The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), a group representing Igbo youths, has demanded the immediate release of Eze Fredrick Nwajagu, the Eze Igbo in Ajao Estate, Lagos, who was arrested on Saturday by the Department of State Services (DSS). The arrest was made in response to a viral video in which Nwajagu had threatened to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to help protect Ndigbo living in Lagos and their property against attacks by hoodlums.
In a statement by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL criticized the DSS and the Nigeria Police for chasing shadows instead of addressing the real problem. Ibem questioned why MC Oluomo, who had allegedly intimidated Igbos during last month’s gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, was not pursued by the police and the DSS.
COSEYL expressed disappointment that the security operatives lost their steam when Igbos were allegedly attacked during the March 18 elections in Lagos but suddenly regained it after Nwajagu’s comment. The group asserted that Nwajagu’s comment was a result of the continued silence of security operatives despite the alleged attack on Igbos in Lagos.
COSEYL warned that security operatives should not maltreat Igbos in Lagos and pointed out that the police and DSS had done nothing when thugs were killing and attacking Igbos and their properties in Lagos during and after the general elections.