Nzuko Umunna, an Igbo socio-cultural think tank, has strongly condemned what it described as the constant killing of unarmed Igbo youths by security operatives.

The group gave this stance while reacting to the extra-judicial killings that occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Emene, Enugu State involving Igbo youths and operatives of the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Army.

Nzuko Umunna noted that the extra-judicial killings took place when security operatives invaded a peaceful meeting of the youths, while the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdurahman, conceded that many of the youths “escaped with bullet wound and police have started tracing them.”

In a statement on Monday signed by Ngozi Odumuko, Coordinator; Paschal Mbanefo, and Secretary, Nzuko Ummunna, the group said it received the report with shock and deep concern.

“We note with grave concern the constant killing of unarmed Igbo youths by security operatives. This is unacceptable and must stop. However, we urge Igbo youths to refrain from retaliatory attacks.

“It is noteworthy that extra-judicial killings are a violation of the right to life as enshrined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” the group said.

It commiserated with all the families that lost their loved ones in the latest bloodletting.

Nzuko Umunna however commended the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his prompt visit to the scene of the extra-judicial killings.

“In particular, we urge the Governor to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of these wanton killings including the exact number of victims, with a view to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The group urged the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) and the South East Joint Security Committee to urgently activate the long-awaited regional security network to reassure citizens on the security of lives and property, and to finding a sustainable framework towards resolving the longstanding security challenges and extra-judicial killings in the region.

It called on the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Honourable Justice Priscilla Emehelu to urgently convene a coroner’s inquest on these extra-judicial killings.