By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi Democratic Movement (EDM) has strongly condemned what it described as “the barbaric, reprehensible and unacceptable” gun attack on the campaign convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South State Constituency, Barrister Rollins Offia Nwali, at Amaezekwe Community in Ezza South Local Government Area on Thursday night.

The attack said that the attack, reportedly carried out by armed political thugs, resulting in the loss of lives, was a clear manifestation of the growing culture of political violence, intimidation and lawlessness in Ebonyi State.

EDM stated that its alarming that citizens can no longer freely participate in political activities or move around their communities without fear of being attacked by armed men.

Continuing, considered the incident a serious indictment of the security architecture in Ebonyi State and a direct consequence of the apparent failure of the police command to act decisively on credible intelligence and repeated warnings about the deteriorating security situation in Ezza South.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the group’s Chairman, Igwe Emmanuel and made available to journalists in Abakaliki on Friday.

“What makes this tragedy even more disturbing is that the attack did not occur without prior warnings,” EDM said.

The group had consistently raised the alarm over the activities of individuals allegedly involved in political violence in Ezza South Local Government Area.

According to it, “Formal petitions were submitted to the office of the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, calling for urgent investigation and prosecution of those implicated.

“Beyond the petitions, public advertorials were published to draw attention to the worsening security situation. Protests were equally organised in Abuja to compel the relevant police authorities to intervene and prevent the state from descending into political violence.

“Regrettably, despite these repeated efforts, the police authorities failed to demonstrate the urgency and decisive action required to nip the situation in the bud.

“The unfortunate events at Amaezekwe are therefore a painful reminder of what can happen when credible security warnings are ignored and alleged perpetrators of political violence are allowed to operate without effective law enforcement intervention.

“We consequently demand the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, for what we consider a grave failure of leadership, intelligence response and preventive policing.”

EDM maintained that the Commissioner of Police cannot continue to occupy such a sensitive office when repeated warnings, formal petitions and public appeals concerning politically motivated violence have allegedly failed to produce the necessary preventive action.

It called on the Inspector-General of Police to publicly explain why the petitions and repeated appeals brought to his attention did not result in decisive intervention, adding that Nigerians and, particularly, the people of Ebonyi State deserve to know why the highest police authority failed to ensure appropriate action despite the warnings and protests organised in Abuja.

EDM insisted that the attack must not be swept under the carpet or reduced to another political disagreement.

“We demand Immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command,” it said.

The group called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the Amaezekwe gun attack and the reported deaths, immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of all persons found culpable, irrespective of their political affiliations or positions.

“Investigation into earlier petitions concerning alleged political violence in Ezza South and an explanation of the actions taken or neglected by the police. Adequate security protection for political candidates, supporters and residents across Ebonyi State, irrespective of political party.

“We further warn that the continued failure to prosecute perpetrators of political violence will only embolden criminal elements and create an atmosphere in which political disagreements are settled with bullets rather than democratic debate,” EDM said.

The statement appealed to the good people of Ebonyi State, particularly residents of Ezza South LGA, to remain calm, law-abiding and peaceful despite this unfortunate development.

The organisation urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to resist every temptation to engage in reprisals or self-help, saying that no political ambition is worth the blood of an innocent citizen.

“We shall employ every legitimate and constitutionally recognised means available to us to ensure that all those responsible for political violence in Ezza South Local Government Area are identified, investigated and brought before a court of competent jurisdiction,” EDM said.