Imo: Udo Community Seeks Probe Into Alleged Excessive Force, Rights Violations

The people of Udo Community in Ezinihtte-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State have appealed to relevant government authorities to investigate alleged cases of excessive use of force and infringement of residents’ rights.

President-General of the Udo Peoples Assembly (UPA), Sir Collins Onyewuchi, made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Onyewuchi also called on security agencies to exercise restraint and adhere to established rules of engagement when responding to disputes or security concerns in the community.

He identified the selection and recognition of a traditional ruler as a major source of the dispute following the death and burial of the community’s former traditional ruler in 2020.

According to him, the Udo constitution provides a process for determining which village should produce the traditional ruler before candidates emerge.

He said disagreements arose over the process after the state government subsequently presented a staff of office to one of the contenders.

Onyewuchi said the UPA wrote to the governor over the matter but, after receiving no response, approached the court seeking clarification on the applicable process.

He stressed that the matter remains before the court, with relevant government parties represented, and urged all parties to allow the judicial process to run its course.

The UPA president-general argued that community members should not be subjected to intimidation or excessive force over a matter already before a competent court.

Onyewuchi alleged that the latest major incident occurred on August 10, during preparations by women of the community for their annual August meeting.

He claimed that a group of people arrived at Umunnore village during a prayer gathering and attempted to disrupt the activity. He alleged that an altercation followed and that a firearm was discharged during the incident.

According to him, security personnel subsequently entered parts of the community, leading to the arrest of about eight youths.

He further alleged that some residents were assaulted and required medical attention. The detained youths, he said, were eventually released on August 13.

Onyewuchi said the incident disrupted the women’s planned three-day August programme and created additional tension in the community.

He also raised concerns over property allegedly taken during the operation. While some items had reportedly been returned, he said certain phones and a laptop belonging to residents had not been recovered.

The UPA leader appealed to the police and other security agencies to investigate the allegations and establish what transpired during the incident.

He also expressed concern over reports and messages circulating on social media which, he alleged, could escalate tensions within the community.

Onyewuchi referred to earlier incidents in which, according to him, some community members were reported to security agencies over alleged plans to cause disturbances. He said some of those concerns were subsequently resolved without violence.

He appealed to the Imo State Government, police authorities and other relevant security agencies to ensure disputes within Udo are handled through dialogue, lawful procedures and proportionate security measures.

“We want the relevant government agencies to address the alleged infringement of fundamental human rights and brutality against our people,” Onyewuchi said.

He maintained that Udo residents were willing to cooperate with lawful authorities but urged security agencies to distinguish between genuine security threats and community disputes.

He also called on residents and all parties involved in the traditional leadership dispute to remain peaceful while awaiting the court’s determination.

The UPA leader said the community’s immediate priority was to restore calm and ensure residents could conduct legitimate community activities without fear