By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday, expressed anger over an alleged invasion of five Imo State communities,  last Saturday by armed men, suspected to be security forces and demanded explanations from the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt-Gen Farouk Yahaya, and the Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Usman Alkali, for the alleged siege.

The anger and resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance brought before it by Honourable  Emeka Chinedu (PDP Imo).
Hon Chinedu told the House that Ihitteafoukwu, Umu Okirika, Oparanadim, Mpam, and Ogbor Umeze in Ahiazu LGA, have been peaceful and quiet communities in Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, whose citizens are known for  agrarian life and industriousness.
He also noted with serious concern, the alleged “invasion, siege, unlawful arrest and wanton destruction of lives and property” belonging to indigenes of the five communities.

The representative said that the invassion commenced in the early hours of Saturday, February 12, 2022, by armed men suspected to be law enforcement agents.
He reminded the House that the primary responsibility of law enforcement agencies was to maintain law and order and not to wantonly destroy lives and property, or execute other actions that were inimical to fundamental human rights.
Hon Chinedu also said that “such gestapo invasion, siege and wanton destruction of lives and properties after sporadic shootings is expanding in scope and frequency in the Country especially in Imo State, South East of Nigeria.”
He was quite concerned that Nigerians were increasingly losing hope and confidence in the nation’s law enforcers, “due to high-handedness, unethical conducts and total disregard for rule of law and engagements.”

He was also concerned about the news of averted bloodshed across the Communities due to timeous  intervention of some community leaders who persuaded youths against coming to the defense of their lives and property.
“The lawmaker said that he believed in the fight against unlawful activities or any form of criminality, but must be anchored on rule of law as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended, especially when human lives and properties are involved”, he warned.
He was worried that the danger inherent in one-sided narrative as often packaged by law enforcement agents in such circumstances without thorough investigation, was not only unhealthy for democracy, “but also an intolerable affront to fundamental human rights, especially where law enforcement agents can recklessly invade, attack, destroy and maim before coming up with some frame-up to rationalize extra judicial activities.”

He also worried that, “further delay in investigating matters of this nature may not only send complicating signals, but also be counterproductive at the long run, especially as law enforcement agents, just like their counterparts around the world, do not have the inalienable right to act lawlessly, waste lives or plunder properties of the people they are paid to protect.”

The motion was overwhelmingly supported by the House presided by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, which also mandated its committee on Police Affairs and the committee on Army to ensure compliance with the resolution.