Governors of the 19 northern states have greeted residents across the North for remaining peaceful despite clashes between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and soldiers in Abia State which endangered some northerners in parts of the South.

The governors called on residents across the region to permanently sustain the peace, saying no law abiding Nigerian deserves to be punished for the mere fact that he or she happens to be living or doing business in any part of the country.

The governors spoke through Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Mr Kashim Shettima, in a statement by his Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, yesterday.

The governors acknowledged that they were aware of spill over concerns in Jos, Plateau State and were also aware of the rapid step taken by their colleague, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State who immediately declared a dusk to dawn curfew that restored peace.

The governors however noted that despite the patriotism displayed by residents, their administrations had since placed security forces on alert to tackle any unforeseen attempt to cause breach of security.

They called on all residents to, irrespective of tribe and religion, see themselves as equal Nigerians who have the same right to freely live in any part of Nigeria as provided by the Nigerian constitution which they are under oath to preserve, protect and defend.

They called on all Nigerians to support and promote peaceful co-existence, maintaining that the collective vision to have a greater and prosperous Nigeria could only be actualised under an atmosphere of peace and stability.

The northern governors commiserated with Nigerians affected by the violence and urged northerners operating in any part of the country to remain law abiding and calm, adding that they shared in their concerns and would continually take lawful measures to support them under any circumstance they find themselves. (Daily Trust)