Indigenous Igbo communities across Rivers State are raising the alarm over recent comments made by former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo. In a move to protect communal harmony, the Indigenous Igbo Congress (IIC) warned that such rhetoric carries the dangerous potential to spark ethnic friction if left unchecked.
The concerns stem from a viral video circulating on social media in which Dokubo allegedly linked recent unrest in various parts of Rivers State to the Igbo community. In a statement obtained by Reports, signed by President-General Chimenum Amadi and Secretary-General Ogenma Victor Denial, the IIC labeled these claims as misleading. The group stressed that security issues should never be viewed through an ethnic lens, as doing so only complicates an already sensitive situation.
Addressing specific incidents, the IIC clarified that the protests seen in Obigbo and its environs were led by local residents voicing their own grievances. They argued that framing these actions as an ethnic agenda is factually incorrect. Similarly, the group pointed to recent tensions in Igwuruta and other Ikwerre communities following a tragic killing, cautioning against the temptation to blame an entire ethnic group for criminal acts without verified evidence.
The Congress made it clear that there is no credible proof to support online rumors claiming that Igbo residents or IPOB members were behind any acts of vandalism or religious violence. Reports notes that the IIC is calling on security agencies to keep a close watch on public statements that could incite violence, emphasizing that public figures have a responsibility to speak with caution.
A central theme of the IIC message is the historical root of the Igbo people in the region. The group reminded the public that Rivers State is home to many indigenous Igbo communities who have lived side-by-side with their neighbors for generations. They rejected the “stranger” narrative, asserting that they are integral parts of the state’s social fabric.
By speaking out now, the Congress hopes to foster a spirit of unity rather than division. They urged all residents of Rivers State to reject any story that breeds mistrust and reaffirmed their commitment to law-abiding conduct and mutual respect. According to the IIC, the focus should remain on collaboration and peace rather than rhetoric that turns neighbors against each other.
