This was contained in a statement endorsed by the Chairman of the Association, Mr Celestine Okeh and his Secretary, Mr Ndubisi Nwogha on Saturday in Abakalki, the Ebonyi State Capital.
OMPAN, having viewed critically, the worrisome security situation in the state with particular reference to the escalating dimension it has taken even in the state capital, Abakaliki, condemned in its strongest terms, the barbaric abduction of innocent, helpless, and harmless children from Enyigba community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state by suspected miscreants from Enyibuchiri community in Ikwo Council Area and as well joined in the call for their immediate release from their abductors.
The Association said, for 'having established the fact the issue is that of criminal abduction,' urged Ebonyi 'government to give the security agencies a marching order to arrest and prosecute the culprits to serve as deterrent to other criminal elements in the state.'
OMPAN added: "Having also established the fact that the recent act of abduction was purely criminal and no longer that of boundary dispute between Enyibichiri community in Ikwo Local Government Area and Enyigba community in Abakaliki Local Government Area, and that government has recently completed the demarcations of the disputed land to the satisfaction of the two disputing communities, the two clans should sheathe their sword and give peace a chance.
"That Government of Ebonyi State should, as a matter of urgency, prevail on youths of any of two brotherly clans and other criminal elements to refrain forthwith, further attacks, destruction of property and assault on the people of Ikwo living in the Capital City and in the suburbs of the state as there's no any established war between Ikwo and Izhi brothers.
"That security agencies in state in synergy with leaders of Ikwo and Izhi clans should immediately, begin a manhunt of the abductors of the said children."
The Asssociation thus, called for calm and urged the leaders to prevail on their youths to refrain from provocation; appealing to the youths of both Ikwo and Izhi clans not to embark on reprisals but continue to pursue peace at all costs for the good of the state.
Post a Comment