Traditional rulers, stakeholders raise alarm over military siege in Ohafia

 

Traditional rulers and town union executives in Ohafia, Abia State, have raised alarm that their communities have been locked down and under military siege.

The stakeholders who said economic activities in the town have been completely paralysed, following last week’s clash between some “unknown gunmen” and soldiers, also said their subjects have been turned to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

They decried dehumanisation of the locals by security operatives and called on the Commander, 14 Brigade Ohafia, to call his men to order.

The Nigerian Army Headquarters had denied media reports that troops were on a revenge mission in Ohafia, following alleged killing of six soldiers by unknown gunmen, a claim the Army also said was false.

Outgoing Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Mohammed Yerima, had in a release said the Army was only on a clearance operation in the area, assuring residents of their security.

Vanguard reports that the Ohafia monarchs and stakeholders in a strongly-worded communique after a security meeting, called on the security agents to stop treating everybody in Ohafia as a suspect. They insisted that their youths are law-abiding and deserve protection and not intimidation by security agents.

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Some of the signatories of the communique include: His Royal Paramountcy, Professor. E U L Imaga (Udumeze Ohafia/Ezieogo Elu); HRM Ezieogo Emmanuel Kalu Kalu Onugu (Ezieogo Asaga); HRM, Ezieogo Mba Odo Okereke (Ezieogo Akanu); HRM Ezieogo Awa Nwankwo (Ezieogo Amaekpu); and HRM Ezieogo Mmecha Ugbu Mmecha (Ezieogo Amangwu).

The communique read in part: “Council of Ohafia Monarchs, leading members of Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU), and Ohafia leaders of thoughts view 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 the area.

“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 intimidation and harassment.

“We do not know any “Un-known Gunmen” in Ohafia. The security agencies know the characters and personality profiles of deviant elements in the community. They should devise means of arresting such personalities rather than stigmatising all youths and residents of Ohafia.

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“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.

“The continuous lock-down of commercial and social activities in Ohafia Community has completely paralyzed economic activities and well-being of Ndi Ohafia.

“The siege at Amangwu Ohafia has turned the people of Amangwu into internally displaced persons (IDPs)in their land. This situation has created fears and trepidation in other neighbouring Ohafia communities.

“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. We however condemn the continuous harassment 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.”