Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, has condemned the Directorate of State Services (DSS) for accusing Ndigbo of killing and burying five Fulani men in Abia State. In statement by Chief Goddy Uwazurike, the president-general, the group said that it was puzzled at how the DSS came to the conclusion that the bodies it allegedly discovered were that of the Fulani.
“If the bodies are decomposing and no autopsy has been done, how can anybody describe the deceased as Fulani? Is it by their wears? Many Igbo people wear Hausa / Fulani clothes,” Uwazurike stated.
He also asked: “How did the DSS come to the conclusion that the Indigenous People of Biafra group was responsible for the death of those men? Or is it a speculation?”
He said that Aka Ikenga examined the story and discovered that it was lacking in authenticity and dept.
According to him, “without an autopsy, there is no way DSS can identify the victims.”
The president general therefore on behalf of Aka Ikenga demands a public autopsy to be carried out by specialists from the Nigerian Medical Association, Abia State Branch, the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, the Abia State Government, the Civil Society Groups and the DSS. He pointed out that such was the procedure adopted on M.K.O Abiola’s death.
He called for a thorough investigation that would lead to the arrest of the culprits.
On the role of DSS, Uwazurike noted, what he described as the new toga of DSS, stressing, “The press release [from DSS] is a smoking gun in that it can incite other tribes against Ndigbo. “This is condemnable and must be denounced by all well-meaning people.
“Aka Ikenga has noted that the Fulani menace is nationwide and never for once has the DSS condemned the killing, maiming, rape, arson and destruction attributed to the Fulani herdsmen. Indeed, such activities like abduction of the elder statesman, Olu Falae, the Taraba killings, Agatu mayhem, do not merit the reaction of the DSS.”
Besides, the president general commended the Abia State government for issuing a rebuttal on the incident, stressing, “Peace is an expensive commodity; let us maintain it.”