The Indigenous People of Biafra has ended its sit-at-home directive in South-East and embraced peace negotiations being organised by Anambra state.

IPOB on Saturday in Awka yielded to the appeal by the Anambra government and traditional rulers to pave the way for peace and allow Igbo stakeholders find lasting solution to insecurity in the region.

The decision was disclosed by the Chairman, Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, during a one-day peace building and security meeting held in Awka on Saturday.

Igwe Achebe, who is also the Igwe of Onitsha, said that the stakeholders have continually held meetings on the way forward to lasting resolutions of the impasse with the agitators.

He said that after its meeting with the group on Friday, April 1, it was agreed that a call to release the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, would be a great step to dousing the tension in the state and region.

He said that after the meeting, the group placed a call to all its members to sheathe their swords, put down their guns and go the way of dialogue.

“We call on all who had taken the way of gun to put down their guns and take up the olive leaf from the government to better themselves,” Mr Achebe said.

He said that the state government has set April 4 for prayers aimed at seeking God’s face to restore a lasting peace in Anambra and South East as whole.

It was agreed that on April 4, all churches in Igboland and the South-East region will join in prayers to seek God’s forgiveness and to restore peace in the area.

“Igboland has lost so much in economic and social development of the zone and we are tired of the situation and want peace,” the traditional ruler said.

“It is agreed that on Sunday, April 3, all churches will announce the IPOB decision to their faithful to come out on Monday 11am to their various churches to offer prayers to God for the restoration of peace and economic development,” he said.

Other speakers at the meeting included Anambra assembly speaker, Uche Okafor; Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Damin Ogene-Okeke, and several others.

(NAN)