Shootings as security forces invade Nnamdi Kanu lawyer’s country home, CSO kicks
Nigerian security forces are currently occupying the hometown of Ifeanyi Ejiofor, an attorney to the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Peoples Gazette has learnt.
Mr Ejiofor raised an alarm in the wee hours of Sunday, tweeting that the military has taken over his country home, shooting sporadically on-site to arrest him.
The Gazette learnt Mr Ejiofor had over the weekend visited his hometown, Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
An excerpt of the tweet reads, “My life is under serious threat. People are being killed and I don’t know what will happen to me next.”
A few minutes later, he tweeted saying, “Pray for me and my entire household. You may not hear from me again till further notice.”
Although, The Gazette could not independently confirm the attack, a police spokesman in Anambra, Ikenganyia Tochukwu Anthony, denied knowledge of the attack.
” I have not really gotten any information on it,” Mr Anthony told The Gazette on telephone, saying, “People have been calling me concerning the issue, and I am trying to call the command to get details.”
Civil Society Organisation, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, has urged the Nigerian government to desist from attacking Barrister Ejiofor and other activists for defending citizens irrespective of the crimes committed.
Board chair of the group, Emeka Umeagbalasi, in a statement sent to The Gazette, demanded that the military follow due process, warning that the government would be held responsible should anything happens to Mr Ejiofor and his family members.
“The security forces of Nigeria are hereby called upon to withdraw and discontinue their siege and follow due process. If Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor is legitimately wanted for any crime, due processes must be followed to the letter,” the group said.
In 2019, the police declared Mr Ejiofor wanted for the murder of two police officers in his hometown in Anambra state. This follows a clash between the IPOB members and the police, several media organisations reported.
The Gazette learnt Mr Ejiofor also sued the police for invading his house that led to the death of four persons including the two police officers.
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