Imo lawyers, others protest at police headquarters, seek end to insecurity

Members of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch yesterday, stormed the headquarters of the State Police Command protesting killings in the state, especially those involving their members.

The association, led by Ugochukwu Alinor, said the motive was to express their displeasure over the security situation in the state. They urged the police and other security agencies to intensify efforts at curbing the menace.

Gunmen last week killed the Magistrate in charge of Ejemekwuru Customary Court situated in the Oguta local council of Imo State, Nnaemeka Ugboma while presiding over a court session.

The recent killing, Alinor said constituted challenge to legal practice and dispensation of justice in the state, while also calling on the state government led by Hope Uzodinma to prioritise security of lives of citizens in the state.

Also, over 300 members of conference of Imo APC Support Group joined the protest.

Prince Darlington Onuegbu who led them insisted that the police must put an end to the incessant killing of the party chieftains and members in the state.

Speaking to newsmen on behalf the group, the women leader and Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Izuchi Duru and Amb. Magnus Okorie described the situation as pathetic, unfortunate and condemnable.

Duru said: “we are here to express our disaffection over the killings, especially of APC members in the state. Our Party members are being slaughtered like goats. We don’t sleep any longer. People cannot play partisan politics. We are intimidated, dehumanised and we are today calling on the police to put an end to it.

“We are no longer comfortable with the level of the killings going on in the state. And when you look at most of these killings they are our party members; our ward leaders, local government Chairmen, Commissioners and other top party chieftains. Look at the list, we have almost a thousand of our party members that have been killed so far,” Okorie added.