4th February, 2012
MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano
Heeding to the directive of the leader of Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biaftra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazururike, urging all Igbos to leave the North, hundreds of easterners in Kano, northwest Nigeria flooded motor parks today.
Leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state have also opened a register for the indigent Igbos, mostly women and children to be conveyed down to Eastern Nigeria free.
A source from Ohanaeze secretariat in Kano told P.M.NEWS that already, two buses are on ground to convey Igbos back to their homes.
According to the source, Chief Uwazurike who was recently crowned Eze Igbo Gburugburu to succeed the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, sent buses to parts of the North to convey Igbos back home.
According to the Ohanaeze source, “the leader of MASSOB has sent two buses for Kano and people are coming forward to register for the movement. Our people are determined to leave,” said the source.
However, security has further been boosted in the ancient city as helicopters hover around.
Two helicopters belonging to the immigration and the police are in 24 hours surveillance.
Joint security forces are deployed to all borders, monitoring movements, just as soldiers and mobile police men patrol flash points, including Sabon Gari predominantly dominated by non-natives.
Commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Achaba in the northern commercial city are forced off the ignition walk past with their passengers, while all vehicles are thoroughly searched.
According to a police source, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar is standing all officers on their feet, even though he is still mourning his late wife, Maryam.
He is ready to tackle the Boko Haram insurgence and other security challenges, a senior police officer at Kano’s Bompai police headquarters told P.M.NEWS.
“I must tell you that the police are currently undergoing severe reform. Despite the death of his wife, Oga is resolute to face security challenges. He has been moving round, he works 24 hours to ensure that the image of the Force is redeemed,” the officer said.
Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the state governor, is also working hard to bring Kano out from the brinks, “a series of security meetings have been going on. The governor is consulting with all stakeholders, including elders, traditional rulers and religious leaders,” a Government House source said.