Ikegulu stated that the IGP took everybody by surprise, when he soon after announced the perpetrators of the act, naming IPOB/ESN.
The forum boss said that IGP preliminary investigations revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with weapons were members of the IPOB/ESN.
“For such a hugely sensitive matter, when everyone was tensed up, the rush to judgement was unfortunate.”
Chief Ikegulu stressed the need for thorough investigation before conclusions to be reached as to the culprits.
“Considering that investigation is still ongoing in the murder of scores of villagers at Egedegede in Ebonyi and Adani in Enugu States barely a week previously and the former IGP was still investigating. And even the attack on Governor Ortom is still under investigation.
In all these, the herdsmen were seen in action and have continued to threaten. Yet investigations are ongoing.”
He said that the former IGP gave the order on 5th April, that the police operatives be ruthless against members of the proscribed IPOB and EESN stating that there was ‘no hiding place’ for them.’
According to him, “To target an amorphous group like the IPOB, that is neither uniformed nor
has designated barracks is bound to jeopadize the lives of youths who are not members of the group as collateral damages. They could be fell down, considering the open ended nature of the order and the tone with which it was given.”
“If the Acting IGP Baba swings into action maintaining the order, it will amount to stimatizing Imo youths for annihilation by giving the dog a bad name to hang it. The questions of who and why have not been answered when the former IGP Adamu gave the order to crush IPOB and ESN. It can be likened to Danladi Umah’s ‘Biafra boys’ categorization when the man he assaulted was from the Plateau.
He said that the IPOB has denied the attack adding that no less a person than Governor Hope Uzodinma has come out forcefully, calling out his political opponents as the masterminds.
“It may sound outlandish, but what if the Unknown Gunmen are a group of Igbo haters who want to stigmatize and position Ndigbo for more onslaught by the government or even attract a state of emergency.”
“Uncertainty is a very good thing: it’s the begining of an investigation and should never end.” Former IGP Adamu’s premature conclusions are unacceptable. Rather than unleashing the onslaught, government should engage in dialogue and negotiation with the IPOB.
The federal government has innitiated dialogue with world acclaimed terrorist group, the Boko Haram, handing them juicy cash, amnesty and prisoners exchange concessions. Sheik Gumi is working hard tirelessly with the bandits, even suggesting that we drop the title and resettle them.
“The bandits are met in conference with government officials in full millitary gears, brandishing their weapons. Even the herdsmen who have owned up to a lot of atrocities were described as legitimate stakeholders in the government.”
The Forum boss stated that, “It will be wise to deproscribe IPOB, and bring them to the negotiation table.
“Everything is negotiable. Whether or not the negotiation is easy is another thing.
“We demand that Ag IGP Baba discountenance in its totality that order of his predesessor. The change in guard even whilst on tour was like
God’s intervention to save the lives of his people.
”Let us opt for a new method of approach in handling this wave of insecurity that has befallen Southeast and South South of Nigeria.”