HURIWA tells Uzodimma to quit gov race over Imo killings

The Human Rights Writers Association has asked the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to step down from the state’s governorship race, over the killing of five policemen and a couple by unknown gunmen on Friday.

The PUNCH reported that some unidentified gunmen had, on Friday morning, opened fire on five policemen, who were eating at a local restaurant, at the Okpala Junction, in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of the state.

The gunmen also killed a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu, who owned a shop beside the scene of the crime.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Saturday, while condemning the killings of the policemen, asked the Imo State governor to announce his withdrawal from the governorship race and a second term in office

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Onwubiko also noted the governor’s failure to engage in constructive dialogue with restive youths in the state, while urging the governor to set up a reconciliation commission and pay compensations to the families of the affected victims.

“HURIWA condemns in strong terms the killings of the five policemen on Friday in Imo states and the serial murders of Imo youths.

“We condemn the intransigence of Gov Hope Uzodimma to opt for constructive dialogues with all the restive youths of Imo State. We call on the governor to step down from being on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress for a second term in order to save Imo from continuous killings.

“Gov Uzodimma, if he means well for the state, should announce that he won’t be running in the November governorship poll, then set up a reconciliation commission by offering apologies to families of all those killed including security operatives and civilians.

“He should also pay compensations where possible, offer amnesty and open avenues for peacebuilding through withdrawal and submission of arms by sundry armed groups. But the reconciliation must be sincere and pragmatic.”

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command said they have launched a manhunt for the unidentified gunmen.

Police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, said the Command had deployed Operational and Tactical teams to the area, to provide security, and apprehend the gunmen.