Ndi-Igbo Germany urges FG to check recklessness of security forces

…condemns killing of unarmed civilians in Enugu

The apex body of all Igbo unions in Germany, Ndi-Igbo Germany, has condemned “in the strongest terms” what it tagged “the barbaric shootings and killings of unarmed civilians by the security forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” on August 23, 2020, in Emene, Enugu State.

Ndi-Igbo Germany, in a statement signed by Oge Ozofor, its coordinator, and Anthony Domnic, general secretary, said the killing at Emene is one too many and called on the Federal Government to immediately put an end to the growing lawlessness of the security forces.

“Indeed, it is heartbreaking that the security forces, who are trained, equipped and paid to protect the citizens, are the same forces that maul, kill and brutalize defenceless civilians for fun,” Ndi-Igbo Germany said.

Recall that on Sunday, August 23, security agents comprising soldiers, air force personnel, the police, and operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly shot at and killed some youths in Emene community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. The security forces were said to be on the hunt for members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ndi-Igbo Germany said it was saddened by the grave fatalities.

“We mourn the sad loss of those killed at Emene and other Nigerians whose lives were wasted by the sadistic, barbaric and callous Nigerian security forces,” the group said, lamenting a situation where no one seems safe in the hands of the security forces.

“We see them brutalize and kill innocent journalists. They beat up and shoot medical doctors on emergency calls. Every day, poor motorists and commercial cyclists are molested, bastardized, and killed with the guns bought by the Federal Government of Nigeria. And no one is ever prosecuted, jailed and dismissed from the services,” Ndi-Igbo Germany said.

The group said professional security forces must do better in handling issues related to unarmed civilians and that killing, brutalizing, and harassing unarmed civilians for fun must end.

“We call on the responsible Federal Government to stop immediately the fast-increasing lawlessness of the Nigerian security forces. Ndi-Igbo Germany calls for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for killing unarmed civilians at Emene, Enugu State, on 23rd August 2020. Failure to do so quickly and transparently will further cast doubt on the commitment of Nigeria leadership that truly ‘Black (All) Lives Matter’,” it said.