The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has accused Southeast governors and elected members of the State and National Assemblies from the region of what it termed the “clear lack of good governance and political leadership.”
HURIWA claimed that governors and lawmakers from the region were responsible for the alleged “bloody encounter” between the Eastern Security Network, ESN, and military operatives in Orlu, Imo State.
Recall there was a clash between ESN recently launched by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and military men in Orlu which allegedly resulted in the death of one person while several others were wounded in Okporo, Orlu area of Imo State.
The incident was reported to have occurred during a military operation in the community suspected to be the operational base of ESN.
Reacting to the development, HURIWA called for caution by all parties involved in ensuring the security of the Southeast.
The rights group vowed to write the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on ensuring military operatives carrying out internal military operations lawfully.
A statement by HURIWA’s spokesman, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the incident according to a source happened around 6am on Friday.
According to HURIWA: “The burning of the church was carried out by those masked security agents and the church that was burnt was the Holy Trinity Sabbath Mission in Orlu Local Government Area.
“About five buildings were burnt and only one person was killed and the person was killed at the market square. I want to tell you that the incident happened on Friday early morning.
“The lack of good leadership by the governors of the South East of Nigeria and their apparent lethargy in finding a home grown security mechanisms in partnership with the statutory security institutions recognised by the Nigerian Constitution to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians resident in the South East of Nigeria made it possible for some youths under the aegis of the proscribed Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to try to put measures on ground for protection of the assets and lives of the people of South East of Nigeria that have come under intense attacks and invasions by armed Fulani herdsmen and other armed non state actors.”
