Orlu Shooting: Igbo Council Demands Withdrawal Of Soldiers From Imo Community

The Igbo National Council (INC) has called on Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to ask the military to immediately withdraw soldiers deployed to the Orlu area of the state on Monday.

This group’s request followed the shooting incident reported in the community after a fatal clash between Nigerian soldiers and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) – a parallel security outfit said to have been set up by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.

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Several videos posted on social media showed lifeless bodies of residents said to have been hit by bullet during the clash.

THE WHISTLER reported that the incident had prompted Governor Uzodinma to impose a dusk till dawn curfew in Orlu and 7 other local government areas in the state.

Speaking through its president, Chilos Godsent, the group said the presence of military in Orlu amounted to indirect militarization of the Igbo nation under the guise of fighting pro-Biafra agitators.
Godsent said the Federal Government should rather deploy the military to federal highways in the country to contain “the menace perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen”.

He said in a press statement: “The Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide have keenly observed the tempo of the joint military campaign going on in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State which have lasted over four days and have claimed many lives.

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“The military is said to be revenging for the dead of their Comrades who was alleged to have been killed by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) set-up by the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“In view of the above, we call on the Executive Governor of Imo State – Senator Hope Uzodinma to quickly intervene on the ongoing violent conflict between the Nigerian Military and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) so as to halt the wanton destruction of lives and properties of the people of the area.

“It may not be to the best interest of the Imo State and Federal Government of Nigeria to militarize any part of the Igbo Nation in disguise of fighting pro-Biafra agitators.

“We note that the Nigerian Police has the capacity to tackle criminalities in any part of Nigeria well mobilized and given free hand to operate.

“Finally, we urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately redeploy these soldiers ravaging Orlu Communities and send them to the various highways where the Fulani Herdsmen are presently terrorizing, raping and killing Nigerians.

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“We fear that if the ongoing violent conflict is not quickly resolved, it might escalate to other communities in Imo State.”

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