A group, Igbo for a Progressive and United Nationhood (IPAN), has condemned the gruesome murder of northern traders and their cows in Abia State.
It urged Igbo leaders, especially those eyeing the presidential seat next year, to speak out and stop pretending for their egocentric reasons.
Gunmen had invaded the New Cattle Market at Omumauzor in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, killing eight traders from the North and slaughtering over 20 cows.
The National President of the group, Lawrence Onuzulike, described the act as barbaric and heartless, urging the state and Federal Governments to ensure that the culprits were prosecuted.
He implored northerners to be patient and not to retaliate, stressing that the acts were carried out by uninformed people bent on bringing calamity against the Igbo in the North.
Onuzulike said: “IPAN wonders why Igbo leaders, especially those aspiring to become president of Nigeria, are not condemning these savage acts.
“Are Ndigbo comfortable with the current situation of things in the Southeast? What are our Igbo leaders doing?
“We are trying so hard to understand what exactly some of the Igbo leaders are benefitting from the current situation of things in the Southeast.
“No doubt, their actions and inactions led us to where we are today, and their silence in the face of these calamities is disturbing. We urge them to speak up.
“To Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, we must stress that this is not the time to just condemn the barbaric act, but time to act and get the killers apprehended.”