Ekweremadu wants enquiry into IPOB, security agencies clashes

Ekweremadu wants enquiry into IPOB, security agencies clashes

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 9:32 pm


Ekweremadu

Ekweremadu

Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu on Tuesday asked for the setting up of enquiry into Monday’s deadly clashes between members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and security operatives during  rallies organized to mark the 49th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra.

Ekerenmadu who made the call at the Senate on Tuesday while speaking on Monday’s clashes which claimed scores of lives in some states in South-East and Delta said that the country had witnessed a lot of unnecessary killings arising from confrontation between members of the public and security agencies.

“I just wish to bring to the notice of the senate for us to take note and possibly, the states involved to set up enquiry to find out what led to these clashes,” the Deputy Senate President who had earlier advised security agencies to always be cautious when quelling disturbances and protests to avoid unnecessary loss of lives said.

According to Ekweremadu, the protest by IPOB, which led to bloody clashes in Delta and Anambra could have been handled differently.

“I will like to use this opportunity under Order 43 to say that the security agencies must apply caution in trying to quell disturbances.

“We have had so much of blood bath in this country under different circumstances and we cannot continue to lose young men and women because the future of this country belongs to them.

“It is important that this senate rise to condemn any act of killing in any part of this country, especially with the one that concern the major part of our future which remains the youth.

“We are now in a democracy and people should be entitled to speak their minds and to assemble under responsible circumstances.

“Security agencies must also be responsible in dealing with those circumstances to ensure that lives are not lost unnecessarily.

“I just wish to bring to the notice of the senate for us to take note and possibly, the states involved to set up enquiry to find out what led to these clashes,” he said.

The issue was, however, not debated by the Senate.

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that although there could not be any debate on the matter, it was necessary that actions were taken on it.

“I think that the point he has raised must draw attention of all and see what necessary action will be taken in other to address this matter,” he said.


Join The Conversation

What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.