Executive Director of popular online medium Igbere TV, Emeh James Anyalekwa, has condemned Sunday’s killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by security agents in Enugu State.
In a personally signed statement issued to journalists on Monday, in Abuja, Mr. Anyalekwa bemoaned what he described as “unprovoked attack” on Nigerians, while calling for calm.
He berated operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police for opening fire on unarmed innocent citizens going about their lawful gathering.
Anyalekwa said, “I vehemently condemn the callous and unwarranted attack and killings of unarmed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra in Enugu.
“What happened on Sunday in Enugu is barbaric, heartbreaking and an open invitation to avoidable anarchy and must be roundly condemned by all.
“One wonders when the security agencies would show or deploy similar strength to confront the insecurity challenges threatening the very existence of Nigeria, particularly the bandits terrorizing the Northern part of the country.”
The Igbere TV boss expressed “utmost sadness and disappointment” in the security agencies, while calling for an inquiry into the incident with a bid to bringing those responsible to book.
“I call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector-general of police and the Director of DSS to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
Describing the latest killings as “vicious, humiliating, senseless and highly provocative,” Anyalekwa said: “It is disgraceful and a clear manifestation of incompetence and unprofessionalism for security agents to have wasted such promising and innocent lives.”
He stated that there was no reason for security agents to be pulling the trigger without restraint, adding that IPOB members have always engaged in their businesses peacefully.
The Abia-born journalist, however, condoled with the DSS over the reported retaliatory killing of two of its men, “even though there are no evidence to this claim, unlike what we saw (videos, pictures) of fallen IPOB members.”
He said even though Nigerians including IPOB members have rights to freedom of association and lawful gathering, they must however not take law into their hands even in the face of provocation.
The Igbere TV boss, therefore, called on the leadership of IPOB to investigate the reported retaliatory attack and killing of security agents by its members, condemn same and bring those culpable to book.
Anyalekwa, who doubles as National President, Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), used the medium to equally condemn the incessant clampdown on protesters and journalists across the country.
The Igbere TV boss reminded security agents in the country that all Nigerians enjoy full and equal rights to freedom of association including lawful protests and must be respected at all time.
He also said the rate at which security operatives — particularly the police and DSS — clampdown on journalists over “unfavorable reports” was becoming alarming and worrisome.
He said journalists must be allowed to carryout their lawful duties as watchdog of the society, and the security agencies must learn to respect their freedom of access to Information without necessarily harassing them to disclose their source.
