A coalition of Muslim groups, Muslims United for Peace and Justice, has urged the federal government and security agencies to urgently curtail the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its military wing Eastern Security Network (ESN).
It warned that the inactions of the government could lead the country into intractable ethno-religious strife due to the heightened killings of northerners in the south-eastern part of the country.
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While condemning the murder of a pregnant Muslim housewife, Harira Jibril, and her four children by IPOB/ESN terrorists recently in Anambra, it condemned the indifference displayed by some sections of the media and other non-Muslim stakeholders.
The group in a statement said their response was a sign of deep rooted Islamophobia.
“It is clear that their evil intention is to provoke a reprisala on Nigerians of Igbo (or southern extraction) living up North and thus throw the country into another civil war. We therefore commend our northern compatriots for not taking that evil bait.”
While pleading with Muslims to remain calm and eschew vengeance, the group expressed worry that IPOB/ESN terrorists had amplified their murderous escapades with utmost impunity in recent times.
The coalition urged all well-meaning people and groups, irrespective of religious or tribal inclinations, to collectively and continuously stand and speak against violence so that the country does not slip into total anarchy.
The coalition includes Muslim Rights Concern, Al-Usrah Incorporated, Port Harcourt Rivers State, Islamic Forum, Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness, Muslim Public Affairs Centre and The Academy.
