…seeks government intervention to maintain peace, order
The people of Udo Autonomous Community in Ezinihitte-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State have raised the alarm over what they described as incessant disruption of legitimate community activities and alleged harassment and brutalisation of law-abiding residents by security agencies.
President-General of the Udo Peoples Assembly (UPA), Sir Collins Onyewuchi, who raised the concerns while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, appealed to the Imo State Government, police authorities and other security agencies to investigate the alleged abuse of residents and exercise restraint in handling disputes in the community.
Onyewuchi said the situation had heightened tension and fear among residents, particularly against the backdrop of a lingering dispute over the selection and recognition of a traditional ruler for the community following the death and burial of the former traditional ruler in 2020.
He stressed that the matter was still before the court, with relevant government parties represented, and urged all sides to allow the judicial process to run its course.
He said it was therefore unacceptable for members of the community to be subjected to intimidation or excessive force over an issue already before a competent court.
The UPA leader alleged that the latest major incident occurred on August 10, during preparations by women of the community for their annual August meeting.
He claimed that a group of persons arrived at Umunnore village during a prayer gathering and allegedly attempted to disrupt the activity.
According to him, an altercation subsequently occurred, during which a firearm was allegedly discharged, prompting security personnel to enter parts of the community.
He alleged that about eight youths were arrested in the ensuing operation and that some residents were assaulted, with some requiring medical attention.
The detained youths, he said, were eventually released on August 13.
Onyewuchi said the incident disrupted the women’s planned three-day August programme and further heightened tension in the community.
He also alleged that security personnel took away some property during the operation.
Although some of the items had reportedly been returned, he said a laptop belonging to a DJ engaged for the women’s programme and some mobile phones taken from a phone-charging centre operated by a woman in the community were yet to be recovered.
He called on the security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged seizure and return the affected items.
Onyewuchi particularly condemned what he described as the use of alleged false information to mobilise security agencies against residents.
“The idea of feeding security agencies with lies against law-abiding citizens to disrupt the governance of my community should stop,” he said.
He alleged that innocent residents were sometimes labelled as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), activists or persons planning disturbances in order to attract the attention of security agencies.
According to him, such allegations could trigger an immediate security response because of the sensitivity surrounding IPOB and insecurity in the South-East.
“What they do is formulate stories that every security agency would be alarmed about,” he alleged.
He urged security agencies to desist from what he described as brutality and interference in the affairs of the community based on unverified allegations.
“Even when there are issues, there should be rules of engagement that should be applied. The idea of using excessive force on defenceless civilians is not allowed in any way,” he said.
Onyewuchi also referred to earlier incidents in which, according to him, community members were reported to security agencies over alleged plans to cause disturbances.
He said some of the concerns were later resolved without violence, arguing that dialogue and lawful procedures should take precedence over the use of force in resolving community disputes.
The UPA president-general appealed to the Imo State Government, police and other security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the alleged incidents and address any infringement of the fundamental rights of residents.
He maintained that Udo residents were willing to cooperate with lawful authorities but urged security agencies to distinguish between genuine security threats and internal community disputes.
He also appealed to residents and all parties involved in the traditional leadership dispute to remain peaceful while awaiting the determination of the court.
Onyewuchi said the immediate priority of the community was to restore calm and enable residents to conduct legitimate community activities without fear or intimidation.
