The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State condemned the gruesome extrajudicial murder of over fourteen young men, last Sunday, in Otulu, Oru West LGA of the State.
The party said that the young men were said to be attending a traditional marriage in the Awo-Omamma neighbouring community when they were rounded up and slaughtered in cold blood by a murderous group reported to be Ebubeagu, a militia of the regime of Senator Hope Uzodinma, disguised as local vigilante.
Mazi Emenike Nmeregini, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP said in a statement on Wednesday that the killing was the height of barbarity which stands totally condemned by the party.
The statement read: “The PDP in Imo State regrets that the failure of the regime of Governor Uzodinma to ensure the security of lives and property has made lmo a horrifying space. Residents now live in constant fear of terror. Abductions, assassinations, armed robberies and many other unprintable experiences have become daily facts of life in Imo. The laxity of the incumbent regime over this issue is just deeply suspicious.
“This party demands that the government immediately explains to Imo people the role of Ebubeagu militia in the Otulu massacre. For months now, people in the Orlu, Orsu, Oru East and Oru West, as well as Okigwe Local Government Areas have raised constant alarm over incessant killings and harassment of innocent youths and wanton destruction of property.
“Imolites are also highly suspicious of the rise of kidnappings and adoptions for ransoms today in the state which they also link to the Gov. Uzodinma militia group.
“In all these lamentations, Governor Uzodinma has remained mute, and most often quick to defend the group.
“There are cases where the militia are reported to have mounted checkpoints on roads, collecting tolls and harassing innocent road users for no just cause. Residents also report that many young men have been shot dead at these checkpoints, others killed in their homes and their corpses paraded as “neutralized bandits”.
“Imo PDP, while commiserating with all those who are directly affected by these indefensible killings, joins Amnesty International to call on President Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government to intervene and set up an independent judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the causes and actors in this festering insecurity in Imo, and bring them to justice.
“This must not be swept under the carpet like other numerous killings in the State”
