Ekweremadu on Biafra killings: Security agents shouldn’t stop people from speaking their minds

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy president of the senate, has advised security agencies to be cautious when quelling disturbances and protests to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

Reacting to the clashes between Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and security operatives in some states in the southern part of the country, he said:”We are now in a democracy and people should be entitled to speak their minds and to assemble under responsible circumstances”.

He said that the country had witnessed a lot of unnecessary killings arising from clashes by members of the public and security agencies.

Ekweremadu said the protest by IPOB, which led to the loss of lives could have been handled differently.

He was speaking at plenary on Tuesday.

“I will like to use this opportunity under order 43 to say that the security agencies must apply caution in trying to quell disturbances,” he said.

“We have had so much of blood bath in this country under different circumstances and we cannot continue to lose young men and women because the future of this country belongs to them.

“It is important that this senate rises to condemn any act of killing in any part of this country, especially with the one that concern the major part of our future which remains the youth.

“Security agencies must also be responsible in dealing with those circumstances to ensure that lives are not lost unnecessarily.

“I just wish to bring to the notice of the senate for us to take note and possibly, the states involved to set up enquiry to find out what led to these clashes.”

The issue was, however, not debated by the senate.

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki, said although there could not be any debate on the matter, it was necessary that actions were taken on it.

“I think that the point he has raised must draw attention of all and see what necessary action will be taken in other to address this matter,” he said.