News Thumb Magazine ..news reporting..
Prominent northern leader and international rights activist, Alhaji Musa Saidu has expressed worries with the unrest in the east, promising to mediate to end killings by unknown gunmen in Igbo land.
Speaking few days after the attack of Senator Ifeanyi Uba in Anambra state ,Alhaji Saidu recalled that he played major roles in bringing about cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta region, adding that he went round several militant camps and creeks to engage ex militants to embrace the amnesty offered by the federal government.
Continuing, he said as an aide of the late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye , he ran errands assigned him by his principal across the north for peace in the Niger Delta, adding that on one occasion he even arranged a meeting between former president Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Biriye at General Babangida’s house in Minna, Niger state.
” General Babangida is still alive to speak on this. At the end of that meeting General Babangida commended me for the effort and said Nigeria will appreciate my contribution from my space.”
Alhaji Saidu who is also the leader of Arewa in the south said he got a call recently from some persons from the east, urging him to come and drive peace in the east.
“I made a statement last time in the papers, I advised Igbo political leaders on the security problem in the east. This was after I got a call from persons in the east who said I have been making peace for over thirty years across the country.They said they called me because they were ready to make peace through me. They said they will want me to drive the peace in the east. They said the unknown gunmen are known. And they want me to come and mediate for return of peace in Igbo land “.
“They arranged a meeting between me and a Kanu relative. He said Kanu did not plan to divide Nigeria. He said some politicians betrayed him. We all addressed the VOA on the issue.
” I assured them I will do my best. We spoke to the VOA. They said the unknown gunmen are known. They said I should spear head the peace that they know me as a peace builder for over thirty years.
“When I saw this attack on Senator Ifeanyi Uba, I said it was time I stepped out to drive peace in the east. I am ready for this role now. I did alongside other stakeholders in Niger delta and the country to bring peace in Niger Delta, I want to do same in the east. “.
Saidu who was part of call for establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC , to promote peace in the region said he was sad over the killing of security men in the convoy of Senator Uba.
“Why should police die in the convoy. What is the concern of police in the matter ? I have been so disturbed. It is time for peace in the east. I offer myself to drive this process “.
