*Amid insecurity, killings
The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) has urged Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, to withdraw from the all campaign activities preparatory to contesting election for a second term in office.
The group’s admonition came on the heels of the assassination of five police officers and a couple by unidentified gunmen on Friday.
Five police officers were reportedly eating in a nearby canteen at the Okpala Junction in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area when some unidentified gunmen opened fire on them early on Friday.
A couple – Mr. and Mrs. Chinaka Nwagu – who ran a store next to the crime scene, was also killed by the attackers.
Meanwhile, the Police have announced a manhunt for the unknown gunmen.
Police spokesperson in the State, Henry Okoye, said the Command has deployed Operational and Tactical teams to the area, to provide security, and apprehend the fleeing gunmen.
However, the national coordinator for HURIWA, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, through a statement on Saturday, urged Governor Uzodinma to announce his withdrawal from running for a second term in office.
Onwubiko also noted the governor’s failure to engage in constructive dialogue with restive youths in the state, while urging the governor to set up a reconciliation commission and pay compensations to the families of the affected victims.
“HURIWA condemns in strong terms the killings of the five policemen on Friday in Imo states and the serial murders of Imo youths.
“We condemn the intransigence of Gov Hope Uzodimma to opt for constructive dialogues with all the restive youths of Imo State. We call on the governor to step down from being on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress for a second term in order to save Imo from continuous killings.
“Gov Uzodimma, if he means well for the State, should announce that he won’t be running in the November governorship poll, then set up a reconciliation commission by offering apologies to families of all those killed including security operatives and civilians.
“He should also pay compensations where possible, offer amnesty and open avenues for peace building through withdrawal and submission of arms by sundry armed groups. But the reconciliation must be sincere and pragmatic.”