The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has advised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ignore the rumour that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra are plotting to attack Lagos.

“The constant and periodic dangerous insinuations, rumour, gossips, and callous statements that Ndigbo in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land contemplate to instigate violence in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land is not true,” said Ohaneze.

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, George Obiozor, stated this during a courtesy visit to Mr Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday.

In Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu, the Commissioner of Police, had during a security town hall meeting disclosed there were plans by some groups, including IPOB, to attack “soft spots” in the state. The governor and other Lagos principal officials attended the meeting.

Mr Obiozor explained that the threat was a ploy to distract Mr Sanwo-Olu from governance, pointing out that the statement was aimed to cause division, crisis, and conflict.

“Today, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in the company of Igbo Elders and Leaders in Lagos, are here to pay you a solidarity visit and to further reassure you that Ndigbo are not violent in nature, neither are we known for acts of violence anywhere we live,” the Ohaneze president-general told Mr Sanwo-Olu.

He added, “We wish to state clearly that anywhere this dangerous rumour or statement is emanating from is aimed to cause division, crises, and conflict amongst us. The quick denial of this rumour by members of IPOB and Yoruba groups in Lagos and across the South-West was a source of relief.”

Mr Obiozor reiterated Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s support for the Lagos government and security agencies.

“I am aware that the government and good people of Lagos state under your able leadership, and through their hospitable gestures, have continually kept the trust and friendship between Ndigbo and our host communities in Lagos state alive.

“The Igbo nation is renowned for being agents of development, not destruction. Ndigbo are builders, and their contributions to the development of Lagos State are evident and exemplary,” said the Ohaneze leader.

(NAN)