Imo: Omokiri, Igbo Leaders Decry Military Attack On Orlu

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Reno Omokiri has joined other prominent Nigerians who have knocked the military for laying siege on Orlu, Imo state in search of members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN. The ESN was established by the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB to provide security in the south east but has recently come under attack by Nigeria security forces.

On Thursday, the Nigerian military were seen carrying out airstrikes in the town. Some footage of the airstrikes shared online by residents showed people running in panic as they tried to escape being hit by bullets.

In another, viral videos, a helicopter belonging to Nigerian military was seen shooting into communities as residents scamper for safety. Another video also showed a child crying and calling on the mother to save her from being hurt.

But Omokiri said the attack on Orlu is a misplaced priority on the part of the country’s security forces. According to him, the military should be concerned on how to rescue over 40 school children kidnapped by bandits in Niger state.  Omokiri, a former spokesman for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan said it was wrong for the military to attack ESN who are trying to rid the south east of criminality such as arm banditry, kidnapping and killer herdsmen.

The former presidential aide who spoke on Arise Television programme said “the government did not send gunship and helicopters” against bandits who are abducting people in the north, adding that the Buhari administration has not shown seriousness in tackling insecurity in the country.

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB has condemned the operation. Uchenna Madu, MASSOB leader in the state said in a statement, that the military operation was an attack on Igbo people calling on the human rights and international communities to intervene to save lives.

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, condemned what is claimed was “indiscriminate shooting by soldiers in Orlu and Orsu under whatever guise,” calling on the military to “immediately relocate its operation to Borno State and other northern states ravaged by Boko Haram terrorists and insurgent.”