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From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) is disturbed over the spate of killings and incessant attacks in Igbo communities by armed hoodlums under the cover of Fulani herdsmen and other criminal elements.
They also complained about the operational style of the military troops in the region, whom they alleged had a penchant for arresting any young man, and branding the person an Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) member.
The women lamented that many women have been rendered widows by these attacks and military operations in the region. They appealed to the Federal Government to take another look at the killings and insecurity in the zone.
President of IWA, Nneka Chimezie, who spoke to newsmen in Enugu, wondered why insecurity and killings had persisted in the area, despite the numerous checkpoints across the region manned by various security agencies.
She urged the security operatives to step up their game, or allow the people to protect themselves.
Chimezie said a situation where security operatives invade and attack innocent Igbo communities over attacks on them by hoodlums should be stopped.
“The same way you don’t invade communities in the north when Boko Haram terrorists strike should be the ideal thing because these villagers are equally victims of the hoodlums,” she said.
Chimezie also frowned at tagging all Igbo youths IPOB members just to arrest or kill them, alleging that such action seems like a plot to wipe out the youths and destroy the region.
“We want the world to hear our voice about the killings in Igbo land. We are pained by the rate at which our children are being killed. The rate at which our youths are being killed is alarming, tagging them IPOB members. Youths have deserted many Igbo communities.
“I am from Orlu in Imo State. More than 500 youths have been killed there. Many communities in Orlu have been deserted, you cannot see youths in some communities.
“Any little thing, the security agents drafted to protect the people would turn their guns against the people they are asked to protect. We want to know if they came to protect us or to kill us. Are we under siege? There are so many check points, yet insecurity persists. How do we explain it?
“Do we take late General Sani Abacha’s theory that if any insurgency lasts more than a day, that the government is involved?
“From Orlu to Ihiala, the once bubbling communities, the people have deserted many of the communities. The Federal Government should genuinely look into the insecurity in the region and check the security operatives posted to the South East.
“Herdsmen will attack people or community and the security agents will not go after them. They are not hiding, why are they not being arrested? Soldiers or police don’t invade the forest to arrest them.
“We are no longer comfortable with the killings of Igbo youths. Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders should rise to defend Igbo land. The killings should stop immediately, if not, we will be wiped out. The Igbo are diminishing every day,” the IWA President lamented.
