Group condemns Military invasion of community over Soldier’s rescue
Group condemns Military invasion of community over Soldier’s rescue
The invasion of Aku-Okigwe in Imo State by the Nigerian Army and South-East security outfit, Ebubeagu in their efforts to rescue an abducted female soldier, Lieutenant PP Johnson has been condemned by HURIWA.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Monday, said the method adopted by the military on 31st of December 2022 in which the entire stretch of federal highway from Okigwe in Imo State, up to Lokpanta in Abia State was blocked and travellers left stranded for hours even as neighbouring villages were set ablaze by soldiers totally violated the rules of engagement in internal security operations.
The rights group National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement also condemned the abduction of the female soldier by unknown gunmen while visiting her grandmother on December 26, 2022.
According to reports, Soldiers and Ebubeagu operatives had gone on a rampage in their bid to trace and rescue Lieutenant PP Johnson. Security operatives also set alight, the houses of villagers who were totally unconnected with the crime of the forceful abduction of the young soldier.
The Chief of Army Staff needs to seriously work on the aspect of civil-military relations and work out modalities to win the hearts and minds of the civilian population so as to be in a position to receive actionable intelligence and avoid the use of primitive mass attack and rampage by soldiers who ought to be professionals.
HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The reported invasion of Aku-Okigwe by military and Ebubeagu officers is condemnable just as the abduction and dehumanisation of Lieutenant PP Johnson by unknown gunmen.
“Hoodlums like those seen in a viral video torturing a female soldier do not deserve to be pardoned and security agents must go after them.
“However, in going after the perpetrators, the military must operate by the rules of engagement so as not to attract collateral damage to innocent citizens and residents of Aku-Okigwe.
The Military’s perpetual invasion of South-East communities has not been working. The invasion of Aku-Okigwe is not the first by the military. The military invaded the Obeagu Community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in December 2022. In November, troops from Headquarters 82 Division invaded Amangu community in Abia State, causing havoc in the area.
“In September, troops also invaded the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo and Orsumugho, border communities in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, killing three residents. In 2021, soldiers invaded the Izombe community of Oguta Local Council of Imo, with its attendant escalated crisis.
