Umbrella group of Igbos,Ohanaeze Ndigbo,finally roared yesterday, warning that Igbos should not be further provoked as they are not cowards but capable of fighting back in the war being waged against them.

Ohanaeze issued the warning while reacting to Monday’s massacre of scores of their kinsmen during the bombing of the luxury bus park in Sabon Gari, Kano.

In a statement released in Enugu and signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu,Ohanaeze declared that it could no longer guarantee peace in the South-East and advised the federal government to act before it becomes late.

Said Ohanaeze in the statement: “We roundly condemn the sponsors and perpetrators of the continued cold blooded murder of fellow Nigerians. The Igbo nation is taking the heaviest toll on the casualty list and Ndigbo are grossly pained by this organised pogrom on her people.

“Ndigbo cannot continue to bear this unnecessary and unprovoked loss oftheir blood. Patriotism is just not enough. Keeping our restive youths calm has been an onerous job and only God has helped thus far. We can no longer guarantee the civil response of our people in a country that has become one huge slaughter house.

“The Federal Government must convince the people, especially Ndigbo, that they are safe in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Ohanaeze state chapters are to compile the names of all those affected in the bomb blasts.

“Let’s act fast. However, as a reminder, no tribe is essentially completely made up of cowards and Ndigbo are certainly no cowards.

“Need we remind these murderers that no ethnic group has the monopoly of violence? A final position will be taken in due course after due consultation with Igbo leadership.”