Imo Progressive Lawyers Association (IPLA) has condemned alleged attacks by Ebubeagu security outfit on Izombe community in Imo State and called for its disbandment.

A statement, yesterday, by the President of IPLA, Chris Okeke, alleged that Ebubeagu stormed Izombe, armed to the teeth, recently, shooting sporadically, razing buildings and cars, while residents scampered for safety.

The attack, according to IPLA, resulted in several persons sustaining injuries from gunshots and machete cuts.

“As at the time of this report, about seven vehicles parked by the roadside, 18 fully stocked shops in the commercial centres of Umuokwu and Ugbele Izombe, as well as four residential buildings, were set ablaze.

“It is pertinent to note that Izombe community, especially Umuokwu Clan, is yet to recover from the loss suffered in October 2021, when the community was invaded by soldiers from 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, who destroyed over 150 buildings in Umuokwu, Umuorji and Ndioko over a dispute with some youths in the community that resulted in loss of lives, before the recent attack,” the statement reads.

IPLA accused Ebubeagu of invading Umuokwu and Ugbele clans on August 6, 2022 without provocation.

“This is one attack too many. Though a Commission of Inquiry was set up in February 2022 by the Imo government to receive and document complaints from security breaches, the recommendation of the commission is yet to receive the desired attention from the state government,” the lawyers lamented.

Condemning the operations of Ebubeagu in Imo, the group called for its disbandment, noting that the attacks are a gross violation of the fundamental rights of the people as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, particularly their right to life, right to dignity of human persons and right to private and family life.

IPLA added: “We also condemn the repeated attacks on other parts of Orlu Senatorial Zone by Ebubeagu and call on Governor Hope Uzodimma to expedite action in commissioning an independent investigation into the activities of Ebubeagu, the gross violation of human rights and destruction of property in Izombe, Awo Omamma, Njaba, Osu and other parts of the state, unmasking the culprits and ensuring that they are prosecuted accordingly.

“IPLA calls on the Imo government to live up to its responsibility of securing live and property of citizens.

“Security operatives must ensure that only persons involved in a crime are arrested to face the law, rather than destroy properties of innocent and peace-loving members of any community in the course of carrying out their duty.” (The Guardian)

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