The Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is to petition President Muhammadu Buhari over the profiling of Igbo in Lagos State during the general elections.
It will also send protest letters to the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to express its feelings over the attacks on Igbo.
In a communique issued after the Elders in Council meeting held on Wednesday in Enugu and signed by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Secretary General, Okey Emuchay, the group said during the election, innocent Igbos residents in Lagos who came out as patriotic Nigerians to cast their votes were assaulted, brutalized and some killed in the process by some miscreants and thugs recruited by some desperate politicians in the state.
“These unpatriotic Nigerians destroyed properties belonging to the Igbo, for example, a whole market was burnt. Information available to us reveal that they are still threatening the lives of Igbos and their property in Lagos State.”
The elders forum said it had directed the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in association with Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up a special team to carry out full investigation into the killings and destruction of property owned by the Igbo in Lagos.
“Among other terms of reference, the report must indicate the number of Igbos killed, number of Igbos injured and hospitalized, number of Igbos permanently incapacitated. The report shall include the comprehensive report of Igbo assets and property destroyed including the burning of market,” they said.The elders further said Ohanaeze Ndigbo would ensure that all perpetrators of criminal activities against the Igbo were brought to book and adequate reparation/compensations paid to victims.
The group resolved that the Igbo would no longer fold their hands and watch their kit and kin humiliated, brutalized and killed in Lagos.
“Based on the foregoing, the Council of Elders directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up an Emergency Telephone Line where Igbos in Lagos who are victimized because of their Igbo origin will report.”
The group said it would formally petition President Buhari to express its sadness and disappointment over these unfortunate developments in Lagos State.
They said a high powered Igbo delegation would also be sent to Lagos to meet with some leaders of the state with a view to to establishing a lasting cordial and peaceful relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba in Lagos.