Reps ask Chief of Army Staff, IGP to probe alleged invasion of five communities in Imo State

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, tasked the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the invasion of five communities in Ahiazu Local Government Ares of Imo State, by yet to be identified law enforcement officers.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Chinedu Emeka, who observed that the invasion of the communities commenced in the early hours of Saturday, February 12, 2022.

While soliciting for the House intervention with a view to stop the invasion, siege, unlawful arrest and wanton destruction of lives and properties in the affected communities, namely: Ihitteafoukwu, Umu Okirika, Oparanadim, Mpam, and Ogbor Umeze.

He observed that the affected communities have been peaceful and quiet in Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, whose citizens are known for agrarian values and industriousness.

“The House also notes with serious concern, the alleged invasion, siege, unlawful arrest and wanton destruction of lives and properties belonging to indigenes of the five Communities, which commenced in the early hours of Saturday, February 12, 2022, by armed men suspected to be law enforcement agents.

“The House is aware that the primary responsibility of law enforcement agencies is to maintain law and order and not to wantonly destroy lives and properties or other actions that are inimical to fundamental human rights.

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“The House is also aware that such gestapo invasion, siege and wanton destruction of lives and properties after sporadic shootings is expanding in scope and frequency in the Country especially in Imo State, South East of Nigeria.

“The House is concerned that Nigerians are increasingly losing hope and confidence in the Nation’s law enforcers due to high-handedness, unethical conducts and total disregard for rule of law and engagements.

“The House is also concerned about the news of averted bloodshed across the Communities due to timeous intervention of some community leaders who persuaded youths against coming to the defense of their lives and properties.

“The House believes in the fight against unlawful activities or any form of criminality, but must be anchored on rule of law as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended, especially when human lives and properties are involved.

“The House is worried that the danger inherent in the one-sided narrative as often packaged by law enforcement agents in such circumstances without thorough investigation is not only unhealthy for democracy but also an intolerable affront to fundamental human rights, especially where law enforcement agents can recklessly invade, attack, destroy and maim before coming up with some frame-up to rationalize extra-judicial activities.

“The House is also worried that further delay in investigating matters of this nature may not only send complicating signals, but also be counterproductive at the long run, especially as law enforcement agents, just like their counterparts around the world, do not have the inalienable right to act lawlessly, waste lives or plunder properties of the people they are paid to protect.”

To this end, the House mandated its joint committees on Police Affairs and Army to ensure compliance.