Imo Church leaders under the auspices of Concern Church Leaders Forum (CCLF) have called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to end the immediate extra-judicial killing which is becoming a norm in the state.
The Church leaders also urged the government to summon a meeting where all the opposing groups will meet to dialogue for a way forward.
Speaking on Monday on behalf of the group, Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu, Co-Convener stated that life in Imo has become precarious.
“As we speak, reports say the Federal Medical Center FMC Owerri mortuary is filled to the brim and dead bodies of young people littered around the premises.
” It is so sad that amidst this return to barbarism in Imo, a leading member of the ruling APC Mr. Ahmed Gulak was killed in Imo.
“We want to seize the opportunity of this address to appeal to all and sundry to stop the killing, we appeal to the unknown gunmen to sheath their guns”,
he said.
Ilechukwu expressed worry that the economy of the state has been badly affected, while the public now lives in fear.
He advised members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to have a rethink as any war in Igbo land would be devastating.
He also condemned the killing of late Oguchi Unachukwu, who was allegedly murdered by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force around Sam Mbakwe airport on May 31.
“There has been an influx of soldiers and policemen from outside the state, people are forced to disembark from their vehicles and walk past the Army checkpoints with their hands raised over their heads.
“We have watched with total dismay some extremely disturbing developments in the country in general with specific reference to the brewing state of belligerence in the southeast and Imo in Particular”,
he said.
Imo State has come under heavy attacks since April by gunmen, leading to the death of both unarmed people and security operatives in the state.
Also, the Brigade Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Brig. Gen. Reymond Osage revealed on Saturday at the Police Officers Mess during a media parley that 100 unarmed civilians have so far been killed as a result of the recent attacks in the state.
He further disclosed that 38 of the army personnel and 78 police officers have also lost their lives in the war against insecurity in Imo.
