The umbrella body of Igbo communities under the aegis of the Association of South East Town Unions has condemned the recent killing of 14 Igbo youths by armed men suspected to be Ebubeagu security outfit at Otulu community in Oru West, Imo State.

A statement on Saturday by the group’s National President, Chief Emeka Diwe, described the killing and other killings of Igbo youth across South-East states as ethnic cleansing being perpetrated by Nigerian security agencies without recourse to the follow the process of the law.

Diwe regretted that lives were no longer worth a penny in Nigeria, particularly in Igbo land.

He said, “The killing of 14 youths in Imo State is one killing too many. Whether the youths are returning from a wedding as reported by a section of the public or are gathered at a place on past time, no group of persons by whatever name has the right to take away life without exploring all the openings required by law.”

 

He described the Imo State Government defence on the Awomama massacre as stated by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Declan Emelumba, that the boys were bandits who were neutralised at their camp by operatives of Department of Security Services while planning how to enforce the sit-at-home order the next day, as baseless and called for thorough investigation.

The group’s president queried when it had become a death sentence for people to gather to have a meeting if the government argument should be conceded.

He called on Imo State Government to rise up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of Imo people rather than engaging in arguments after lives had been lost.

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x