- The federal government spoke about the issue of quit notice to Igbos
- It said the Arewa youths were not arrested for security reasons
- The government warned that it will not tolerate hate speech in the country
The federal government has explained that in spite of pressure, it refused to arrest the youths that issued quit notice to Igbos in the north due to security implications.
The quit notice to the Igbos in the north issued by the northern youths was criticised by a lot f the people in the country.
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Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna also issued a statement asking the police to arrest them but this didn’t happen.
The youths eventually withdrew the quit notice following call from prominent Nigerians for them to do so.
Vanguard reports that Mr. Abubakar Malami who is the minister of justice and the attorney-general of the federation explained that the youths were not arrested for security reasons.
He however insisted that the government would not hesitate to deal with anyone or group promoting hate speech.
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He said: “Government considered the security implications on the issue. Let me state that government is alive to its responsibility and whoever is found wanting will be prosecuted. This administration is determined to provide good governance and promote justice, peace and fairness”.
Meanwhile, the United Nations called on the federal government of Nigeria to investigate and prosecute people behind the ultimatum against Igbos in the norther part of the country and those responsible for the creation, publication and circulation of the hate song and audio message.
The UN made this known in a publication obtained from the office of the United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The UN which strongly condemns the ultimatum and hate songs said hate speech and incitement can endanger social cohesion and threaten peace by deepening the existing tensions between Nigeria’s ethnic communities.
Watch a NAIJ.com TV video below of Nigerians talking about the issue of restructuring of the country