Burning Of Akere Spare Parts Market Was A Direct Attack On Igbo Traders – South East Youth

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders(COSEYL) has condemned the burning down of the Akere spare parts market iin Olodi Apapa, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Naija News reported that arsonists set fire on some sections of the market in the early hours of last Wednesday and killed the 65-year-old security guard on duty.

Following the development, the state Governor, Babjide Sanwo-Olu,  asked security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators of the fire incident for prosecution.

But in is statement on Saturday night by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, the Coalition said  the burning of the spare parts market was a direct attack on the Igbo traders.

The Coalition said it was unfortunate that innocent traders who are not politicians and have nothing to do with politics are subjected to unprovoked attacks at all times.

It said the attack on the market followed the move by most Igbos to support the Labour Party governorship candidate in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, in the March 18 elections.

It, however, called on the Lagos government to ensure that all Igbos and other ethnic groups living in the state are protected from attacks.

The statement read in part: “It is unfortunate that innocent traders who are not politicians and have nothing to do with politics are subjected to unprovoked attacks at all times.

“We have Yorubas in South East doing their businesses and no one has ever discriminated against them or attacked them.

”It, however, said such discrimination has never been recorded in the Southeast, stressing that some Yoruba people were allowed to run for elective posts in the region.

“The Labour Party, LP, House of Assembly candidate in Umuahia Central State Constituency of Abia State by name Mr Anthony Abiola is a Yoruba boy and nobody is discriminating against him because he is not of Igbo origin.

“It has never happened in South East because we are peace-loving and very accommodating people. We accept strangers as our own brothers and sisters. Yorubas living in South East can attest to iI.”