Several Igbo socio-cultural organizations as well as town unions have condemned the killing of at least 21 unarmed members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) group by officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Enugu on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Sunday after police officers and DSS operatives attempted to arrest members of the proscribed group during a prayer meeting in Enugu on Sunday.
The IPOB members resisted the arrest and the security agents responded with force. At least 2 DSS officials and 21 IPOB members lay dead when the guns became silent.
While the DSS says only two people were killed and the police say 4, IPOB said 47 of its members were arrested that day.
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Reacting to the incident, the Association of South-East town unions condemned the use of live weapons on unarmed civilians.
The group through a statement signed by its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe and the Secretary, Chief Gideon Adikwuru called on the Federal Government to set up a Judicial Panel to prove the incident.
Excerpt from the statement read;
“We are deeply worried over the gory images and videos of the bodies of unarmed civilians alleged to be members of pro-Biafra groups, reportedly shot dead by security agencies and littering the streets of Emene in Enugu State.
“It is further perplexing that despite the deafening hues and cries from our people over the killings, rape, destruction and havoc against us by Fulani herdsmen, there has never been any clash between the herdsmen and security agencies, neither have the agencies demonstrated any seriousness in tackling the problem.”
“No progressive nation thrives on double standards and injustice. We reject completely the killing of Igbo people, no matter the pretext or guise under which it occurs.”
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to promptly set up a judicial panel of inquiry to ascertain the causes of the massacre in Enugu, and urge both the pro-Biafra agitators and security agencies to apply restraint, civility, professionalism and respect for human lives in all their activities.”
A second socio-cultural group, Nzuko Umunna also condemned the killing of the IPOB members and Igbo sons by security agencies. The group, in a statement through its National Coordinator, Ngozi Odumuko said the killings were unacceptable.
It urged the government to put a stop to the killings of unarmed Igbo youths and asked Governor Ifeanyi Ngwuanyi to set up a Judicial Panel to,
“to unravel the immediate and remote causes of these wanton killings, including the exact number of victims, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.”