Igbo Are Not Well Treated in Nigeria they Are Marginalised in All Are- Rev. Fr. Paulinus Ezeokafor

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rev. Fr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has called on all the various agitators hiding under the umbrella of gunmen to come out for dialogue for peace to reign in Anambra State and the South-East region.

Ezeokafor said the incessant waste of innocent lives, wanton killings of security personnel and destruction of properties in the South-East, have become unfortunate and worrisome.

The Bishop made the appeal in Awka, on Monday, during the prayer session ordered by the state government to curb the activities of the killer gunmen.

He blamed the situation in the region on the neglect and marginalisation by the Federal Government.

According to him, the Igbo are not well treated in the country as they are marginalised in all spheres.

He said, “You know every action has a reaction. Most of the things you are seeing here today are reactions from the Federal Government’s neglect. Those that are complaining have their reasons to complain, and what they are complaining about is real but the method of approach is too bad and disheartening for every right thinking Igbo man and woman.

“Besides, I can tell you, what the attackers in the name of unknown gunmen are doing is condemnable, because they are doing inward fighting, killing and destroying our own selves.

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“So, the sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra every Monday, which is part of what we prayed about today, will not help the future of Igbo youths in this country.

“It is not in the culture of the Igbos to kill human beings with gun and machetes. The Igbos are hardworking people who make better means of existence.

“I appeal to the gunmen to listen to the voice of wisdom. They should listen to the dialogue calls from the traditional rulers, the clergies and other concerned individuals and organisations for normalcy to return to the region.”

The bishop called on the people to love one another as much as Jesus Christ did to humanity when he died on the cross, irrespective of tribe, ethnicity and religion.