By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has canvassed for dialogue as the best approach to the protracted agitations by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other pro-biafra groups in the Southeast.
Bishop Ezeokafor who gave the advice at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, while speaking on the state of the nation, wondered why the IPOB was labeled terrorists and threats to nation’s unity while herdsmen went about without fear.
He equally queried the rationale behind the Federal Government’s call for prayers for the marauding herdsmen and their sponsors.
His words, ‘Inasmuch as I do not subscribe to the method adopted by IPOB and MASSOB, the fact remains that there is no smoke without fire. Some people are complaining.
‘It is wise for the present administration to understudy the problem and proffer solution rather than crushing them. Dialogue is the only solution to better a situation that could lead to crisis. Why should someone say a group which doesn’t even have a gun or big sticks should be crushed while the herdsmen walk freely?’
On the issue of revocation of firearms license, Bishop Ezeokafor described the Federal Government’s move to revoke firearms license from responsible Nigerians as not only a recipe for disaster but also a time bomb waiting to explode.
He condemned the idea of appeasing Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, also known Fulani herdsmen, with a huge sum of N100b, as well as issuance of a Radio licence.
Bishop Ezeokafor said that such a move could amount to empowerment of the herdsmen to unleash more terror on Nigerians.
