Why Killing Of IPOB’s ESN Commander, Ikonso Is Disastrous – Ohanaeze

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said the killing of a top commander of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) Ikonso Don was a disaster.

In a statement by the Secretary-General of the organization, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said the killing had made Ikonso a martyr.

According to the Igbo group, Ikonso’s death has further worsened the tensed security situation in the Southeast zone.

“We have taken time to study the entire situation before issuing this statement and we feel that many questions are left unanswered,” Ohanaeze said.

“There are strong counter claims that Ikonso was not killed during a gun duel contrary to the statement by security agencies. And our question is: why kill a man you have taken captive? Why did they not arrest and prosecute him in a court of competent jurisdiction?

“So, we are questioning the circumstances surrounding his death. Ikonso should not have been killed. His death has huge consequences because he has been made martyr, a hero, you can even see that the IPOB said they have renamed the Imo Government House after him.

“The escalation of violence we are witnessing in the Southeast now won’t be happening if they didn’t kill him. Southeast is now at the mercy of herdsmen and unknown gunmen.”

The group accused the federal government of trying to militarize the southeast, adding that government must give governors all the support they need.

“Military action is not the solution, they should withdraw troops from the roads. What the Federal government must do at the moment is to give the Southeast governors all the support they need. We are not seeing it at the moment, federal forces are rather making things difficult for them. The governors should take the lead with the Federal government supporting them.

“The Federal Government must also end all forms of marginalization of the Southeast, that’s why the youths are very angry. We have started the process of restoring peace, we are talking with all stakeholders, every party, but the Federal Government should stop aggravating matters.”