By Ikenna Orioha
A group, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), an apex body of youth groups in South East, has strongly kicked against the unlawful arrest, torture, harassment of journalists, newspaper vendors and distributors in Imo State.
The group in a release signed by the President General and Secretary General, Hon Goodluck Ibem and Comr Kanice Igwe respectively and made available to journalists in Owerri on Tuesday, kicked against these attacks on journalists, newspaper vendors and distributors in Owerri, describing the act as a coup against democracy and travesty of the 1999 constitution which gives citizens the right to life, freedom of speech and association.
COCEYL regretted that “even in a banana republic, journalists are respected. In times of war, journalists are permitted to perform their legitimate duties. Now, why is the security operatives arresting, detaining, torturing vendors.
The group said “as representatives of youths of South East, we demand a halt to the wanton arrest of journalists, newspaper vendors and distributors and unlawful, barbaric and wicked killings of Igbo youths.
COCEYL noted that “despite the killings by Fulani herdsmen terrorists in Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Imo States, the military and the police had not arrested even one Fulani herder in connection to the barbaric and wicked killings and destructions. The group called on government to stop the killing, arrest and detention of innocent people by calling the military and the police to order to avoid anarchy.
