By TINA TIMOTHY

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) Nigeria has condemned the recent killing of two policemen in Aba, Abia state and subsequently called for increased intelligence gathering in the commercial city.

FENRAD, in a statement on Sunday, June 30, 2024, signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, commiserated with the families of the slain officers, the Abia State Police Command and everyone affected by the deaths.

“In the security landscape of Abia State, an ugly trend is unfolding, especially in Aba, the Enyimba city and its suburbs. In less than two months, personnel of the military and police on internal security enforcement have had to pay the ultimate price as victims felled by unknown assassins.

“Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group based in Abia State commiserates the death of two policemen who were shot while on duty at Opobo Junction in Aba on Friday, June 28, 2024. The Foundation, through this release, also sends condolences to the families of the slain officers, and to the Abia State Command of the Force and to all those affected by these deaths.

“The fact that these murderers limit their evil operation to Aba and its suburbs speaks volumes. There is now a compelling need to increase intelligence gathering in the Aba coordinates as a pre-emptory security measure. Also, the dynamics and trends of these killings need to be subjected to critical scrutiny to enable a better appreciation of the current situation and to meet the current challenges with strategic, tailored and targeted rapid response. The enemy must not get off scot-free,” FENRAD stated.

While calling for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killings, the group further urged the government to unconditionally release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, “to restore calm not only in Abia but the entire Southeast” as some attackers of uniformed men in the zone do so in the name of separatist agitation, adding that “this remains a win-win solution to the mounting regional insecurity being witnessed in Alaigbo.”

“The Foundation understands that Aba is the economic engine of the state, and so calls on the state government to take all necessary measures to ensure adequate security provision therein. There is a need to study the recent trend, especially as some faceless groups may have taken to attacking uniformed men in the name of separatist agitation. It is on this note that FENRAD calls for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to restore calm in not only Abia but the entire Southeast, as this remains a win-win solution to the mounting regional insecurity being witnessed in Alaigbo.

“Once again, the Foundation condemns these recent killings, and sympathises with those who are mourning. These violent killings, whatever factor or factors, alien or local, that are precipitating them, whether agitation for separate existence or some political motivation remain inhuman. The Foundation calls for immediate arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in this recent crime, whether they are faceless agitators or agents of the adversary of the state exploring regional insecurity to further their narrow political agenda,” FENRAD added.