The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has told Igbos in Lagos State to start selling their houses and relocate their businesses to the South East.
In a statement issued by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, Thursday evening, IPOB warned that those who attacked the Igbos during the governorship elections held on March 18 in Lagos would regret their actions.
The secessionist group said the silence of Yoruba leaders showed they approved the political hooliganism that led to the loss of lives and properties of the Igbos, vowing to confront henceforth any undue molestations of the Igbo in Lagos.
The group has called for an armed group of Igbos to confront molestation and harassment from thugs.
“We are going to settle the problem with Igbo and Yoruba in a way people will marvel and nobody should blame us. Igbos have been monitoring these criminals. Those behind these devilish activities against Ndigbo must regret their actions soon. Every Biafran must prepare to leave Lagos and don’t say we didn’t inform you.
“We are urging Ndigbo both men and women to prepare to vacate Lagos. Only a person who doesn’t have a place would be annoyed when your host asked you to leave his or her house. We acknowledge that many of you have built many mansions and markets in Lagos.
You have a choice of selling those properties, mortgage them, or lease them while you journey to your fatherland for your safety,” it stated.
According to IPOB, the Igbos have existing markets in all parts of the Eastern Region that are enough to accommodate all those relocating from Lagos to East.
It noted that the international markets in Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Anambra states are enough to accommodate all the businesses ready to relocate to the region.
IPOB said that the markets can be expanded while many new markets are built.
“IPOB will stand behind every relocation and development of international markets in Biafra Land.
“Therefore, we urge the newly elected governors and House of Assembly Members in the Eastern Region to work with communities to make land available in every province for international markets and industrialization projects.
“Again, we have to be involved in making sure that our people bring back their motor spare parts and we expect other markets to relocate from Lagos to Igboland. We advise them to start it quickly. We are delighted that our people are realizing that Nigeria is not for them, and the thought of relocating their businesses back to the Eastern Region is long overdue.
“Those in Lagos should know that they are not in any way doing better than the businesses in the Eastern region. They should come back to avoid losing their precious lives and properties to the hooligans working for political conspirators,” it added.
