Shettima Yerima, the Leader of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, has said he is ready to submit himself for questioning if security agencies declare him wanted.
Yerima, who is part of the leadership of the group that issued a notice to the Igbos to quit the 19 northern states, denied reports that he is on the run and insists he has nothing to fear.
Speaking with The Punch Yerima said, ”I did not go into hiding and will never go into hiding. We need to put the record straight.
”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,” he said.
Yerima, who insisted that he is not hiding, once again maintained that the Igbos should leave Nigeria.
”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?
”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,” he added.