Northern quit notice: We did not massacre Igbos leaving North – DSS

The Department of State Services, DSS, has debunked the news making the rounds that some Igbos fleeing the northern part of the country following the quit notice given to them by the Arewa groups were massacred while on their way to the east.

The DSS however warned Nigerians against hate speech or threatening members of different ethnic groups. A statement by its Spokesperson, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, said that a video purportedly showing the massacre of Igbos was, in reality, the scene of an accident which occurred along the Owo-Akure Road, Ondo State, on March 3, 2016.

“Those involved in these misleading and despicable acts have since been warned to desist from anything capable of causing disaffection and stoking nationwide tensions.”

DSS also condemned the quit notice giving to Igbos in the North by Arewa Youths, saying “Such relocation order is not only illegal, but it is strongly viewed to be against the spirit of our Constitution which allows for freedoms of movement and association among others.”

The DSS also urged Nigerians to Ignore the “persuasions by these tribal jingoists to make our beloved country a theatre of the absurd and bloodletting,” maintaining that it “…will stop at nothing to deploy all resources at its disposal to identify and deal with all those culpable, as well as maintain peace and order in every length and breadth of the nation”.

TheNewsGuru.com reports that prominent Northern youth associations recently issued serious threats to Igbos residing in the region to vacate on or before October 1 (Nigeria’s Independence Day) 2017 or face physical attacks.