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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, the apex Socio-cultural youth organization of Ndigbo has condemned vehemently the horrifying activities of the Imo State chapter of the Ebube-Agu security network, which is characterised by the 'taste of the blood of the innocent in the land.
Speaking amidst bitterness, on behalf of the Council, the National President of Card. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, who spoke to newsmen on Tuesday, July 19, at Abuja expressed utter disappointment and dissatisfaction over the nefarious activities of Ebube Agu in the State, wailing that the people now live in misery.
Igboayaka decried the current spate of massacring of innocent citizens who are wrongfully indicted by the team, insisting on the conduct of thorough investigations before swinging into unlawful actions, whatsoever.
This is following the recent bloodbath at Awo Omemma, on the evening of Sunday, July 17, 2022, during which many innocent youths of Otulu and Awo Omemma indigene were gruesomely murdered by the security operatives.
Reacting to the gory incident, Igboayaka expressed shock, lamenting that the Ebube Agu security network which originally was set up to protect the people from the horrible activities of dreaded Fulani herdsmen, has, in a twist of events, turned the lives of inhabitants of the state into a mere nightmare.
X-raying further the illicit activities of Ebub Agu, embittered Igboayaka said:
"Instead of being a sort of security relief to people, Ebube Agu Security Network has rather made life miserable for the people of Imo State. Imo people are being harassed, intimidated and carelessly killed by these unprofessional, poorly recruited criminal elements masquerading as Security Watch.
"Unfortunately, last month, a report came to Ohanaeze Youth Council that Ebube Agu harassed one respected Pastor of RCM, Owerri at Mbaise, ducked him into their vehicle later and release him. At the spot, they picked a family man with kids inside his private car, forced him into their Hilux and left.
"It was narrated that the same Ebube Agu at Ahiazu Mbaise towards Ukwu Ube Mgba took gallons fuel belonging to a woman, selling at the roadside, force a girl doing POS business to transfer money to them and they drove off.
Also, the Council accused Ebube Agu of invading a certain family in
Okporo Orlu on the 16th Of June, 2022,
in search of some youths whom they alleged were criminals, during which the team, reportedly, shot everyone present in the Compound including elderly men.
Adding, he said: "The same Ebube Agu are extorting motorist like police in local roads in Imo State.
"We're, therefore, calling for adequate profiling of criminals before launching any attack. The innocent people must be separated from criminals, it's therefore unacceptable to Ndigbo that innocent youths fall victim to deaths on daily bases in Imo state.
"It's an act of unprofessionalism and wickedness that while hunting for criminals in the bush farmers in the bush are also killed. This is the replica of Ebube Agu's activities in Imo.
The youth leader, therefore, advised Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Governor to scrutinize the security network to avert impending revolt from the injured masses and Ndigbo in general.
Moreso, the Council mandated the state to set up an Independent Panel of Inquiry within a sketch of 21days, that would look into the killing and bring anyone guilty before the law, stressing that nothing could be proportionate to the worth of life.
"We are using this opportunity to advise the Governor of Imo State His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma to look deeply into the messy activities of Ebube Agu before it will lead to massive resistance of Ndi-Imo and Ndi-Igbo at large.
"Also, with the painful massacre that took place at Awo Omemma, the States should immediately set an independent commission of Inquiry within 21days to look into the killing and bring anyone guilty before the law.
"We are aware that nothing can be equated to or measures up with human life, but Sen. Hope Uzodinma led State Government must ensure adequate compensation of innocent victims of Awo Omemma/Otulu killing, to appease the mind of aggrieved Imolites over the misrule of activities by Ebube Agu.
"If nothing is done within one month, we may have no other choice than to believe that the allegations against Hope Uzodinma on the mission of killing innocent Imo youths are true. Therefore, Governor Hope Uzodinma should act to clear every doubt and prove himself by empirical evidence that he meant well for Ndi-Imo.
"We, therefore, call on Awo Omemma/Otulu and Imo youth at large to calm down; that every investigation is independently going by Ohanaeze Youth Council to unfold the root cause of the awful incident, and we will ensure that justice is to be done and put every mechanism on the ground that wouldn't allow such ugly incident to repeat", he pleaded.
