IPOB protests: Reps caution military, police

By Joshua Egbodo Abuja

Th e House of Representatives has cautioned the military, police and other security agencies against the use of force in managing the sit-athome directive to people of the Southeast, by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were said to have directed their members and all ‘Biafrans’ everywhere in the world to stay indoors in honour of their heroes. But, in a resolution on a motion by the House chairman on Environment and Habitat, Hon. Obinna Chidoka, the lawmakers urged the security agencies to exercise restraint in the circumstance, despite the rate of provocation to avoid a repeat of bloodshed that followed the observation of Biafra Day by the people last year. In a similar commemoration of the day in May last year, IPOB members and security operatives clashed led to reported death of three policemen and 52 members of the group. According to Chidoka, “such wanton loss of lives was not necessary, in view of the government’s resolve to protect all citizens, irrespective of beliefs, language and cultures”. He argued that the people of the south east were law-abiding citizens, who have rights like other citizens of the country, and should be heard, urging the government to explore dialogue in resolving the tensions among ethnic groups.

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