•Wants indigenous commanders deployed in Igbo communities
Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, said the invasion by the military of South-east communities with its many casualties is not working, while urging the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, to adopt fresh strategies to combat crimes in the South-east and other geopolitical zones of the country.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said the change of strategy by the military is important as non-indigenous commanders deployed to the South-east is totally strange and such commanders have been described as high handed in their approach.
The group demanded at least 75 per cent of those who hold command positions in the South-East should be indigenous Igbos to manage the situation properly.
The group also condemned the fresh invasion by the military of the Obeagu Community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Monday. According to reports, the troops shot sporadically and allegedly burnt some houses.
“This is not the first of such invasions of local South-East communities by troops. In November, troops from Headquarters 82 Division invaded Amangu community in Abia State, causing havoc in the area. In September, troops also invaded the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo and Orsumugho, border communities in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, killing three residents. In 2021, soldiers invaded the Izombe community of Oguta Local Council of Imo, with its attendant escalated crisis.
