The Association of Igbo Town Unions, ASITU, has taken its grievances to the international stage, petitioning the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as the “systematic demolition” of properties belonging to Igbo traders and investors in Lagos State.

Addressing journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, the National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, decried the continued targeting of Igbo-owned businesses and structures, alleging that the actions amounted to “economic cleansing.”

Diwe lamented that Nigeria was “gradually dying from the cancer of ethnic discrimination and selective justice,” accusing government institutions of failing to uphold fairness and equality.

Flanked by members of ASITU’s national executive council drawn from various Igbo communities, Diwe explained that the petition followed multiple unsuccessful attempts to engage with relevant Nigerian authorities.

“We have not lost faith in Nigerian institutions, but they have consistently failed to respond to our documented complaints. That is why we have turned to regional and international bodies for intervention,” he stated.

The ASITU president faulted the Lagos State Government’s justification that the affected buildings were constructed on waterways, describing it as a misleading claim designed to mask deeper biases.

“These properties were lawfully acquired and duly approved by relevant agencies. Such demolitions send a disturbing message to investors, that property rights in Nigeria are insecure and that ethnicity may determine how justice is applied,” Diwe asserted.

He argued that the destruction of legitimate businesses not only discourages investment but also threatens job creation, economic stability, and Nigeria’s international image as a country governed by the rule of law.

According to ASITU, most of the demolition notices were served just days before enforcement, denying property owners the opportunity to seek legal remedy.

The group also accused officials of disregarding valid approval documents submitted by affected traders.

“Many of these buildings had valid permits issued by the same Lagos State Government that later tore them down. This is not law enforcement. It is the deliberate erasure of livelihoods and a violation of constitutional guarantees of equality and justice,” Diwe said.

While urging those affected to remain calm and law-abiding, ASITU called on the Igbo business community to rechannel part of their wealth into the South-East to foster economic independence.

“To our brothers and sisters in business, do not lose hope. Let us embrace the philosophy of Aku Ruo Ulo, let wealth return home,” Diwe advised. “When we invest in our homeland, we create jobs, security, and dignity for our people.”

He clarified that the association’s call for justice was not an agitation for secession but a demand for fairness, mutual respect, and equitable treatment of all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The Lagos State Police Command says it has deployed officers across strategic locations to forestall any disruption of public peace following intelligence reports of a planned protest on the Third Mainland Bridge by some youths in the Oworonshoki area.

In a statement released in the early hours of Monday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the police assured residents that robust security measures have been put in place to maintain law and order throughout the state.

“The Command is aware of information circulating regarding a planned disruption on the Third Mainland Bridge by some youths in the Oworonshoki area,” the statement read.

According to Adebisi, officers have been fully mobilised to safeguard road users, prevent obstruction of vehicular movement, and ensure the safety of lives and property.

She urged residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities without fear, adding that police personnel have been strategically positioned to respond promptly to any potential security threat.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to go about their lawful activities without fear and to cooperate with security personnel carrying out their duties,” Adebisi stated.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while ensuring the free flow of traffic across Lagos.

The lawmaker representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has said that the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will bring peace to the Southeast.

This was as he said peace has continued to elude the Southeast geopolitical zone due to the perceived marginalisation of the region by successive governments.

Nwoko stated this in an interview on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

According to him, the Southeast has witnessed persistent unrest in recent years, following agitations by the separatist group, which has been calling for the creation of an independent state of Biafra.

He maintained that the creation of Anioma State and the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, will almost certainly bring lasting peace to the Southeast.

“The problem in the Southeast has to do with the perceived injustice by successive governments.

“So, what needs to be done, and it’s one of the reasons I am here today, is the creation of a new state to make up the number to six, and then the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“By the time you do these two things, I am almost certain that peace will return to the Southeast,” he said.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted varying weather conditions, including dust haze and rainfall, across different parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday, urging residents to stay alert.

In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet projected slight dust haze with good visibility over Borno, Zamfara, northern Kaduna, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States on Monday.

The agency added that isolated thunderstorms with light rain were likely in parts of Taraba and Adamawa States during the afternoon or evening hours on Monday.

NiMet forecast sunny skies with patches of clouds over the central region, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms and light rain in the FCT, Nasarawa, and Kogi States later in the day.

The statement read, “Cloudy conditions are expected in the southern region on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.

“Later in the afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.

“On Tuesday, NiMet forecast continued slight dust haze in good visibility over northern states, while Taraba and Adamawa may experience isolated thunderstorms and light rain throughout the day.

“Sunny skies with intermittent clouds are predicted in the central region, alongside chances of early morning thunderstorms in Benue and later moderate rain across FCT, Nasarawa, and Kogi States.”

NiMet also projected cloudy skies across the southern states, with moderate rainfall over Rivers, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom in the morning, intensifying later in the day.

The agency warned of possible flooding in parts of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States, urging local authorities to activate emergency response measures where necessary.

For Wednesday, NiMet anticipated sunny skies across the northern region, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain expected later in the day, particularly over parts of Taraba State.

“The central region will experience sunny skies with patches of clouds, while isolated thunderstorms with light rain are likely over Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.

“In the south, cloudy conditions are expected in the morning, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rains later in the afternoon and evening across Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom,” it stated.

NiMet reiterated a high risk of flash floods, urging motorists to exercise caution when driving in rain and for authorities in vulnerable areas to implement flood response measures immediately.

The agency also advised individuals with asthma and respiratory conditions to limit outdoor exposure due to dust particles suspended in the atmosphere over the northern parts of the country.

Airline operators were urged to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for flight planning, while the public was encouraged to follow updates via the agency’s website and communication channels.