Why gunmen are after Soludo — COSEYL

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) an umbrella body of all the Igbo youth leaders in Nigeria has attributed the simultaneous onslaught by gunmen in Anambra State, especially at the hometown of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to the governor’s recent comment of mobilising the south east governors to effect Kanu’s release.

But his move according to a statement by the Igbo group President General, Goodluck Ibem seemed not to have made those they considered are feeding fat from the insecurity challenge in his state and the south east in general happy.

Ibem has also accused the groups of not allowing the suspension of sit-at-home order relaxed by the initiators, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stand for their selfish desire.

To thwart his moves, the sponsors of the gunmen left a mark of warning by attacking his house and area constantly, Ibem claimed.

“The gunmen burning government properties in Anambra, are doing so because they are not happy with Soludo’s move to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, the umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East geopolitical zone after a careful study and analysis of the burning and destruction of Local Government Council Secretariats in Anambra State, the unprovoked attacks on innocent people by gunmen and targeted attack on the residence of Executive Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo can authoritatively say that the gunmen are after the governor because of his move to mobilize South East Governors and other Igbo leaders to negotiate for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, currently in DSS custody in Abuja.

“Governor Soludo after his swearing-in as the Governor of Anambra State made a categorical statement that he was going to mobilize his colleagues and notable Igbo leaders to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu and called on civil servants to go to work on Monday.

“After making the statement, the heavens were let loose as gunmen and arsonists from nowhere stated burning down local government secretariats in the state and even made an attempt to attack the house of the governor which was resisted by security agents on duty around his house, though one police personnel paid the supreme price on the day of the attempted attack on Governor Soludo’s residence.

“The actions of the gunmen showed that they are not interested in the release of Nnamdi Kanu but only wants the Monday sit-at-home to remain and not tampered with despite being cancelled by IPOB leadership which was made known by their spokesman, Emma Powerful.

’’These gunmen and their sponsors know the consequences of their actions and they are very serious about it. The reason for their action points to one fact that they are not interested in the release of Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody.

“The sponsors of these gunmen don’t want Nnamdi Kanu released maybe because of their personal benefits which will cease if Nnamdi Kanu is released hence the attack on anyone who dares to make a move to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“Several South East Governors have made statements condemning the Monday sit-at-home and asking their citizens and servants to go to work and the heavens were not let loose. Why then is Anambra on fire and the heavens let loose? The answer is simple. Because Soludo included in his statement that ‘I will mobilize other South East governors to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody.’ That statement alone is what triggered all these attacks on Anambra and Soludo’s administration.

“We should not be deceived over what is happening in South East. Some people are getting heavy financial benefits over the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody. If Nnamdi Kanu returns, their business will cease to flourish and they will not be getting money hence the attack on anyone who wants to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody.

Recalling the incident of the killing of an INEC staff In Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Ibem said “what is the wisdom in killing your own blood brother in order to send a message to people who are not Igbos. Blood, they say is thicker than water. No sane man or woman will kill his own brother to send a message to a foreigner. No one. Even a mad man will find it very difficult to kill his own brother.

“What is happening today is not agitation, but pure criminality and banditry. The killings going on presently in South East must stop. Enough is said,” he said.

Ibem therefore urged Soludo not to be deterred by the antics of the sponsors of the insecurity challenge in the zone and double up effort to ensure that Kanu is released. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Daily Sun)