Imo State Congress Of America Bemoans Killings In Imo, Describes It As Crime Against Humanity
- – Calls For immediate Demilitarization Of State
Imo State Congress of America has decried the spate of killings in the state, especially innocent youngsters and elderly in state, calling on the military and other security agencies to stop forthwith.
The apex Imo leadership body in the Americas registered their worries in a statement signed by their National President, Engr. Sampson Udeh and its National Secretary, Rev. Dr. Reginald Godfrey.
The group while condemning attacks on security formations and government facilities in the state, expressed concerned over the inhuman operational mode of the security agencies where innocent people are targeted, main and killed without any justifiable reason.
ISCA views the ongoing intentional killing of the the innocent Imo residents by suspected security personnel as crime against humanity.
The Imo group in Americas called on Governor Uzodimma to called for the redeployment of the soldiers and work with other stakeholders to resolved the security situation in the state.
The statement reads:
“Imo State Congress of America wishes express her concerns over the senseless killings and the Human Right violations in Imo State
“While we condemn the relentless attacks on security formations in the state and South East in general, we call on those who are behind the acts to immediately stop as those officers being killed are also our brothers, sisters, relations and parents.
“It is incontrovertible that such acts create instability and will not in any way justify the calls for justice, fairness and equity.
“Imo must not be turned into a state of anarchy where fear, intimidation of the citizenry pervade the land. This will only bring
“We have heard of the illegal arrest of the youths and residents in Owerri without any reason advanced for the exercise. It is even more worrisome that these young Imo Youths are taken to an unknown destinations without any of their relations knowing their where about. This constitutes violation of their human rights and the international community frowns at such primitive treatment against humanity.
“We are aware of the Killings perpetrated against innocent Imo stars, especially those in the Universities.
“Chiwueze Kingsley, 300 level law Student in Imo State was murdered in cold blood the same night shooting spree was reported around Douglas Road Owerri. He was dumped in a movie with no one agreeing to be the mastermind.
“We strongly condemn the killing of a young vibrant and enterprising Imo son, Mr. Noel Chigbu who was wickedly murdered by soldiers, claiming he violated check point rules, a flimsy excuse that is not tenable in any civilized world.
“On April 27, Divine Nwaneri, a 25-year-old 100 level student of Soil Science and Biotechnology was murdered by soldiers guiding Governor Uzodimma at the government House gate, Owerri.
“Again recent arrests of Imo Youths around Umuonyeali, Mbaitoli Local Government area of Imo State is a case in point that we are tempted to believe that the uncivilized actions of the security personnel are driven by heinous agenda of some powerful people.
“With the way innocent Imo sons and daughters are being killed seems a tacit ploy that may not be far from “ethnic cleansing”.
“We have had case of a certain ethnic group, which took laws into its hand, attacked the police and government officials in Enugu State with AK47 which was widely reported. Till date, there are no reports of arrests or disarmament.
“Imo today is militarised with shooting spree in the name of quelling security challenges when Uzodimma led government has tacitly chosen to look the other way against injustice, inequity and lack of fair play in the Polity.
“On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, there was reported incident of unwarranted shooting of innocent Imo people directly to kill them at their business place at Ogbo-Osisi in Naze, Owerri. The gory videos and photos of the victims of the shootings tell a horrific story. Again, innocent young man who was eating in a canteen was said to have been stabbed by men of Nigerian Police severally and was taken away.
“Meanwhile, a poor struggling widow’s son who was busy helping his mother was also taken away. How can a supposedly trained police officers shoot at people at the market place.
“According to reports, Federal Medical Center, Owerri has revealed the act of carnage being perpetrated in the state as it has become a dumping morgue for the human games.
“Over one hundred youths are reportedly being held in the police custody for no justifiable reason. We were shocked to read from Governor Hope Uzodimma who boldly stated that over 400 Imo sons and daughters have been in detention for about one month.
“We call on Governor Uzodimma to caution the security personnel he deployed against our people and call them to order. He must not allow the alleged continued manhandling and unwarranted torture of Imo citizens. Our people must be treated with respect and dignity.
“We query the modus operandi of the security agencies in the state because it suffices that modern detectives work better with intelligence rather than market place approach, where people are just detained illegally against their will and in most cases murdered in cold blood.
“We Insist that only peace can bring about progress and pursuit of peace does not include creating the state of fear, intimidation, wanton killings of innocent people as being perpetrated by the military, police and other sister security personnel. Infringing on people’s rights and freedom can no longer be allowed to thrive as we shall use every legitimate means to challenge these acts of genocide.
“On Tuesday, May 17, 2021, it was reported that after about 30 minutes unidentified gunmen had left the scene of crime, the police with other joint forces came back to start shooting sporadically and unprofessionally. Imo recorded four innocent deaths even as many innocent people sustained various degrees of bullet injuries.
“Our thoughts are with the families of Late Mrs Georginia Akuruka, of Amankuta Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA, and Late Mr Mathew Opara (Nwatakwocha), of Oziri Iyishi, other families from Mbaise, Orlu zone and numerous others who lost their loved ones.
“We also call on Imo State stakeholders to join and rise to the occasion and ensure that peace is restored in Imo State and that animosity against innocent Imo sons and daughters is stopped.
“For us, we shall continue to do our best by appealing to our people to settle for dialogue despite the injustices meted out to the Igbo race even as we hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will rise up to the occasion as a leader of the country and not as a representative of a particular ethnic group.”
Rev. Dr. Reginald Godfrey
ISCA Nat’l Secretary General
