The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, South East Zone, has described the proposed plans by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to establish Fulani Youth Vigilantes in all communities in the South East zone as a prelude to invade Igbo land.
NYCN condemned in very strong terms the proposal which it said appeared like a confirmation of the rumoured hidden agenda to ‘Fulanise’ Nigeria .
MACBAN, had Thursday in Enugu during the South-East Security Summit organized by the South-East Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, SECCIMA, in collaboration with South-East Governors Forum, SEGF, asked for permission to set up Fulani youths vigilante in every community in South East.
The demand has been trailed by angry reactions from individuals and associations including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the pan Yoruba socio -cultural body, Afenifere which described it as both insulting and provocative.
NYCN in a strong-worded press statement issued yesterday, warned Miyetti Allah against any move to attack South East.
The statement signed by NYCN National Vice President, South East, Prince Chibuike Echem , said an emergency meeting of NYCN with various youth bodies in South East had been scheduled for next week in Enugu to take a common position on the worrisome development.
NYCN vowed to synergise with youth organisations in the South East to defend the zone against any invasion.
NYCN wondered why the Federal Government is still treating herdsmen with kid gloves despite that they had been designated as the fourth deadliest terror group by the United States of America.
The statement read in part : “This is a prelude to invade the region by Fulani Herdsmen.
“The US government has emphatically categorised the Fulani Herdsmen as one of the worst terrorist organisations in the world.
“It is unfortunate that the Federal Government have treated this group with levity. Their notorious activities in the North especially North Central and North West been that of agony and a litany of woes.
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“The Igbo nation cannot condone such organisation in their backyard. We will partner with all interest groups in Igbo land especially Association of Community Youth Leaders in the South Eastern states to nip this move in the bud.”
NYCN urged Governors in the zone not to succumb to any pressure to approve of the dangerous proposal but to remain united against any move to render the zone vulnerable.
“We urge our state Governors and political leaders to rise up to this occasion and defend the territory and integrity of the Igbo nation as a stitch in time saves nine.”
