PRESS STATEMENT BY NZUKO UMUNNA ON EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS AT EMENE, ENUGU STATE
August 26, 2020
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- Nzuko Umunna views with shock and deep concern the extra-judicial killings that occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Emene, Enugu State involving Igbo youths and operatives of the Nigerian Police, Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Army.
- We commiserate with all the families that lost their loved ones in the latest bloodletting.
- Nzuko Umunna notes that there are widespread reports that these extra-judicial killings took place when security operatives invaded a peaceful meeting of the youths, while the Enugu State Commissioner of Police Ahmed Abdurahman conceded that many of the youths “escaped with bullet wound and police have started tracing them.”
- We note with grave concern the constant killing of unarmed Igbo youths by security operatives. This is unacceptable and must stop. However, we urge Igbo youths to refrain from retaliatory attacks.
- It is noteworthy that extra-judicial killings are a violation of the right to life as enshrined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
- Nzuko Umunna commends Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his prompt visit to the scene of the extra-judicial killings. In particular, we urge the Governor to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of these wanton killings including the exact number of victims, with a view to bring the perpetrators to justice.
- Nzuko Umunna requests the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Honourable Justice Priscilla Emehelu to urgently convene a coroner’s inquest on these extra-judicial killings.
- In finding a sustainable framework towards resolving the longstanding security challenges and extra-judicial killings in the region, we urge the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) and the South East Joint Security Committee to urgently activate the long-awaited regional security network to reassure citizens on the security of lives and property.
SIGNED
Ngozi Odumuko Coordinator
Paschal Mbanefo
Secretary
ABOUT NZUKO UMUNNA
Nzuko Umunna is an Igbo socio-cultural think tank with members both in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Lawyard Staff
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