25/10/2023
ILLEGAL CUTTING/SHAVING OF HAIR/DREADLOCKS AND INFRINGEMENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF EHUGBO PEOPLE FINALLY STOPPED BY HONORABLE UCHE.
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*HON UCHE IBIAM HOLDS SECURITY MEETING; HALTS FORCEFUL CUTTING OF HAIR,UNLAWFUL ARRESTS & DETENTIONS EVEN AS HE CALLS FOR THE REVIEW OF LOCAL LAWS INFRINGING ON PEOPLE'S FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFIKPO*
One unique thing about the Executive Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Hon Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam is his undeterred determination to the Peace and Security of his people at all times
His administration,no doubt,has successfully prioritized the Safety of lives and property of the residents of Afikpo Local Government Area in obedience to the maxim rooted in Cicero's De Legisbus, "salus Populi Suprema lex" meaning "safety and other welfare of the people are the greatest law"
This he demonstrated again on Tuesday, during a Peace & Security meeting held at the Council Hall, Afikpo involving Security Chiefs; Traditional Rulers Traditional Rulers-Elect; Essa & Eto Traditional Council of Elders; and Town Union Presidents and the Afikpo LGA Peace Committee
Addressing the people ,the Council Chairman who commended the Traditional Council of Elders for their efforts in fostering peace in Afikpo,expressed worry over some of the local laws made in recent times and moreso,the ways such laws were being enforced, and noted that if the situation is not checkmated now could breed crisis of unimaginable proportion
The Council Boss who further explained that Afikpo as a civilized city, has outgrown certain practices, directed Immediate halt to forceful cutting of people's hair/dreadlocks: unlawful arrest, torture and detention as well as breaking into people's homes & shops forcefully without any search warrants by any Taskforce in the City of Afikpo adding that no individual or group has the right to demolish people's properties without an order from a Court of competent jurisdiction.
He noted that members of the Taskforce operating in the City of Afikpo should restrict themselves to intelligence gathering as well as conduct their operations under the Supervision of Security Agencies, and warned that anybody or group infringing on the fundamental rights of any Nigerian in Afikpo,in the name of enforcing any law, would be brought to book
He expressed concern that this latest development in Afikpo has gone viral, thereby, giving negative image of the Town to outsiders and therefore called for the review of some of the local laws, stating that those ones that are inconsistent with the Constitution of the Country should be expunged to create room for robust harmonious living in Afikpo City
Adding his voice, the Area Commander, NPF, Afikpo,CSP Gabriel Urom;the Area Commander,NDLEA, Afikpo,CSN Richard Eze and the Commander of the Army Unit, Afikpo, Captain EB Kalu called on the people to avoid making local laws that promote torture, molestation; malicious damage, and infringement to people's rights and used the opportunity to advocate for community policing as the best way of securing our Communities from crimes and criminal elements.
Other speakers like the Chairman of Essa Ehugbo Traditional Council of Elders, Chief Christopher Abagha Egwu;the President General of ATWA,Chief Ogbonnia Okogwu; the President General of Ohaisu Community Development Association,Dr Jasper Okoro and Chief Azu Ewa thanked the Council Chairman, Hon Uche Ibiam for convening the timely Security meeting and promised to go back to their people and do the needful
The meeting also had the presence of the Vice Chairman, Hon Mrs Josephine Chinwe Nwogo; the Secretary To the Local Government,Hon Dame Priscillia Alu Idam; Councilors; Supervisors and other Stakeholders including the former Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon Chief Donatus Ezeogo
