Igbo quit notice: No matter how long, those guilty will be punished, says FG

The federal government says an investigation is still ongoing into the quit notice issued to the Igbo by the Arewa youth, and that whoever is found guilty will eventually be brought to book.

On June 6, some northern youth groups led by Arewa Consultative Forum had asked the Igbo to leave the region within three months. The groups also threatened to take over the property of the Igbo in the north.

But they withdrew the ultimatum last Thursday, a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Nigerians were free to live anywhere in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, said the investigation into the matter is not time-bound.

“The way the government works is that a lot of considerations naturally come into play. One is investigation, which is not time-bound; two, security consideration; three, expeditious determination and consideration of public interest,” he said.

“But one thing that is certain is that the government is ever alive to its responsibilities and whoever is found wanting, regardless of the length of time, will definitely be brought to book.

“That is the way it works. I assure you that the government will, within the context of its responsibilities, work to ensure good governance, justice, peace and fairness in the nation.”

Malami’s explanation came on the same day some United Nations human rights experts called for the prosecution of those behind the quit notice.

Abdulrahman Dambazau, minister of interior, had on August 12 said the Arewa youthhad denied making any inciting comment.

“They (the youth) later claimed the media quoted them out of context. I am very much aware that the DSS invited all of them, held a meeting with them to which they made a statement to the effect that what was reported in the media was not what they said,” the minister had said.