The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has admonished Nigerians to stop profiling states negatively due to the criminal activities of a few indigenes.
The President of the Ebonyi chapter of the organisation, Dr Peter Mbam, gave the admonition in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakiliki on Saturday.
Mbam was reacting to a video circulating on the social media, which showed criminal suspects in Anambra, alleged to be Ebonyi indigenes.
He said the criminality of a few individuals should not be used to profile Ebonyi or other states, negatively.
“The state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership is consulting other states of the South-East to stop profiling Ebonyi negatively in this guise.
“Ebonyi indigenes operate legitimately in these states and should therefore not be seen as criminals,” the statement read.
Mbam noted that criminals anywhere in Igboland should be treated as such by security operatives in accordance with the extant laws of the land.
“The entire states should therefore not be profiled negatively.
“We appeal to our national executive committee to ensure that defaults of few youths are not used to profile their states of origin negatively,” he added.
According to him, such a trend negates the organisation’s slogan, “Onye aghala nwanne ya” (meaning, do not leave your brother behind).
“When such profiling gets outside the shores of Igboland, the whole tribe is affected,” he stated.
Mbam commended the state Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, for his educational and skill acquisition policies aimed at reducing crime and making the youths self reliant.
“The governor has released funds to empower youths engaged in street trading and other menial jobs within and outside the state,” he stated.
He also commended the governor’s wife for her educational programmes aimed at eradicating the out-of-school syndrome in the state.
“We are hopeful that with all these physical and empowerment policies, Ebonyi people would always be proud of their state,” the statement added. (NAN)