The former national publicity secretary for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh has condemned the invasion by some soldiers of the Nigerian Army on the residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Metuh in a statement on Monday, September 11, said the military invasion on Nnamdi Kanu’s residence is “indeed traumatic and unacceptable”.
The former PDP spokesperson having read the statement by the military on the clash, said there were obvious wrong actions taken by the troops against the people.
He said: “First, there is no such thing as ‘show of force’ in a peaceful part of our country. It is a provocative taunt and insult thrown at the face of the elected, appointed and anointed leaders as well as the people themselves.
“When you taunt and mock a people because you control instruments of brute force, yes, you can arrest, humiliate, handcuff, maim, imprison or even shoot and kill them at will, but then, you cannot kill the spirit of their struggle and resistance. Provocative and brute show of force does not hold the answers.
“Moreover, we are in a democracy and actions as these are at complete variance with the tenets and credentials of a democratic state. The security forces should not under any guise whatsoever be used or allow themselves to be seen as being used as political weapon on a people.
“The military high command should therefore not stretch the nation to the limits. It should forthwith withdraw soldiers from the streets, except if truly the intention is to intimidate the people.”
Metuh said he will continue to advice the people of the south-east to remain peaceful and continue to be law abiding at all times.
Kanu speaking on the invasion said the soldiers who drove the armoured vehicles blared siren disturbing the peace of the community before firing live ammunition and residents.
He also said that the soldiers who had disturbed his siesta had also plotted to kill him.