IGBOAYAKA: Plateau Youths Condemn Ebonyi Govt’s Illegal Arrest, Call For Immediate release
The Coalition of Plateau state Indigenous Ethnic Youth nationalities have vehemently frowned at the illegal arrest of the National President of Ohaneze Youth Council Comrd. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka by the men of the Nigeria Police, Ebonyi State Command.
Famousreporters.com reports that the prominent Igbo youth leader was unlawfully smuggled into a vehicle by some masked men who were subsequently identified as Police officers from Ebonyi State.
The leadership of Plateau Youths frowned at the infringement of Igboayaka’s right by the perpetrators of the act, describing it as
an aberration of democracy.
Meanwhile, grapevine told Famousreporters.com that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru was infuriated by the outcome of the just concluded National election of Ohanaeze Youth Council, held in Owerri, Imo State capital, which returned Igboayaka as the President, hence did not favour the former’s candidate.
Consequently, Nwifuru, fuming with indignation, allegedly ordered the illegal arrest.
Although the government of Ebonyi State, in a release made available to the Media, have confirmed the arrest of Igboayaka by the men of the Nigeria Police, efforts to know the health status of the victim have proven futile, as the detainee’s health, according to reports is deteriorating while in incarceration.
Reacting to this in a release co-signed by Amb. Ezekiel Bini and Comrd. Lamtei Longpien Dakup, the State coalition Chairman and State Coalition Publicity Secretary, respectively (COPSIEYN) condemned in totality the unwarranted abduction and detention of Igboayaka, pointing out that “this arbitrary detention is a clear violation of his fundamental human rights and an affront to the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”
They unanimously urgeed the government of Ebonyi State to adhere to the rights of all citizens thus desisting from the extant harassment and intimidation of Igboayaka, while calling for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as to bring the perpetrators to book.
The statement read in detail:
Coalition of plateau state Indigenous Ethnic youth nationalities strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of the National President of Ohaneze Youth Council comr. Igboayaka O and demand his immediate and unconditional release.
This arbitrary detention is a clear violation of his fundamental human rights and an affront to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. We urge the authorities to respect the rights of all citizens and to cease this harassment and intimidation.
“We call on the government of Ebonyi state to take immediate action to release Comrd. Igboayaka O Igboayaka and to ensure that all those responsible for this unlawful arrest are held accountable.
“We also demand that the government guarantee the safety and security of the National President, Comr.Igboayaka O. and all other members of the organization, and that it respects their right to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take all necessary actions to ensure that justice is served and that the rights of all citizens are protected.”
