The Igbo National Council , INC has condemned the killing of residents and indigenes of Ihiagwa and Eziobodo communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, accusing non-indigenous commercial motorcycle operators of carrying out the attacks.
In a statement signed by Chilos Godsent, President of the group, the INC alleged that the killings, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, May 13, were linked to commercial motorcycle riders suspected of attempting to establish criminal camps in forests within the affected communities. The organisation described the attacks as “reckless killings” and urged security agencies to swiftly identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The council also called on traditional rulers, president-generals, vigilante groups and youth leaders in Ihiagwa, Eziobodo, Obibiezena and Nekede to immediately establish what it described as a Community Transport and Security Committee to profile, coordinate and monitor the activities and identities of commercial motorcycle operators within the areas.
The INC warned that it would not tolerate a recurrence of such attacks in Imo communities, cautioning individuals allegedly using commercial motorcycle operations as cover for criminal activities to either abandon such acts or leave the state.
