House of Representatives, Thursday, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explore political and diplomatic means to address the issues of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as a way of ending the perennial menace of insecurity in the South East region of the country.
The House also urged the government to consult with the political, traditional and religious leaders in Ebonyi State and the South East to find a lasting solution to challenge.
The call followed the consideration of a motion moved by Hon. Eze Nwachukwu from Ebonyi State while seeking to halt the killings in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu federal constituency of the State. Presenting the motion, Nwachukwu said two persons were killed on July 4 in a market in Ebonyi LGA by unidentified gunmen, with several others sustaining injuries.
Abbas, while ruling on amendments to a motion by Eze Nwachukwu Eze, said he would have to consult the majority and leaders before ruling on a proposal for Kanu’s release, as part of efforts to stop killings in the South East. He also urged the Acting Inspector General of Police to mobilise Armoured Personnel Carriers to strategic points across Ebonyi State to forestall future attacks.
He further urged the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to ensure effective policing of Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu Federal Constituency of Ebonyi, other states of the South-east and the entire country.On Tuesday, gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) scared citizens particularly traders around Ishieke and Ukwuachi suburbs of Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State. Their actions caused panic as people took to their heels for safety.
Meanwhile, an amendment to the motion by Rep. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, which called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu to bring an end to the killings in the South East region, was rejected and deferred by the presiding officer Speaker Abbas, who said the subject matter should not come under the motion on Ebonyi killings.
According to him, “the insecurity is as a result of the prolonged detention of Mazi Kanu and see a way of releasing him so as to restore east to the entire South East.” On his part, the Deputy House leader, Rep Halims rejected the Amendment, noting that matters like that are always determined by court and not by Parliamentary decision.
Mr. Onwusibe had said said that the Insecurities being experienced in the south east was as a result of the prolonged detention of Mr Kanu. He urged the government to find a way of releasing him so as to restore east to the entire south east.
Imosam (
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