The recent killings of youths in Awomama in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State has continued to generate controversy in the state, with Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) calling for the resignation of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

A statement by the President-General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, condemning the incident, issued a seven-day ultimatum for the governor to resign or face a massive protest.

“The unlawful killings going on in Imo State is unacceptable, wicked, barbaric, villainous, senseless and we condemn it in its entirety,” Ibem stated.

“We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Ebubeagu Operatives who perpetrated this wicked and evil act and call for an immediate independent panel of inquiry to properly investigate such a heinous crime against humanity,” the statement continued.

“We will not accept the killing of 14 innocent youths laying low, Governor Hope Uzodinma must resign within 7 days resign from office as governor of Imo State or be Impeached by Imo State House of Assembly else the youths will occupy the roads lawfully in protest to demand his resignation as Executive Governor of Imo State.

“We humbly solicit for the pro bono legal services of Barr Femi Falana, SAN, Barr Mike Ahamba, SAN, Barr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and all other legal luminaries in the country and outside the country to please come to the aid of Imo youths before they are exterminated from the surface of the earth,” Ibem stated.

Former Deputy Governor Eze Madumere has expressed his feelings over the incident just as he has called for immediate independent investigations into the causes of the alleged deaths.

Madumere, in a statement by his media aide, Uche Onwuchekwa, noted that “warding away criminal elements does not include erasing the youthful human resources of the state.

He called for an independent investigation into the root cause of the incident

“While we commend the governor for his resolute stance in keeping Imo State safe, the sordid happenings and alleged killings directed at the youthful population of Imo West senatorial zone must be condemned in its entirety,” he stated.

“I will suggest that ‘Forensic Experts’ should be deployed to resolve some of the killings.

“I have always recommended deployment of crisis resolution approach to resolving some these security challenges. We have tried it in the past and we got great results. Carrot and stick is part of the strategies and everything is wrong if we continue to keep quiet just to be politically correct,” Madumere stated. (Text, excluding headline: Daily Sun)

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