Fayose Condemns Killing Of Pro-Biafra Protesters As “Wicked And Animalistic”

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has condemned in strong terms Monday’s killing of pro-Biafra protesters by security agencies in Anambra State, saying it appeared that President Muhammadu Buhari was turning the people of the South East and South South to “politically endangered species”.
The Nigerian Army on Monday justified the security agencies’ decision to shoot at members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), saying soldiers, as lead agency of the security agencies, had to invoke the extant Rules of Engagement (ROE) to resort to self-defence and defence of lives and property of peace-loving Nigerians.
After the sound of gunfire had died down and the streets had cleared, at least five members of the separatist groups, who were on a procession to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Biafra Republic by late warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, were already killed.
But witnesses claimed that at least 30 people were killed by security agencies.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Fayose called on the international community to take note of the “wanton killings being perpetrated by the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government”.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the Ekiti governor said there was no justification for killing people who were marking “Biafra Day in memory of the former leader of the defunct Biafra Republic, the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu”.
He said it was worrisome that Nigeria and its people had been more divided since the advent of Buhari’s government, adding that approach to civil unrests of any kind under the government was causing more security problems for the country.
Fayose, who reaffirmed his avowed belief in the unity of Nigeria, said it was unspeakable for security men to have used live ammunition against the pro-Biafra protesters and went on to justify the murder of innocent Nigerians just because their views were different from those of the president.
“To even justify the killing by claiming that the Igbo youths protest was orchestrated in order to mar the first anniversary of Buhari’s government is to say the least, wicked and animalistic”, the governor said.
He also said it was worrisome that more than 150 Igbo youths had been killed by Nigerian security operatives under the directive of Buhari’s government from August 30, 2015 till date, adding that “It appears that President Buhari has made up his mind to eliminate as many South East and South South people as possible and lovers of the corporate existence of Nigeria and its people should call the president to order”.
“I am alarmed that Nigerians who were only on peaceful protest could be shot at and killed by security agents and after the senseless killing of innocent Nigerians, security agents could demonstrate their heartlessness by coming up with justifications for the criminal act.
“One is however not surprised because every evil perpetrated by the Buhari-led government against Nigerians, especially those the presidents appears to hate, have been justified by those who perpetrated them.
“We were in this country when over 1,000 Shiite Muslims were killed and buried overnight in Zaria, Kaduna State, and the murder was justified. We were also here when over 400 Agatus were killed in Benue State and the President said nothing.
“The Monday killing of over 30 Igbo youths is therefore condemnable. Its justification is barbaric, heartless, crude and must be condemned by all lovers of unity of Nigeria and its people.
“I therefore wish to express my sympathy to the people of the South Eastern part of Nigeria and I urge them to remain resolute in their agitation for a Nigeria in which all Nigerians are treated equally irrespective of their tribe and religion”.