Amnesty International Nigeria has described as “horrifying”, the killing of seven youths in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.
The operatives of a government-backed security outfit, Ebubeagu, were said to have carried out the killing on Sunday in a community called Owomama in Oru East Local Government Area where the youths had gone to attend a marriage ceremony.
The victims were returning from the ceremony when the operatives allegedly opened fire on them.
Nnamdi Agbor, a leader in Otulu Community where the slain youths hailed from, was quoted in the local media as saying that the operatives kept firing gunshots on the victims who were down to ensure they were dead.
Mr Agbor said many others who ran into the bush were still missing while some who sustained gunshot injuries had been taken to hospitals.
The police spokesperson in the state, Michael Abattam, confirmed the killing. He said the police have begun an investigation into it. “It is horrifying that unarmed young men who clearly posed no threat to anyone were gunned down, in utter disdain for the right to life,” Osai Ojigho, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Such killings cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever,” he added.
“At least seven friends including two siblings were allegedly extrajudicially executed by members of the Ebubeagu state security outfit at Awomamma community in Oru East Local Government of Imo state on 17 July 2022.
Credit: premiumtimesng.com
