Be humane in your relationship with Ndigbo, Ohanaeze tasks Nigerian Army

 

 .IPOB condemns killings, abduction of members

 

By Pamela Eboh Awka and COSMAS CHUKWU, Enugu

 

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,

Ambassador Professor George A. Obiozor has appealed to the Nigerian Army to be humane and compassionate in their relationship with commuters and people of the South East of Nigeria.

He made the remarks when the GOC of the 82 Division of

Nigerian Army, Major General T.A Lagbaja paid him a courtesy visit at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, GRA, Enugu on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

Before commencing  the meeting , the President General

requested for a minute of silence in honour of two

deceased First Ladies  from  the South East, namely Chief Mrs.Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and Chief Mrs. Adanma Okpara, wives of the former military Head of State. Major General J.T.U

Aguiyi Ironsi and Rt. Hon. Dr. Michael I. Okpara, the former

Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, respectively.

 

The President General expressed his appreciation for  having constant

consultations with the GOC on the security situation in the South East zone and emphasized the necessity to create conditions and environment to reduce tension and feeling of insecurity in the zone.

Ambassador Obiozor informed the GOC of

the various complaints by commuters on the roads in the South East zone over Army check points.

He  then appealed to the GOC to kindly look into these complaints.

Responding, the GOC promised to look into the complaints including the issue of demanding that commuters come out of their vehicles and raise their hands while crossing the checkpoints.

 

Both parties   resolved on constant consultations.

Meanwhile the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned  incessant killings and unprovoked attacks and abduction of persons suspected to be members of IPOB and Eastern Security Network, ESN operatives in Ebonyi state by the Nigeria security agents.

 

The group accused the state Governor, Dave Umahi and Ebubeagu security outfit if conniving to perpetrate the act.

 

iPOB media and publicity secretary, Emna Powerful in a statement to journalists in Awka, said the killings were geared towards unleashing terror on innocent citizens of Ebonyi State, and possibly stop them from supporting the agitation for Biafra restoration.

 

The statement partly read, “These agents of oppression supported by Gov. Dave Umahi have continued to kill IPOB members and innocent Biafrans, tagging them ESN operatives.

 

“Over 300 members of IPOB are currently languishing in jail and other detention facilities across Ebonyi State, and many have died in the prison.Two days ago three people died in prison because of torture from the security agents.

 

“It is only shameful that while the federal government with the support of Northern governors is busy freeing and rehabilitating captured Fulani terrorists and bandits , some treacherous South East Governors are busy killing their own people who volunteered themselves to protect their homes from invaders who continuously slaughtering our mothers, wives and sisters in the bushes and forests in our territory.”

 

IPOB reeled out the names of the dead inside the Ebonyi prison to include, Mazi Obinna Iroegbul, Onye Army, Sydney, among others who were suffering from torture meted out to them by the Nigeria security agencies.

 

The statement added, “These oppressors must be held accountable because they committed no atrocities by defending their ancestral lands from the Futa Jaleon invaders.

 

“We are calling on Gov. Dave Umahi’s associates and friends to caution him because we won’t tolerate this barbarity any further.

 

“Ebonyi people should call Dave Umahi to order before he turns Ebonyi into another slaughter ground like Imo State.”