Ugochi OkoroBy Ugochi Okoro
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the attack on military officials in Imo State.
In a statement he personally signed, the Ohanaeze, President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressed sadness over the incident.
Chief Iwuanyanwu conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian security agencies affected by the attack, saying it is completely unacceptable. He expressed concern about the manner in which security officers are being targeted and killed across the country.
He said: “My heart bleeds at the sad events in Igbo land where Igbos are for the first time, killing fellow Igbos. I am equally very distressed by the rate at which the Nigerian security operatives are killed not only in Igboland but all over the country, worse still is the suspected reprisal attack where innocent Igbo Sons and Daughters from Mbano in Imo State have found their lives and means of livelihood completely destroyed this situation is completely unacceptable to me it is unacceptable to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and indeed unacceptable to all honest, right thinking and patriotic Nigerians I condemn it in strong terms.”
Some security officers were attacked and killed in the Umualumaku community Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State on Tuesday morning.
Members of the Joint Security Task Force were said to be in security trucks when they ran into an ambush. They were set ablaze by their attackers with none of them surviving as they were burnt inside their security vehicles.
A video of the incident that went viral showed bodies of the victims and their vehicles severely burnt.
Similar incidents have occurred in other states in the South-East region.
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Chief Iwuanyanwu said he has directed an Ohanaeze team under the Chairmanship of Barrister CJ Ihemedu the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo State Chapter to get a comprehensive report on the matter.
He called on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators of “this heinous crime and make sure they face the law.”
“I also urge the Federal Government to put in place necessary security measures to forestall the reoccurrence of this sad event.”
He further stated that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo is committed to undertaking a total transformation of Igbo land. “By this transformation, more job opportunities will be created in Igboland for school leavers; and infrastructure for businessmen and women.”
He expressed deep sympathy to the families of the security men who were gruesomely murdered and the people of Mbano whose shops and houses were destroyed during the reprisal attack.
He prayed to the Almighty God to take control of events in Igbo land so that peace, happiness, and prosperity would return to the land.
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