Sit-at-home: CSOs condemn use of force against protesters, demand compensation for victims

The Enugu Network of Civil Society Organisations (ENSNet) has condemned the use of force by the Enugu State Government in the enforcement of a ban on sit-at-home order by the Simon Ekpa led faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

The group’s said the State government’s approach is not the best practice, insisting that it runs counter to democratic norms.

The network also demanded that the Government rescind its order and unseal the shops of victims in the interest of justice, peace, integrity and honour and stop using “force” and “intimidation” to secure compliance to the ban, insisting that the approach constitutes an aberration to democracy.

The ENSNet’s position was made known on Thursday in a statement jointly signed by Comrades Osmond Ugwu and Ugonna Ozor, the Chairman and Secretary of the Network, respectively.

The organisation maintained that the action of sealing off of shops of traders who voluntarily decided not to open shops on Mondays goes contrary to democratic principles.

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Recall that Governor Peter Mbah had ordered the sealing off of shops of traders who continued to observe the sit-at-home order of the IPOB.

Some traders in Enugu on Wednesday protested against the government directive.

Two people were reported dead when the security operatives reportedly opened fire on the unarmed protesters, attracting wide condemnation by many residents of the state.

Meanwhile, ENSNet has called on the Government to locate the families of the casualties of the protest and pay them the necessary compensations arising from the loss of lives.

The network also urged the government to ensure that those who sustained injuries are treated and paid the necessary compensation as damages, occasioned by the action of the State government.

Part of the statement read: “Enugu Network of Civil Society Organisations (ENSNet) has keenly watched and followed events regarding the enforcement of ban on SIT-AT-HOME order by the Governor of Enugu State which culminated in the loss of lives of people on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Ogbete Main Market Enugu and wishes to state as follows:

“In as much as we appreciate the economic implications of the SIT-AT-HOME to residents and people of Southeast nay, Enugu State, the approach of use of force by the Enugu State Government is not the best practice and it runs counter to democratic norms.

“That the Government of Enugu State should locate the families of the casualties of the protest and pay them the necessary compensations arising from the loss of lives while those that sustained injuries are to be treated and paid necessary compensations as damages sustained in the course of the protest occasioned by the action of the State.

“That the Government of Enugu State should rescind its conditions for unsealing of those shops and unseal the shops in the interest of justice, peace, integrity and honour and stop using “force” and “intimidation” to secure compliance to the ban as such approaches constitute aberrations to democracy. Democracy requires persuasion and dialogue and not intimidation.”