Imo Congress of America, a pressure group of indigenes of the state, has decried the state of insecurity and alleged extrajudicial killings currently going on in Imo.
The group expressed its concern over the development in a statement issued by its leadership to newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday.
The statement, signed by its National President and National Secretary, Mr Sampson Udeh, and Mr Reginald Godfrey, also condemned the series of attacks on security formations and government facilities in the state.
It, however, observed that “the operational mode of some security agencies” in the wake of the ugly incidents had left many innocent civilians dead.
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It argued that the killing of innocent persons by security operatives was a crime against humanity, saying that victims of such a crime must not be denied justice.
“We express our concern over the senseless killings of innocent Imo residents either intentionally or otherwise because they are crimes against humanity,” the group stated.
It further called on the masterminds of the serial attacks on government infrastructure to stop forthwith “because the officers being killed are our brothers and sisters.
“It is incontrovertible that such acts create instability and negate the calls for justice, fairness and equity in the country.
“Imo must not be turned into a state of anarchy where fear and intimidation of the citizenry pervade the land,” the group added.
It called for the withdrawal of troops from the streets and advised Gov. Hope Uzodinma to liaise with stakeholders to resolve the security challenge in the state.
“We want the governor to caution the security personnel to stop manhandling our people, who must be treated with respect and dignity”, it said. (NAN)