Petition To President Yar'Adua On Orie Ohabiam Massacre

November 18, 2008 

His Excellency,

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria,

State House,

Abuja.

Your Excellency,

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF WHITE PAPER ON PRESIDENTIAL JUDICIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE KILLINGS AT ORIE OHABIAM, ABA, ABIA STATE ON AUGUST 5, 2005

We write to request for a release of the White Paper on the Presidential Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Killings at Orie Ohabima, Aba, Abia State on August 5, 2008.

Recall that in October 2005, the Federal Government constituted a panel to investigate the remote or immediate cause or causes of the death of thirty-two, out of thirty-seven innocent people abducted, detained in a dark and unventilated 12/12 dungeon at a Orie Ohabiam Electronic Market, Aba, Abia State and tortured with barb wires/machetes by the Abia State Vigilante Group (also known as the Bakassi boys).

But three years later, we are at a loss as to why the Federal Government has not released the report of the panel. Or could it be that the Federal Government perceived as wild animals the thirty-two innocent people whose blood was callously spilled in a most primitive, brutal and inhuman manner by the Abia State Government-sponsored notorious and blood thirsty terrorist gang?

As the Chief Security Officer of the Federation vested with the sacred task of ensuring the security and welfare of the citizenry, we demand as follows:

1)   Immediate release of the report.

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2)   Arrest and prosecution of the culprits involved in this crime against humanity.

3)   Disband the Abia State Vigilante Group and prosecute its members for illegal possession of firearms and armed robbery.

4)   Constitution of a presidential panel to recover from the Abia State Vigilante Group their firearms.

5)   Compensation of the bereaved families¢ members who have been subjected to untold hardship and emotional trauma, resulting from the untimely deaths of their bread winners.

Take note that if the Federal Government does not meet the above demands, we shall not hesitate to seek redress in a constitutional court.

Thank you for your prompt action.

Yours in the service to humanity,

Comrade Chidi Nwosu [Omeudo],

President

Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation (HRJPF)

93, Market Road, First Floor, Back,

Aba, Abia State.

www.hrjpf.org

E-mail: hrjpfoundation@yahoo.com