The reported killing of an Igbo trader in Ogun State has attracted condemnations, with both the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide and Igbo National Union World-Wide, INU-W, issuing ultimatum to the Ogun State Government.
It was alleged that the victim, a woman, Blessing Eze, was killed at Ifo Market, in Ogun State by a gang.
The armed group, said to be parading as government agents, were said to have stabbed Blessing on the chest, resulting in her death.
Sources said her offence was refusing to pay a N1,500 religious levy imposed on the traders at the market.
Reacting, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike in a statement on Wednesday, said the Ogun State Government has 7 days to provide clear details on what led to the death of the Igbo woman.
“We need to know why she was killed; who are those behind her gruesome murder?
“What has the government done to get justice for her? Have the perpetrators been arrested?
“The Ogun State government has 7 days to respond appropriately. Time has gone when Ndigbo are continuously treated as slaves in their own country.
“This gruesome murder of an innocent Igbo trader would not be condoned; we must fight until she gets justice,” Okwu vowed.
He also called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to take over the investigation of the matter.
"We are urgently appealing to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to take over the investigation of the matter. This is the only way to guarantee justice for the victim's family," Okwu stated.
Similarly, the INU-W, in a press statement issued by its National Spokesperson, Ngozi Ogbomor, condemned the killing of Blessing.
The group wondered why the government would impose such a levy on traders in the guise of a Muslim festival, without even considering the fact that not all traders at the Market are Muslims.
INU-W, called on the relevant authorities to thoroughly look into the killing and ensure that justice was done to discourage such a dastardly act in the future.
According to Ogbomor, the daylight murder of the innocent and hapless woman, had once again portrayed Igbos as targets for annihilation at any slightest provocation allegedly by the Nigerian State and her security agents.
He stated that it was baffling that Eze was killed over her unwillingness to pay an illegally imposed levy for a religious festival that had nothing to do with the market activities.
"What concerns the traders with a Muslim festival that they are not part of?
“And why impose religious levies on non-muslim adherents?
“It can now be deduced that to the perpetrators, Igbo life is worth less than One US Dollar. God forbid.
“It is disheartening that both the security agencies and the State Government are yet to respond to the dastardly act or make statements over the incident.
"It is on this nonchalant attitude that the Igbo National Union World-Wide is giving the Ogun State Government seven days ultimatum to wade into the matter, effect the arrests and see that justice is served as to assuage frayed nerves. “Or INU-W will be compelled to embark on any course of action that we deem necessary to make sure Blessing Eze did not die in vain", the group stated.
"Igbo INU-W will patiently wait for the final outcome of this heinous act perpetrated by the so-called touts, before coming out with our own resolve,” the group warned.
“Since it has now been established that such levies can be imposed and forcefully collected by agents of the State Government without anyone raising eyebrows, then it means the Igbos are very vulnerable in Nigeria.
"Ndigbo will henceforth impose levies on sojourners in the entire Igbo nation (not only on businesses), including wheelbarrow pushers mai-guards shoe shiners, agbo (trado-herbs vendors), among others during our New Yam festivals and Igba Mmanwu (Masquerades) ceremonies," the group threatened.
"Igbo will continue fighting for their survival and acceptance in Nigeria. We must henceforth stamp our right to existence and showcase the essence of why God created and planted us in this part of the universe. Enough of these intimidation and extortion," the group added.