The Coucil of Ohafia Monarchs and Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU), in Abia State, has said that the siege in their communities by the military has turned them into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) in their land.

This was in a communiqué issued at the end of a security meeting of council of Ohafia Monarchs held at Udumeze palace on Monday, June 14, and made available to ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER.

The Monarchs noted that the people of Ohafia are law abiding citizens and as such, does not deserve the harassment and intimidation being meted on them by the military personnel.

They advised the military to device means of arresting criminal personalities rather than stigmatizing all youths and residents of Ohafia, adding that the activities of the Nigerian Army has paralyzed economic and social activities in Ohafia communities.

Recall that the Nigerian Army yesterday, through its Director, Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, debunked that the military was on a revenge mission in the communities, adding that flying reports were acts of blackmail.

The communique read;

A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A SECURITY MEETING OF COUNCIL OF OHAFIA MONARCHS AT UDUMEZE PALACE ON MONDAY 14TH JUNE 2021.

 INTRODUCTION :

The Council of Ohafia Monarchs, leading members of Ohafia  Improvement Union (OIU) and Ohafia leaders of thoughts views with utmost concern the insecurity situation in Ohafia, resulting in series of harassment and intimidation of law abiding residents of Ohafia by Security Agencies in Ohafia.

2. We wish to state unequivocally that Ndi Ohafia and residents of Ohafia are law abiding citizens of Nigeria who deserve protections from Nigerian law enforcement agencies instead of intimidation and harassment.

3. We do not know any “Unknown Gun men” in Ohafia. The security agencies know the characters and personality profiles of deviant elements in the community. They should device means of arresting such personalities rather than stigmatizing all youths and residents of Ohafia.

4. The Council of Ohafia Monarchs have used various traditional instruments of authority (Imomo, Ogele, Akpan, etc) to advice and counsel Ohafia Youths and persons to be law-abiding and responsible citizens.

5. The continuous lock-down of commercial and social activities in Ohafia Community has completely paralyzed economic activities and well-being of Ndi Ohafia

6. The Siege at Amangwu Ohafia has turned the people of Amangwu to internally displaced persons (IDPs)in their land. This situation has created fears and trepidation to other neighbouring Ohafia communities.

7. We appreciate the presence, services and comradeship of the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies in Ohafia, and hope it will so remain cordial to all concerned.

8. We however, condemn the continuous harassment and intimidation of well meaning and law abiding sons and daughters / residents of Ohafia. And we hereby request the Brigade Commander to reconsider their strategies and tactics of maintaining peace and harmony in Ohafia Communities without dehumanizing and intimidating of peace loving persons in Ohafia land. We ask for a return of economic and social activities in Ohafia

Signed by:

1. His Royal Paramountcy. Professor. E U L Imaga.

Udumeze Ohafia / (Ezieogo Elu)

2. His Royal Majesty.

Ezieogo Emmanuel Kalu Kalu Onugu ( Ezieogo Asaga)

3. His Royal Majesty . Ezieogo Mba Odo Okereke (Ezieogo Akanu)

4. His Royal Majesty. Ezieogo AWA Nwankwo (Ezieogo Amaekpu).

5. His Royal Majesty. Ezieogo Mmecha Ugbu Mmecha (Ezieogo Amangwu)

Signed on behalf of Council of Ohafia Monarchs.