Abia youths protest, call for end to Ebubeagu

Youths from Abia and other parts of the South East trooped out in their numbers in Aba, the Abia State commercial capital, to protest the killing of innocent indigenes of the zone by the Ebubeagu Security Network.

The protest was coming on the heels of the alleged recent killings of indigenes of Imo and Ebonyi states by the operatives of the regional militia.

The protesters, who gathered under the aegis of Igbo Youths, numbering over 400, marched through Umule, Faulks, and Aba-Owerri, among other major roads in Aba, causing gridlock along some of the major roads as they protested.

The protesters carried placards some of which had inscriptions such as, “Ebubeagu: Stop killing in Igboland”, “Ebubeagu Stop Shedding Innocent Blood”, “Igboland is Bleeding”, and “End Ebubeagu Now”.

The protesters chanted different solidarity songs as they called for the disbandment of the militia.

According to the protesters, it has become imperative that governors of the southeast ban the operation of the Ebubeagu Security Network in their various states owing to the numerous bloodshed recorded in the southeast as a result of the activities of the security network.

The protesting youths also frowned at the activities of armed herdsmen in Abia State who according to them have been kidnapping innocent citizens at will and forcing them to part with huge sums as ransom.

It was gathered that the protesters were dispatched with teargas by a combined police team from the Aba Area Command and some of the special units from the Abia State Command.

Unconfirmed reports have it that some of the protesters were arrested by the police team.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna, did not respond to several calls made to his mobile number.

However, a police source, who could not confirm the number of suspects in their custody, said the protesters were arrested for protesting without permission from the police. (Daily Sun)