Stop harassing our people, our people are law abiding, we don’t know any unknown gunmen – Ohafia monarchs to security operatives.
The Council of Ohafia monarchs in Abia State have condemned the harassment of citizens by security agencies searching for “unknown gunmen”.
Five traditional rulers expressed their grouse in a communique obtained by THE WHISPERER after a meeting on Monday.
They are Prof. E. U. L. Imaga – Udumeze Ohafia (Ezieogo Elu); Emmanuel Kalu Onugu (Ezieogo Asaga); Mba Odo Okereke (Ezieogo Akanu); A. W. A. Nwankwo (Ezieogo Amaekpu), and Ugbu Mmecha (Ezieogo Amangwu).
They insisted that the residents are law-abiding and deserve protection from law enforcement agents.
“We do not know any “unknown gunmen” in Ohafia. The security agencies know the characters and personality profiles of deviant elements in the community.
“They should device means of arresting such personalities rather than stigmatising all youths and residents of Ohafia,” the communique read.
The monarchs disclosed that the council already used various traditional instruments of authority (Imomo, Ogele, Akpan, etc) to counsel the youths to be responsible.
They lamented that the lockdown of commercial and social activities has paralyzed the area.
The communique said the people have become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their land and urged the authorities to ease tension.
Noting that they appreciate the efforts of the Army, Police and others to secure Ohafia, the “continuous intimidation” of residents must stop.
Read full statement below;
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A SECURITY MEETING OF COUNCIL OF OHAFIA MONARCHS AT UDUMEZE PALACE ON MONDAY 14TH JUNE 2021.
INTRODUCTION :
The Council of Ohafia Monarchs, leading members of Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU) and Ohafia leaders of thoughts views with utmost concern the insecurity situation in Ohafia, resulting in series of harassment and intimidation of law abiding residents of Ohafia by Security Agencies in Ohafia.
2. We wish to state unequivocally that Ndi Ohafia and residents of Ohafia are law abiding citizens of Nigeria who deserve protections from Nigerian law enforcement agencies instead of intimidations and harassments.
3. We do not know any “Un-known Gun men” in Ohafia. The security agencies know the characters and personality profiles of deviant elements in the community. They should device means of arresting such personalities rather than stigmatising all youths and residents of Ohafia.
4. The Council of Ohafia Monarchs have used various traditional instruments of authority (Imomo, Ogele, Akpan, etc) to advice and counsel Ohafia Youths and persons to be law-abiding and responsible citizens.
5. The continuous lock-down of commercial and social activities in Ohafia Community has completely paralyzed economic activities and well-being of Ndi Ohafia
6. The Siege at Amangwu Ohafia has turned the people of Amangwu to internally displaced persons (IDPs)in their land. This situation has created fears and trepidation to other neighbouring Ohafia communities.
7. We appreciate the presence, services and comradeship of the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies in Ohafia, and hope it will so remain cordial to all concerned.
8. We however, condemn the continuous harassments and intimidation of well meaning and law abiding sons and daughters / residents of Ohafia. And we hereby request the Brigade Commander to reconsider their strategies and tactics of maintaining peace and harmony in Ohafia Communities without dehumanizing and intimidating of peace loving persons in Ohafia land. We ask for a return of economic and social activities in Ohafia
Signed by:
1. His Royal Paramountcy. Professor. E U L Imaga.
Udumeze Ohafia / (Ezieogo Elu)
2. His Royal Majesty.
Ezieogo Emmanuel Kalu Kalu Onugu ( Ezieogo Asaga)
3. His Royal Majesty . Ezieogo Mba Odo Okereke (Ezieogo Akanu)
4. His Royal Majesty. Ezieogo AWA Nwankwo (Ezieogo Amaekpu).
5. His Royal Majesty. Ezieogo Mmecha Ugbu Mmecha (Ezieogo Amangwu)
Signed on behalf of Council of Ohafia Monarchs.
14June 2021
