Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has declared support for the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB.
NEF leader, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, gave the position of the group while addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
He said having witnessed terrorism over the years, the North was against the “emerging terrorism” in the South-East.
Unongo said the NEF would not “sit idly and watch the nation sink into chaos under new and additional threats”.
He said, “The North recognises and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the current operations of the Nigerian state.
“The North has very clear ideas on all issues and positions that the nation sees as challenges and is willing to dialogue on all of them.
“What the North will not allow, however, is to be stampeded into adopting anagenda and grand designs from other parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests.
“The North will demand a respectful and responsible approach to its participation in the search for answers to the many questions confronting our country.
“We will also insist that the constitution and our national institution, such as the National Assembly be accorded due and appropriate recognition in all initiatives and efforts towards addressing our challenges.”
NEF commiserated with the families of the victims of the attacks in some states in the South-east and South-south.
The body also endorsed the presence of the military and other security personnel in all areas where peace and security were several threatened.
It also hailed the “restrained and mature reaction of the Northern leadership and the decision taken by the South-East governors to denounce the activities of the IPOB”.
Unongo said the NEF would remain vigilant over the security and welfare of the northerners in South-East, South-South and all over Nigeria.
The body called on the Federal Government to investigate the reports of illegal importation of huge quantities of arms into the country and prosecute those found culpable.
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