Some members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) attack Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president, in Nuremberg, Germany.
The attack occurred on Saturday during the annual cultural festival of the Ndigbo, foremost social-cultural group in the south-east.
In a statement released by Uche Anichukwu, the senator’s media aide, on behalf of his principal, the former senate president said he had received numerous solidarity and heartfelt messages from benevolent Nigerians.
Ekweremadu also assured Ndigbo and his supporters across the nation of his safety and physically well-being.
“I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nurnberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however could not make it eventually,” he said in the statement.
“I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.
“I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue.
“Much as I am disappointed in their conduct, especially as I am one of the persons who have spoken up on justice for Ndigbo, the Python Dance, judicial killings in Igbo land and elsewhere both on the floor of the Senate and in my written and personal engagements with the Presidency as well as rallied the South East Senate Caucus to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe taking him on bail to douse tension in the South East, I nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.
“I have received thousands of solidarity calls and messages from well meaning Ndigbo. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar”.
Reacting to the incident, Tuggar described the attack as unfortunate, adding that the embassy will look into the matter.
“The incident involving Sen Ekweremadu at Nuremberg Germany is most unfortunate,” the ambassador said.
“He is ok and I have assured him the Embassy will look into the matter thoroughly. Overwhelming majority of Nigerians in Germany are disciplined and law abiding and the incident didn’t stop the event.”