Uzodinma absolves Ebubeagu of Imo murders
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State absolved Ebubeagu of killings in the state.
Ebubeagu was established in 2021 by the governors of the five southeastern states to help tackle insecurity in the region, which has witnessed deadly attacks linked to the Biafra unrest by indigenous peoples outlaw of Biafra.< /p>
But the security team has been accused of extrajudicial executions, such as in the tragic incident in July where young Imo returning from a wedding ceremony were shot at close range.
Ebubeagu agents are believed to be responsible for the murder.
Amnesty International Nigeria, in its response to the July murder, said it documented Ebubeagu's involvement in extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion and other crimes, in response to violence in the southeast.
“It is horrifying that unarmed young men who clearly posed no threat to anyone have been shot, in complete disregard of the right to life,” said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, in a press release.
“Such killings cannot be justified under any circumstances,” he added.
No, not EbubeaguGovernor Uzodinma, while defending Ebubeagu, said members of the security team did not carry weapons, let alone carry out sophisticated attacks.
“Ebubeagu has no sophistication, like the kind of guns the bandits have been carrying all along. Ebubeagu are unarmed,” Mr Uzodinma said on Tuesday evening, as he appeared as a guest on a Channels TV show, Politics Today.
"Some of these bandits are now operating under the name of Ebubeagu. Lately we found out that bandits would attack a particular place, and the next thing because they have their unions, they would come up with propaganda that Ebubeagu has attacked.
“But between me and those in charge of Ebubeagu, and the security agencies, they know that Ebubeagu does not have the capacity to attack with sophisticated weapons,” he said.
The Governor said crime in Imo State has a “political undertone” and those who criticize Ebubeagu are not interested in the “peaceful atmosphere” in the state.
He said what Ebubeagu officers do is gather information about unusual movements in communities and report them to security agencies. "It is not a security force that goes to war," he added.
In response to a question, Governor Uzodinma said the state government would prefer Ebubeagu to work with the security agencies, rather than the armed security team.
"You know, security services such as police, army, navy, and air force are on the exclusive list. So as a backbone unit, I don't know where I will get the mandate that will allow me to procure sophisticated weapons to give to the local people like the members of Ebubeagu who have not been trained,” the governor said.
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State absolved Ebubeagu of killings in the state.
Ebubeagu was established in 2021 by the governors of the five southeastern states to help tackle insecurity in the region, which has witnessed deadly attacks linked to the Biafra unrest by indigenous peoples outlaw of Biafra.< /p>
But the security team has been accused of extrajudicial executions, such as in the tragic incident in July where young Imo returning from a wedding ceremony were shot at close range.
Ebubeagu agents are believed to be responsible for the murder.
Amnesty International Nigeria, in its response to the July murder, said it documented Ebubeagu's involvement in extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion and other crimes, in response to violence in the southeast.
“It is horrifying that unarmed young men who clearly posed no threat to anyone have been shot, in complete disregard of the right to life,” said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, in a press release.
“Such killings cannot be justified under any circumstances,” he added.
No, not EbubeaguGovernor Uzodinma, while defending Ebubeagu, said members of the security team did not carry weapons, let alone carry out sophisticated attacks.
“Ebubeagu has no sophistication, like the kind of guns the bandits have been carrying all along. Ebubeagu are unarmed,” Mr Uzodinma said on Tuesday evening, as he appeared as a guest on a Channels TV show, Politics Today.
"Some of these bandits are now operating under the name of Ebubeagu. Lately we found out that bandits would attack a particular place, and the next thing because they have their unions, they would come up with propaganda that Ebubeagu has attacked.
“But between me and those in charge of Ebubeagu, and the security agencies, they know that Ebubeagu does not have the capacity to attack with sophisticated weapons,” he said.
The Governor said crime in Imo State has a “political undertone” and those who criticize Ebubeagu are not interested in the “peaceful atmosphere” in the state.
He said what Ebubeagu officers do is gather information about unusual movements in communities and report them to security agencies. "It is not a security force that goes to war," he added.
In response to a question, Governor Uzodinma said the state government would prefer Ebubeagu to work with the security agencies, rather than the armed security team.
"You know, security services such as police, army, navy, and air force are on the exclusive list. So as a backbone unit, I don't know where I will get the mandate that will allow me to procure sophisticated weapons to give to the local people like the members of Ebubeagu who have not been trained,” the governor said.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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