IPOB/Police clash: We’re in democracy, people should be entitled to speak their minds- Ekweremadu

Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, has advised security agencies to always be cautious when quelling disturbances and protests to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. Ekerenmadu made the call at the Senate on Tuesday while speaking on Monday’s clashes between Indigenous
Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and security operatives some states in South-East and Delta. He said that the country had witnessed a lot of unnecessary killings arising from clashes by members of the public and security agencies. According to Ekweremadu, the protest by IPOB, which led to bloody clashes in Delta and Anambra could have been handled differently. `I will like to use this opportunity under Order 43 to say that the security agencies must apply caution in trying to quell disturbances. “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 rise 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. “We are now in a democracy and people should be entitled to speak their minds and to assemble under responsible circumstances. “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,” he said. The issue was, however, not debated by the Senate. In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that 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.