The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Taiwo Lakanu has called for peaceful co-existence between the indigenous people of the state and Hausa/Fulani settlers. The CP said this during a visit to Okigwe

Lakanu said his visit was proactive following the rumours making round the state that the indigenes were planning to attack the Hausa/Fulani people in the area

Lakanu’s speech was interpreted to the Hausa/Fulani people in their language by the leader of the Hausa/Fulani community in Okigwe, Alhaji Bui Yaya.

He said, “There is no time disparity and disunity in Nigeria will be allowed to rear their heads not to talk of this period. We shall not bring in ethnic sentiment in Nigeria now.

“For the fact that Hausa marry Igbo people and vice visa, it is enough to bring in lasting peace in Nigeria. I as the CP will not be alive in this state and allow it to happen.

“Imo State Police Command is ever ready to enforce all relevant laws to maintain our peace in the state and country at large.

“We will not allow either indigenous people or the non-indigenes to breach peace in the state. No person or group of persons should take law in his/their hands. We shall not condone that.”

The CP, pleaded with herdsmen in the area not take their cows to where they would destroy people’s farms and the people not to attack the herdsmen or kill their cows.

Reacting, Alhaji Bui Yaya said that there had not been any time the Hausa/Fulani was planning for reprisal.

“Even when four of our own were killed in Abia State, we did not launch back attack because of the way the governor and the police addressed us.”

Yaya, who said that the people of the state were misinformed about their activities in the state, refuting the allegation that they go around with weapons.

He called on security operatives to look out for any herdsman with dangerous weapons and apprehended them.