Terrorism: Ihejirika lauds Ndigbo for not attacking northeners

ONITSHA—The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has commended Ndigbo for not making the mistake of embarking on a reprisal attacks against northerners resident in Igbo land during bomb attacks in Kano and other parts of the north.
He said if Ndigbo had made such a mistake, the terrorists, would have satisfied their own aspirations in trying to create a state of anarchy in the country.
Ihejirika, who spoke at the Army Officers’ Mess, Military Cantonment, Onitsha, Anambra State, during the commissioning of some refurbished military vehicles, including prime movers, ammunition carriers and command post vehicles.
He said he was impressed that Ndigbo were sensible enough to have shunned reprisal attacks.
He expressed optimism that with the support of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Onitsha business community, the terrorists would not only be surmounted and kicked out of the country, but also kicked out of neighboring countries.
He also commended the Onitsha business community for the support and co-operation given to his officers and men in the commercial city and urged them not to relent in their efforts.
Ihejirika said: “My officers and men are here to do a peculiar and selfless job for mankind”.
He also warned the soldiers to be patient and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of Nigerian soldiers, particularly during this democratic dispensation.
Earlier in his  remarks, Commandant of Army Corp Artillery of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen A. K. Kwaskebe, had commended Ihejirika for approving the refurbishment of miliary vehicles and equipment which were abandoned in Calabar, Cross River State, after some foreign peace missions.
Kwaskebe disclosed that some contractors had bidded for refurbishment at N300 million but added that the military applied direct labour which paid off as only N18 million was spent for the refurbishment.
He said of the amount, N2 million was expended on the procurement of tyres, while N3 million was used for the evacuation of broken down vehicles from Calabar to Onitsha.
Prominent businessmen who attended the ceremony included the chairman of Anambra State Security Trust Fund and chairman of GUO Group of Companies Limited, Chief G. U. Okeke; the chairman of Lake Petroleum Limited, Chief Cletus Mbaji, among others.
Meanwhile, the United Eastern Congress, a body standing as the central voice of the Easterners has described Ihiejrika’s visit to Onitsha Military Cantonment as a  demonstration of his total love every Igbo man has for the unity of this entity called Nigeria.
The President of the association, Nze Sam Ike, who made the commendation, said the Chief of Army Staff had in less than three years in office, proved that his appointment as the COAS by the President Goodluck  Jonathan was well placed.