Anti-Igbo threats: Police launch manhunt for seven suspects

There were strong indications yesterday that the Nigeria Police Force has identified seven suspects behind the quit notice on Igbo to leave the North.

The suspects have, however, relocated from Kaduna and gone underground.

But the police detectives are tracking their movements in order to effect their arrest.

It was also gathered that the security agencies and the police might have interacted with the management of Arewa House on how the suspects got permission to organise the briefing on Tuesday.

According to preliminary findings by security agencies, the seven suspects ran away from Kaduna immediately after addressing the media in Kaduna.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “As at Wednesday, we succeeded in tracking their new location and we were almost closing in on them before they went underground.

“We were able to intercept their discussions to some extent. So, we are working on many clues including their likely sponsors. No matter how long they run, the law will catch up with them. We are on their trail.”

Asked to be specific on the identities of the suspects, the top security source said: “We have their list but we will not disclose their names in order not to jeopardise investigation.

“But these suspects are some leaders of the Arewa Citizens Action for Change, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, the Arewa Youth Development Foundation, the Arewa Students Forum, the Northern Emancipation Network, the Northern Youth Vanguard, the Northern Youth Stakeholders Forum and the North-East Assembly.

“I can tell you that we have the list of the leaders of the Coalition of Northern Youths. We are collaborating with the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Nasir el-Rufai who has done much to manage the situation.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “Security agencies have been interacting with the management of Arewa House on how they sourced the venue for the Tuesday briefing.

“If they followed normal process, we want all necessary documentation. We will also try to find out whether or not the management knew about the mission of the coalition before approving the use of its facility.

“All these are normal steps because we need to dig deeper. We will certainly not take things for granted.”

The police had on Thursday declared all the groups in the coalition as “ illegal, unlawful.”

A statement by the Force Public Relations, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said “the Inspector- General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police in charge of Police State Commands in the country and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the Zonal Commands of the Federation to beef up security in their respective states and ensure that the alleged ultimatum is not actualized.

“They are under strict instructions to maintain law and order and to sustain the protection of fundamental rights of every Nigerian as provided for by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, particularly sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 which are very sacrosanct and must be protected.

“Every Nigerian including the Igbo or any other ethnic group has the rights to life, personal liberty, freedom of movement and the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria. No individual (s) or group (s) under any course, guise or excuse has the right to issue any ultimatum or warning to compel any Nigerian to leave or relocate from or to any part of the Country without their wish.”