The Coalition of Northern Groups have commended the general response by northerners by heeding the calls for restraint in the face of provocations by IPOB.
The groups noted with dismay the recent happenings in the South East and other parts of the country as worrisome and called for restrain and understanding among Nigerians.
CNG spokesman, Abdul-azeez Suleiman in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday said, “We see the matured response by all northerners as very reassuring and wish to reiiterate our earlier calls for them to remain calm, focused and repose confidence in the nation’s security agencies.
“We assure the northern public that we have been in constant touch with northerners residing in the South East and they have assured us that the situation is firmly contained by the authorities.
“We assure the northern public particularly the youth, of our committed resolve to pursue their rights collectively and individually and shall never fail them in this regard.
“And as we continue to monitor the development, we assure northerners of our resolve to present a comprehensive data of collateral human and material damages arising from the incident to relevant authorities and to press for redress.
“We specifically commend the efforts of the Ulama and the cleric, the leardership of the Northern Governors Forum, northern elders, cultural associations such as the ACF, traditional institutions and the media in downplaying and discrediting the spread of harmful rumours.
“We also commend the prompt responses of the Plateau, Rivers and Abia state governments in prempting and stamping the escalation of tensions in their states as well as the proscription of IPOB by the South East governors.
“We must state here that our position that IPOB be proscribed, its activities be declared as acts of terror, and its leaders be accordingly treated in the interest of a greater, peaceful and united Nigeria has to a large extent been vindicated which is also reassuring and encouraging.
“We also wish to state that we have a priviledged information that IPOB sponsors are mobilizing their members in the Diaspora to humiliate our dear President Muhammadu Buhari in New York where he is billed to address the United Nations General Assembly.
“We call on Nigerians to as well overlook this planned unpatriotic action by the IPOB supporters as it is nothing but another antic to provoke reactions.
“We assure all peace loving Nigerians that CNG is also preparing to counter IPOB’ foreign propaganda efforts by compiling relevant facts to be presented personally to the UN soon.”
It said it reiterates the call for calm and tolerance as the authorities diligently carry out their duties.
