‘Deportation’: Lagos govt violated constitution —Ohaneze Ndigbo

THE Pan-Igbo Cultural Organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has reacted to the deportation of some Igbo indigenes by the Lagos State government.
Addressing newsmen in Anambra State, chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter, Elder Chris Eluemuno, said the action of the Lagos State government was not only callous, but a clear violation of Nigeria constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to reside and work in any part of the country.
Elder Eluemuno also said what the Lagos State government did was inhuman and barbaric, aimed at insulting and embarrassing the Igbo race.
He said Ohaneze Ndigbo totally rejected the explanation put forward by the Lagos State government in defense of its action that the deportees were returned home for proper integration, and wondered if dumping and abandoning them under the bridge in Onitsha at midnight was the best way to return them to their homes for proper integration.
The Ohaneze chairman raised some questions, which he demanded the Lagos State government to answer, including “to whom were the deportees handed over?,
Why were non-Anambra indigenes among those also dumped and abandoned at Onitsha, why were they not taken to their respective home states? Have all the destitute and criminals that roam the streets of Lagos been returned to their home states for proper integration, why single out Ndigbo?”          
Elder Elumuno told newsmen that the Igbo race and the good people of Anambra State demanded an unreserved apology from the Lagos State government, else it would be taken that its action was a calculated insult aimed at creating unnecessary friction between the Yoruba and Igbo who had been living and working peacefully in Lagos for decades.
He further stated that Igbos had contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State, warning that such an unhealthy development by the Lagos State government would not augur well for the unity of the community.              
Ohaneze Ndigbo also condemned the role of the police in the deportation for escorting the vehicle that brought the deportees down to Onitsha from Lagos.
Accoding to him, “what a travesty of justice that security agents who are paid from public fund to protect the rights of citizens, were used to perpetuate the violation of the constitution they all swore to defend and protect.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the role of his men in this despicable and illegal action of the Lagos State government.”
The apex Igbo cultural organisation commended what it described at the mature and peaceful manner the Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi, had handled the deportation issue.
 He said “We strongly support all the steps he has so far taken to seek reduess for the wicked and degrading treatment meted out to our people.
“We appeal to the good people of Anambra State especially those in Lagos, to remain calm, law abiding and go about their businesses without fear of molestation.