Civil war: Prosecute Gowon, Obansanjo, Danjuma, INC

The Igbo National Congress (INC), a political pressure group, has called for the prosecution of former Head of State, General Yabuku Gowon; former president Olusegun Obasanjo and General T.Y. Danjuma for alleged premeditated and organized genocide against Ndigbo during the 30 months civil war.

In a press statement signed by its President-General, Comrade Chilos Godsent, after the organization’s executive session in Owerri, it urged the prosecution of those indicted for genocide against the Igbo. “INC calls for the prosecution of all those indicted for genocide against Ndigbo, which includes General Yakubu Gowon, General Olusegun Obasanjo, General T. Y. Danjuma, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (post-humous) and many others at the International Criminal Court.

“They violated humanitarian laws during the war they declared against Ndigbo for trying to express their rights to self-determination and should therefore be brought to book for their crimes against humanity,” the group stated. Comrade Godsent said the massive investments being made by Ndigbo all over the country, especially in the South-west and the North have constantly been under attack to weaken and intimidate Ndigbo.

“Ndigbo have lost millions of naira through unwarranted attacks by their hosts, including bombing, riots as well as cold blooded murder as being witnessed in northern Nigeria today. “Many local governments in most of these states, especially in Lagos and the North have initiated anti-Igbo trade policies to cripple the businesses and investments belonging to Ndigbo. “The INC therefore, calls on Ndigbo living in other parts of the country, especially in the North where jihad has been declared against them, to begin to bring their businesses and investments back home.

They should as well begin to develop properties in Igbo land to ensure safety. It is the position of the INC that people who want their goods will always come for it no matter where they are.” The INC also urged governments of Igbo states to take issues of good governance, development of infrastructures more seriously and initiate pro-people policies to encourage investments in Igbo land.

Meanwhile, the council praised the audacity and forthrightness of the renowned literary icon and statesman, Prof Chinua Achebe, in the publication of his personal memoirs on the Biafra-Nigeria civil war in which he pointed out crimes committed against Ndigbo by Nigerian officials and their allies, especially Awolowo and Gowon, during the war.

The INC also commended the courage of many Nigerians including Prof. Wole Soyinka, who have persistently stood on the side of t truth and condemned the evil meted out against Ndigbo during the civil war.

.....GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, OWERRI/SUN NEWS