.

The DEFENDER, in its own version of the report, had informed about exposition of IPOB as responsible for the violent #ENDSARS protests in parts of South West particularly Lagos and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to the contents of the audio.

But one of the reactions urged that caution should always be taken in media reportage so as not to fuel the conflicts without intent.

“Nnamdi Kanu is an opportunist and wants to take advantage of the happenings to advance his  cause,” the source anonymously said.

Also reacting were Azuka Onwuka, a Punch columnist, in his article titled, “There we go again!” and a Concerned Yoruba, Layo Adedamola.

Onwuka said: “Some people have been shocked and uncomfortable with the unity seen in these #EndSARS protests and have unleashed evil propagandists, paid agents and masters of divide-and-rule on the cyberspace to change the narrative of the current crisis and heap the blame on the Igbos as the usual fall guys.

“Many of them have started sharing blatant falsehood gleefully play the ethnic card. Let us not say or think nobody will believe them. Please read them on Facebook and see that many believe them. Many will also believe them silently without voicing it out.

“Nigeria knows how to unite once Igbos are involved. Don’t let us allow this crisis to be turned on the Igbos.

“This was how a 1966 coup that had coup plotters from different parts of Nigeria and elicited initial jubilation from all parts of Nigeria suddenly became “an Igbo coup”, and Rex Lawson’s old song “Ewu na-ebe akwa” was suddenly tagged a song released to celebrate the coup. The well-oiled propaganda caused the massacre of initial 50 thousand Igbos and a war that caused over a million more lives of Igbos and unimaginable carnage.

“Today, Abia is burning over the #EndSARS protests. Imo is burning. Enugu is burning. Ebonyi is burning. Rivers is burning. Edo is burning. Etc. People are venting their anger over the killings of protesters. But some wicked souls want to divide Nigerians and unite them against the Igbos and go home to enjoy the money they were paid to sell this wicked ethnic-trained story. No, their evil plan won’t work this time around. People are wiser to see through subterfuge and evil designs.

“Lagos Island is one place where the least number of Igbos reside in Lagos. It is rare to see any Igbo man who lives inside Lagos (Isale Eko). Igbos are afraid of living in Lagos Island. They simply visit, do their business and leave. There is a curfew in Lagos too. So one wonders which Igbo person would fly into Isale Eko this morning to join a mob to attack the palace of the Ọba of Lagos. But someone concocted a story that the protesters who attacked the palace spoke Igbo. And many who love to look for scapegoats will believe him that.

“I wonder if it was Igbos that removed the CCTV cameras at Lekki toll gate, switched off the lights and invited soldiers to shoot at protesters. I wonder if “sọrọ soke”, which is the catchphrase for the protest, sounds like Igbo language.

“Igbos and their investments have been destroyed in Abuja, Kano, Jos, etc, even while they were busy minding their business and were not protesting. It was not enough for mischief-makers. They still want more. But it won’t work for them.

“Nigerians should face their demons and leave the Igbos alone,” he said.

In his own separate reaction, Adedamola said, “I want to condemn the post circulating in the social media that Lagos attacks and burning of properties were masterminded by Ibo people through IPOB. Yoruba Ronu!

“Some people without brains have started to twist what has been going on openly over the days. Was it Ibo people that attacked the peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate?

“The attacks at Ikorodu and many government offices and properties, all by Ibos? Let us think deep! Don’t allow anyone deceive us!

“How can you tell me that Ibo people will enter the Palace of the Oba of Lagos in Isale – Eko to attack the place? **Who born the Ibo man to touch the staff of the office of Kabiyesi* , carried it about on the streets of Isale –  Eko, in the midst of Yoruba community?

“Make we borrow ourselves some sense! Don’t allow anyone incite you. We know the people that carried out the destruction and why they did it!

“In this our Isale – Eko, we know ourselves, what we go through everyday here. We know how many of us Lagos Island and other parts Lagos  get their daily food from these Ibo  traders  here. I know them to be a very peaceful people,  only concerned about their business.

“They help our people, employ our people in their shops  and our people love them. We have them as friends. They join us in celebrating our festivals and parties. Some of us also follow them to spend Christmas holidays in their villages. We have no problems with them. Whoever has any issues with any Iboman should please go and sort them out and not bring in the Yoruba nation into it!

“It’s our people that did those things and not strangers! I know  that the people accusing the Ibo people are those eating from Tinubu. They support the impoverishment  of Lagos by one individual. They are comfortable with what he drops for them. Ibo people and former Gov Ibori are not that greedy. Ibo people are not our enemies. They don’t hate us. We know our real enemies and their supporters!

“What has Tinubu done to improve our lives and environment?  Is it Ibo people that are using agberos to rule Lagos?  All those touts Tinubu de feed, how many are Ibos? Na Ibo people de tell them to fight and destroy properties?”

Memo to President Muhammadu Buhari

Your Excellency,

I come in peace, to once again offer my candid advice.

The ongoing #EndSARS is of much concern to all peace-loving Nigerians. This protest has go on too long sir. It is time to do something.

I know you have already done something by conceding to the principal demand of the protesters, which is to disband SARS. You have shown good faith but it is unfortunate they have not taken it. They want more. A tactical mistake in my opinion.

I personally think they should have accepted your gesture and make a strategic withdrawal by way of giving you the benefit of doubt to enable government look into their other demands. But since they have not heeded wise counsel, I advise you once again avail them the opportunity to hear directly from you.  Please address the protesters directly. You have already delayed for too long, but I guess you have good reasons for the delay.

And now that violence has been introduced into the protest, it is even more imperative for them to hear directly from you. It will do your government much good.

Please do not wait any longer. And I do not mean address by national broadcast. I mean direct address specifically targeted at the protesters. You may do so from Aso Rock courtyard. Or in the press galleria full of journalists.  Or even Eagle Square. But let the address not be made from your seat in your office sir.

And while you are at the address, please make firm promise to investigate extra-judicial killings by operatives of the now defunct SARS. Promise justice and compensation for the families of the victims. Promise a new Police force. Scrap the hastily constituted SWAT and have, in your hand, a comprehensive police reform bill which you intend to send to the National Assembly within 48 hours.

I wish you good luck sir

Your faithfully

Frank Ofili.