An Igbo socio-political organization, Igbo National Council(INC), has called on the Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International (AI) and the international communities to pressure President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to order the immediate withdrawal of soldiers in Orlu local Government Area of Imo state.
The group posited that the soldiers have violated every known national and international standards and conventions in dealing with situations in Orlu because of ethnic and tribal bias.
INC, in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Thursday, called on the Nigerian military to stop the alleged massacre of armless civilians in Orlu district or face the wrath of the Igbo nation.
DAILY POST reports that the Nigerian soldiers and the Eastern Security Network, (ESN), had clashed, allegedly leading to the death of one person, while scores were wounded in Okporo, Orlu area of Imo State.
The clash was said to have occurred during a military operation in the community suspected to be the operational base of ESN, set up by the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB).
The Igbo organization also condemned what it calls the barbaric conduct of operatives of the Nigerian Military and the Nigeria Police, who it claims have turned themselves into soldiers of occupation, violating the Human Rights of civilians in Orlu district through senseless torture, whipping and other inhumane punishments.
INC asked Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to wade into the matter before the Oyigbo saga repeats itself in Orlu where military operatives invade homes of civilians, bring them out, take them to unknown destinations and massacre them with impunity.
Parts of INC statement read, “We note with grief in our heart the mindless violent, torture, wanton destruction of properties and killings of armless civilians in Orlu district of Imo State by the Nigerian Military that has recklessly invaded and barricaded all major entry and exit points to Orlu district in pretense of searching for members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“We, therefore, state unequivocally, that if this madness is not stopped forthwith within the next forty-eight (48) hours, we will commence the prosecution of the heads of the various security agencies involved in this crime against humanity inclusive all individual security operatives whose faces and evil action were captured in many of the video clips circulating on social media”.
