The people of Oru East and West local government areas of Imo state have staged a protest over the alleged killing of more than ten youths from the area on Sunday by persons suspected to be members of “Ebebuagu” security outfit set up by the state government.
The protesters blocked the Onitsha-Owerri road for hours calling on the state government to put an end to incessant killings and harassments of youths of the two local government areas by what they described as trigger-happy security outfit.
Some of the protesters told newsmen that men of Ebubeagu security ran into the youths of Otulu community who were returning from a marriage ceremony of their brother at Awo-Omamma, a nearby community on a motorcycle convoy and opened fire on them thereby killing many and injuring others.
However, the State Governor Chief Hope Uzodimma had told Journalists in Owerri that the operation was carried out by a conventional security agency noting that interim reports indicated that the victims were bandits terrorizing the area.
The Governor said he would not be deterred by efforts of the enemies of the state who engaged in blackmail noting that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state was as result of the determination of the government to stamp out criminality.
Remains of victims of the attack were seen in viral videos as youths from the areas recovered the bodies hours after the incident thereby raising questions on who actually carried out the operation.
RADIO NIGERIA