NCWS decries extrajudicial killing of IPOB members, says its unlawful, against International Law

The leader of the National Congress of Wo-Mens Societies (NCWS) Nigeria Dr. Ngozi Orabueze has decried the continuous killing and intimidation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Nigeria government using the military, police, and other security forces.

She said the security agents carried out undeclared war against the people in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. 

Orabueze also bemoaned the tension and continuous loss of lives of the men of the Nigerian military, security agents and police who are caught up in the crisis and tension that could be prevented by the current Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari.

She expressed dismay at a report by an online newspaper not the NationalUpdate, which explained how scores of alleged members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) were buried in mass graves in Enugu State Nigeria. 
The report disclosed that the Nigeria military and other security agencies invaded Akpawfu community in the Nkanu East local government area of Enugu state killing an undisclosed number of indigens and burning their homes when their area came under heavy bombardment from air and land.

The report clarified that residents and security forces confirmed that those killed were buried in a mass grave.

The burying of scores of indigenes killed by the military and security forces in mass graves can be likened to what happened in a war situation to shield information from local and international news media and organizations on the accurate number of individuals killed during such raids and operations. 

The traditional Community leader Igwe Augustine Nnamani who confirmed the invasion of his community by Nigeria military and security forces explained that everyone in the community ran away during the invasion adding that after the bombing, the military came back with about 7 Hilux trucks.

The online Newspaper noted that attempts to talk to the Director of Army Public Relations Brig. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu failed.

Orabueze who has consistently called on the Nigerian President to listen to the Indigenes, dialogue with the leaders of agitating groups especially the leader of the  Indigenous people of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who was recently acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Nigeria.

She explained that the continuous killing of indigenes due to their belief is not only a crime against humanity but also a crime against international and regional laws that guarantee rights of citizens to self-determination. 
“These rights are protected by the United Nations Charter on Rights of People to self-determination which strongly condemns the escalation of massacres of defenceless population and the continuing destruction of economic and social infrastructure by armed terrorists, who are an extension of the government of aggression”. 
She called on the Nigeria military and police to respect the beliefs of the people of Southeastern Nigeria who have consistently called for Referendum and/or restructuring of the Nigerian State.
Orabueze noted that the tendency to ignore the wishes of the masses and engage with the few sell-outs in the community will always backfire and will lead to more deaths and crisis on both sides as there will be no peace where justice is denied.
She used the opportunity to plead with the Nigeria government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by the Nigeria Appeal Court and United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Such release is in line with the Nigeria and international laws and will reduce tension in the Southeast Nigeria. 
Orabueze called on the Nigeria government to listen to the voice of the majority of Nigerians cutting across the east, west, north, and south and engage them in meaningful dialogue that will prevent and lower the current tension existing in most parts of the country today.

She asked the Nigeria president and themilitary to stop the killing of innocent citizens who defend their regions and lands from terrorists that have taken over most parts of the country.
Orabueze reminded them that some parts of Nigeria are currently under the control of terrorists wondering why the Federal government will continue to kill and attack indigenes that defend their lands, bushes, farms, or regions against terrorist invaders.

She noted that the killings are further dividing the country as no one wants to see his children killed without committing any crime.

The NCWS leader explained that dialogue rather than use of guns, war planes and other kinetics is needed at the moment in Nigeria’s history as she called on all Nigeria leaders to play the role which the masses entrusted on them so as to gain the confidence of the people.

She finally used the opportunity to congratulate members of the NCWS that made it to the final electoral process in their communities.

“NCWS will continue to encourage community and regional growth and empowerment.”

Special recognition was given to her team Musa Maccido Gombe North State House of Assembly, Aisha Abdullahi Federal State House of Assembly Chibok, Damboa and Gwoza, Ibrahim Balarabe Garba Gombe House of Representatives Akko, and James Obioma Nelson Bende House of Representatives.