A United States-based organisation representing Igbo interests has sharply criticised Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo over comments he made about the ethnic composition of kidnappers in the state.
The Concerned Citizens of Igbo Nation in Diaspora (CCIND) condemned what it called “shocking” and “reckless” statements made by the governor during a recent town hall meeting with members of the Igbo community in Maryland.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emeka Livingstone, CCIND said: “Governor Soludo made a shocking statement, claiming that 99.99% of alleged kidnappers arrested in Anambra are Igbos. He did not provide evidence as to how many of such arbitrarily quoted figures have been prosecuted and convicted.”
During the July 6 meeting, Soludo reportedly stated: “I have been in office for three years and three months, and if we have arrested 100 criminals in the forest kidnappers and so on 99.99% of them are Igbo youths… Igbos are the ones kidnapping Igbos; they are the ones killing Igbos. All the kidnappers’ camps are operated by Igbo youths.”
The diaspora group criticised the governor for failing to acknowledge persistent attacks by armed herdsmen in various Anambra communities, some of which, they claimed, predate his administration.
“Governor Soludo’s unproven allegation fell short of telling his Igbo audience how many of the alleged suspects have been lawfully tried and convicted,” CCIND said, adding that the comments could “give a free pass for further invasion of farms and forests of Igbo land by these herdsmen” and fuel anti-Igbo propaganda.
The group also cited a recent incident in Ogbaru Local Government Area where three armed herders allegedly shot at a young farmer who confronted them for entering his farm. They accused the governor of “doing nothing to stop the incessant mayhem caused by these herdsmen.”
CCIND warned that such sweeping statements by political leaders risk endangering the lives of Igbo youths and called for greater caution in addressing sensitive security issues.