The spate of unguarded utterances pitching regions of the country against one another has been on the increase the past few months and the federal government has largely been passive in taking corrective measures. The number of anti-Igbo sounds coming from the north is alarming to say the least.
President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, in a statement on Thursday said it was surprising that northern leaders were yet to openly condemn the hate songs. “The current Hausa hate song trending in the social media is despicable, sad and disappointing. Ohanaeze is appalled that prominent leaders in the north (with the exception of a few), have allowed this development to flourish without reproach. “The Arewa youths have stoked the embers of hatred to a discomforting temperature. The toleration of their criminal conduct has portrayed the Federal government as biased and unfair.”
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Garba Abari, has said security agencies have begun a manhunt for those behind the anti-Igbo song, adding that the agency had intercepted more anti-Igbo songs outside the one that has caused ripples in the polity.
“NOA is in possession of at least three songs already recorded to preach hate in our communities. Two out of these songs are in mass circulation in the social media, particularly on Facebook and Youtube. “The latest one was only released three days ago. The more disturbing part of this is that each of the songs appears to want to outdo the other”, the DG said.
He added that security agencies have begun manhunt for composers and sponsors of the hate songs and assured that government would protect lives and property of Nigerians.
“We are also aware that messages from Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group have continually been filled with hate and derision for other ethnic communities. “We have also noticed that those who dare to call them to order have become the subject of attack by these groups through their songs and messages,” Abari added.
He warned that hate speeches may plunge Nigeria into serious crisis, disclosing that State Directorates and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) of NOA had been directed to commence peace-building sensitisation to communities to reassure them of government’s commitment to their safety.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said it is planning to enact a law that will criminalise hate speech in the country, the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), has said.
Dambazau, who was a former chief of army staff, said a draft of the proposed bill had already been submitted to the ministry of justice.
