The President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor and other Igbo leaders, on Thursday, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
The visit comes on the backdrop of the rumoured plans by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to attack Lagos State, as the insecurity situation in the country worsens.
According to a social media post made by the Governor of Lagos on Thursday 13th May 2021, on the visit by leaders of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Sanwo-Olu said the group was led by the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor and some Igbo elders and leaders.
He said they came on a solidarity visit to assure the people of Lagos state of their continued cooperation, and cordial relationship which they have shared with the state through the years.
“Lagos has been known to be a harmonious and cosmopolitan state. We embrace all the cultures and tribes in Nigeria and live together as one,” the Governor said.
Although full details of the meeting as at the time of this report, was yet to be made available to the press, but on his part, the President-General of Ohneze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof Obiozor while speaking to the Governor, said:
“The Igbo nation is renowned for being agents of development and not destruction”.
“Ndigbo cannot indulge in any act that will harm the harmonious peace and cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba, especially Lagos,” he added.
He also described Lagos as a second home of several Ndigbo.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stating further said: “On our part, we will continue to provide good governance, ensure the security of lives and properties and continue to foster harmonious relationships with all the different tribes and ethnic nationalities in the state,” he added.
Recall that a few days ago, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu had told the state government that members IPOB are plotting to attack Lagos state, a statement which has since been denied by the group.
Odumosu had disclosed this at a stakeholders’ forum on security chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday.
He added that the command has also taken note of threats by agitators of Oodua Republic and other Yoruba separatist groups.
According to him, 24 of these groups have been identified and being closely monitored.
He said the threats have been put on the radar of the Lagos Command intelligence-gathering unit.
The commissioner added that strategies are being put in place to neutralise their activities.
He said, “The command has taken notice of agitators for Oodua Republic by some Yoruba separatist groups and the threats to disrupt law and order in the state. Twenty four of these groups have been identified and being closely monitored.
“Similarly, the threat of IPOB to attack soft targets in Lagos is equally being put on the radar of the command intelligence gathering and other security services in the state. Strategies are being put in place to neutralise their activities.
“The command is using this medium to solicit for the support of all and sundry to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious person or movement to security agencies. Let us adopt the slogan of ‘when you see something, say something.’”