The Council of Ohafia Monarchs has decried what it termed the continuous harassment of Ohafia residents, especially the youth.
The traditional leaders, after a meeting urged the military to deceased from harassing and intimidating peace-loving residents of Ohafia on the pretext of looking for unknown gunmen.
The communique was signed by the traditional leaders of Ohafia including; Professor E U L Imaga, Udumeze Ohafia / (Ezieogo Elu), Ezieogo Emmanuel Kalu Kalu Onugu ( Ezieogo Asaga), Ezieogo Mba Odo Okereke (Ezieogo Akanu), Ezieogo AWA Nwankwo (Ezieogo Amaekpu) and Ezieogo Mmecha Ugbu Mmecha (Ezieogo Amangwu).
The Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU) and Ohafia leaders of thoughts were also at the meeting.
The meeting resolved as follows;
“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 intimidations and harassments.
“We do not know any “Un-known 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 stigmatising all youths and residents of Ohafia.
“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.
“The continuous lock-down of commercial and social activities in Ohafia Community has completely paralyzed economic activities and well-being of Ndi Ohafia
“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.
“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.
“We however, condemn the continuous harassments 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.”
