Residents and groups have expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of killings of people in Imo state allegedly carried out by the state security outfit, Ebubeagu.
The residents who decried the recent killing of some youths in Awomamma on Sunday, called on the state government to disband the outfit
The group under the aegis of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), in a statement signed by its leader, Uchenna Madu described the security outfit as a dracula and agents of death established by Imo State government to hunt down real and imaginary enemies.
”This killing of innocent citizens is one of the several, uncountable and secret killing of our people by the Imo State Ebubeagu. They are primarily established as a witch-hunt outfit to fight political enemies and non violent pro- Biafra agitators”, it alleged.
It further alleged that the security outfit has been involved in the murder of several innocent youths in the state.
It called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to immediately disband it.
“The so-called Ebubeagu security outfit must cease their operation in Imo State now or we see their activities in Biafra land as a declaration of internal war.”, MASSOB said.
On their part, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), alleged that Ebubeagu was an illegal armed group and that the security agencies should arrest them and prosecute them.
COSEYL, through its President General, Goodluck Ibem, stated this to newsmen in Owerri, while reacting to the alleged killing of some youths and injuring of others by suspected members of Ebubeagu security outfit last Sunday as they were returning from a traditional wedding ceremony from Awomamma in Oru East local government to Otulu community in Oru West Local government area of the state.
“The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the apex socio-political youth group in the South East geopolitical zone is saddened by the barbaric, villainous and senseless killing of 14 innocent youths that came for traditional marriage in Awo – mama in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State by men of Ebubeagu security operatives. We condemn in the strongest terms.
“The groom and 9 persons that came with him for the traditional marriage at Awomama from Otulu community in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo were killed while the other 5 other persons are from the Awomama community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
“Also, 32 persons who were viciously attacked in the traditional marriage ceremony by the Ebubeagu operatives are in critical condition in the hospital. Their lives are hanging in the balance and they depend on God to make it out alive.
“We will not accept the killing of 14 innocent youths laying low. Governor Hope Uzodimma must resign within 7 days, resign from office as governor of Imo State or be impeached by the Imo State House of Assembly, else the youths will occupy the roads lawfully in protest to demand his resignation as the Executive Governor of Imo State. What we are seeing in Imo is longer democracy but tyranny taken too far.
“We are now a laughing stock among the comity of nations because of not having any value for human life and respect for fundamental human rights.
“Democracy is about problem-solving, bringing democracy dividends to the people and making people happy but what we are seeing now in Imo State is the direct opposite of what democracy should be.
“We humbly solicit the pro bono legal services of Femi Falana, SAN; Mike Ahamba, SAN; Mike Ozekhome, SAN; and all other legal luminaries in the country and outside the country. Please, come to the aid of Imo youths before they are exterminated from the surface of the earth”, the group stated.
Meanwhile, the Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma has urged members of the public to be wary of those using the incident as propaganda tool to blackmail the security agencies and the government.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, and Media Adviser, Mr. Oguwike Nwachukwu, said the Governor made the call after the Imo State Security Council meeting.
Governor Uzodimma said: “Government has been briefed on the incident by the Director of State Services, DSS, in an interim report made available to members of the Security Council.
“The DSS Director confirmed that his men carried out an operation in a camp at Awo mama with the assistance of their informant and not at a wedding place as claimed by the youths and it was in the process that some bandits were neutralized.”
Uzodimma also said that “while the Security Council awaits detailed report on the incident, it is important that the public are wary of those using the incident as propaganda tool to blackmail the security agencies and the government.”
Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to describe as “fallacy”, the claim on the social media and sections of the traditional media, about a 15-year old girl allegedly impregnated in the DSS detention.
