CITIZENS COMPASS –Women in the South-East under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), have cried out over the killings and attacks in Igbo communities by murderous Fulani herdsmen and other criminal elements, saying many women have been rendered windows by these attacks.
The women said it beats their imagination that with the numerous check points across the South-East region manned by various security agencies, insecurity and killings persist, saying if they are not ready to protect the people, they should leave and allow the people to protect themselves.
The President of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, who spoke to journalists, yesterday in Enugu, said the women were worried at the rate at which Igbo youths are killed, tagging them IPoB members.
She said a situation where security operatives invade and attack Igbo communities for little or no provocation should be stopped, wondering why they don’t invade communities in Boko Haram-infested areas where security agencies are attacked regularly.
She 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 South-East.
“We want the world to hear our voice over the killings in Igbo land. We are pained over 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, 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, security agencies drafted to protect the people would turn their guns against the people they are asked to protect. We ask if they come 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 in any insurgency that lasts more than a day, the government is involved?
“From Orlu to Ihiala, the once bubbling communities, the people have deserted many of these 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, the security agencies will not go after them. They are not hiding, why are they not being arrested? Soldiers or police don’t invade the forest and arrest them.
“We are no longer comfortable with the killings of Igbo youths. Ohanaeze and other Igbo leaders should rise to defend Igbo land. The killings should stop immediately, if not, we will be wiped out. Igbo are diminishing every day.”
–Vanguard
