CLO demands foreign assistance to tackle insecurity in Nigeria
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), a foremost human rights organisation, has demanded the setting up of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the security challenges currently confronting Nigeria.
Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike,
Executive Director of CLO said this in a statement made available to Journalists in Enugu on Monday.
According to him, the demand has become necessary in view of the serious security crisis rocking the Nigerian society.
“Which threatens both human lives and property of the citizens especially as accusing fingers continued to point at the military, police and certain lawless natives in the crime.
“Confessions made by some victims of the terrorism has indicated that security agents and some natives allegedly collaborate with the terrorists to commit these dastardly human rights infraction, ” he said.
He noted that Nigerians have experienced heinous human rights violation by Fulani herdsmen hugely aided by security agents and the rural communities.
“Incidentally, no efforts have been made by the Federal Government to interrogate this wickedness.
“We make haste to say that government’s failure to check the evil activities of these evildoers leads to its Commission in large propensity, ” he said.
The CLO recalled the incident that happened in Enugu State where bandits turned the Nike — Ekwegbe — Opi road, the only access road connecting the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states into a war theatre.
“Where numerous unsuspecting passengers were abducted in the glare of policemen and soldiers at the many extortion checkpoints on the road.
“Of these victims were students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) who were returning to school after the ASUU strike, officials of Enugu State Government and the former Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, Dr. Daniel Shere.
“A week before that raid, three kidnapping incidents occurred at the Four- Corner/Nvene area of Ozalla Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, ” he said.
Ezike also cited an incident that took place at Agbogugu, a neighbouring Community to Ozalla, where the former PDP Youth Leader, Okoye, was kidnapped for ransom.
The rights leader lamented that even the men of God were not left out of the ordeal.
“The terrorists have brutally attacked the Church of God during which some worshippers were murdered and others abducted.
“The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Archbishop Kanu, was kidnapped some years back. His revelations after he was freed were threatening.
“Just last Monday Rev. Fr. Malachy Asadu of St. Theresa’s Catholic Diocese, Nsukka, was kidnapped on his way to his Parish after a Diocesan ecclesiastian meeting.
“Also few months ago, at a Mass in a Catholic Parish in Owo, Ondo state, the Fulani terrorists invaded the Mass and murdered several worshippers, ” he said
He said the CLO was seriously disturbed by those gross human rights issues with an APC Government in power which has done nothing to halt the manace and bring the perpetrators to book.
The CLO, in the light of the prevailing situation, made a six point demand including the Inauguration of high level Judicial Commission of Enquiry and urgent intervention of International Community and diplomatic institutions in Nigeria to intervene.
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