By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

The Ukwa/Ngwa ethnic nationality of Abia State has urged the protesters of the EndSARS campaign to pursue peace and stop the destruction of private and public properties in Aba and Umuahia.

The group, who embarked on a clean-up and sensitisation of market associations in Aba, described the destruction of the famous Aba town hall as a desecration of the land.

They lamented what they described as the destruction of the over 100 years Ngwa historical artifacts of the Ngwa nation and the Igbo race at the popular Aba Town Hall, where other properties including the Aba South Local Government offices were also destroyed by the protesters.

Addressing youths and people of Aba, the Coordinator of the clean-up exercise, Chief Uzo Ihuka, explained that the agitations had drawn the attention of the federal and state for negotiations before the shooting incident at Lekki toll gate in Lagos brought about a twist of events.

He said the shooting led to the infiltration of hoodlums into the ranks of the protesters who started unleashing mayhem on unsuspecting citizens and destroying public and private properties.

Read Also: Anambra, Abia tighten security as IPOB shelves protest

He said: “We cannot but weep at the extent of wanton destruction of our historical heritage, the Aba town hall which is over 100 years.

“For instance, Aba town hall was where the famous Aba Women riot of 1929 kicked off. Residences, financial institutions and businesses were not spared. This violence resulted in loss of lives.

“Aba belongs to all of us, the indigenes and the inhabitants; the combination of all of us is what makes Aba thick.

“We must not also forget that Aba is our motherland, where everyone can come empty handed and rise to the peak of whatever trade they choose.

“We all should strive to leave a better Aba for our children as we inherited from our fathers.

“It is the fundamental right of the youth to protest, but that right must be exercised within the ambit of the law. And we must not allow any ethnic agitation that will bring about wanton destruction of infrastructures like we have witnessed, to continue.

“Do not forget that destruction of properties and businesses can only create unemployment and backwardness. Development can only come in time of peace.”

He sympathised with those affected by the destruction and urged them not to take laws into their hands.

The group leader, who noted that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the incident and make recommendations, said victims would get succour.