Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has reacted to the fracas between the Nigerian Army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The clash occurred at the vicinity of the family home of leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu in Umuahia on Sunday, with five people feared killed and several others injured.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the former party spokesman, said the clash was “indeed traumatic and completely unacceptable.”
He said even if the various accounts of the events given by both sides were true, a wrong had still been committed against the people as he observed that there was no such thing as “show of force” as claimed by the military in a peaceful environment.
He said: “I have read, severally, the press statement from the Nigeria Army and that of the Nigeria police in their attempts to rationalize the violence.
“Assuming, but not conceding that all they have said is true, there are still evidential wrongs against the people by the security team.
“First, there is no such thing as ‘show of force’ in a peaceful part of our country. It is a provocative taunt and insult thrown at the face of the elected, appointed and anointed leaders as well as the people themselves.
“When you taunt and mock a people because you control instruments of brute force, yes, you can arrest, humiliate, handcuff, maim, imprison or even shoot and kill them at will, but then, you cannot kill the spirit of their struggle and resistance. Provocative and brute show of force does not hold the answers.”
He further stated: “Moreover, we are in a democracy and actions as these are at complete variance with the tenets and credentials of a democratic state.
“The security forces should not under any guise whatsoever be used or allow themselves to be seen as being used as political weapon on a people.
“The military high command should therefore not stretch the nation to the limits. It should forthwith withdraw soldiers from the streets, except if truly the intention is to intimidate the people.
“On our own part, we will continue to advice our people to remain peaceful and continue to be law-abiding at all times.”
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