Sequel to heart rending reports of shooting, and attendant bloodletting in Orlu and environ, as a result of clashes between the military and youths suspected to be members of the Independent People of Biafra IPOB, Orlu leaders and stakeholders have condemned and called for an end to the sad development.
Prof Protus Uzoma, Secretary General of Orlu Elders’ Council and Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Orluzurumee Socio-management Union, the apex umbrella body of the 12 LGAs in Orlu zone, at a press briefing in Owerri last Tuesday, said the attention of Orluzurumee soico-cultural union “ has been drawn to the unwarranted killing, maiming and harassment of innocent people in Orlu, by the military and other security agencies.”
He also said, “in view of the realities on ground, it is alleged that there is a conflict between the South East security network and the Nigeria military that has resulted in rampant killings, harassment and intimidation of the people for quite some time.”
He regretted that the gory development and it’s attendant consequences are under reported.
Prof Uzoma advised law enforcement agencies to use their intelligence network to track perpetrators of such heinous act against humanity.”
“ Like the governor said recently, people are being killed on daily basis. If the military is at war with any group of people they should with the aid of intelligence network, track their target instead of this mode of transferred aggression that has resulted in the death of innocent citizens who fall victim in the course of going about their lawful businesses.”
He commended the governor for rising to the occasion and imposing a dawn to dusk curfew in the area to control the crisis and called on the federal government for assistance in quelling the crisis. He however cautioned against allowing the military monitor compliance to the curfew to avoid a repeat of what happened at Obigbo in Rivers state.
He urged governors in the South East region to take a cue from their counterparts in the South West who came together irrespective of political affiliation to form Amotekum that now protects their people.
Chief Ejike Uche Dimkpa-asaa, a member of the Interim Management Committee of Orluzurumee, in his contribution, said, “ it is alleged that soldiers now go from house to house in Orlu, in search of their targets. If this is true, it should stop forthwith to avoid a repeat of what happened at Obigbo. The harassment, intimidation and bloodletting should not, under any circumstance be allowed to condone.”
Also speaking Comrade Precious Nwadike, pioneer President of Orluzurumee Youth assembly and UPP senatorial candidate for Orlu zone in the 2019 election wondered why none of the political leaders in Orlu have deemed it necessary to speak out and condemn the shooting, killing and maiming of innocent people in their area. “It is sad and regrettable that none of those elected by the electorate to defend them and speak on their behalf have spoken or issued a release about what is happening to the people who gave them their mandate. This is an aberration that should not be allowed to continue. They should wake up from slumber and do the needful.”
