The Leader of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima has denied reports that he is on the run but instead said that he would gladly submit himself to security agencies if wanted for questioning.
He is one of the main persons that issued a quit notice to Igbos in the northern and in an interview with Punch, he said that he has nothing to fear, contrary to reports.
“I did not go into hiding and will never go into hiding. We need to put the record straight,” Yerima said. “For now, nobody is looking for me and I am ready to submit myself if I am called. I am not a joker. Nobody is looking for me and I am not hiding anywhere from anybody. I am in my village, I am a Nigerian. If anybody looks for me, I will submit myself. I am not above the law. I am not on the run.”
When asked about the quit notice to Igbos, he insists that they should go back to their home states.
“Why should I go into hiding? I have a name, I have a face. I am not faceless. I am not hiding anywhere. Why should I hide? Where did I go wrong? Somebody wants to go and I said, ‘go, you’re free to go’. What is wrong about it?” he asked.
“You cannot be in our country and begin to clamour for another country. Go to your place and declare your own country, not in my zone. It is a simple language. I have not committed any offence.”