HURIWA condemns Onitsha market shooting, urges government to protect citizens

By Chioma Obinna

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned reports of a shooting involving traders astatine Onitsha Main Market, Emeka Offor Plaza, and called connected the Anambra State Government to prioritise the information of residents.

According to eyewitness accounts, shots were reported during an altercation connected Tuesday morning. Some witnesses identified the enforcement portion progressive arsenic the Ocha Brigade. At slightest 1 idiosyncratic was reported to person died and respective others were injured, including a large woman. The Anambra State Police Command said normalcy has been restored and the injured were taken to hospital.

In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged the authorities to reappraisal the arming and deployment of authorities enforcement units and see non-lethal options specified arsenic h2o cannons oregon rubber bullets for assemblage management.

“There is nary condition nether which peaceful traders should look lethal force. Protecting lives indispensable beryllium the foremost precedence of government,” Onwubiko said.

The organisation has called for a thorough, impartial probe and for anyone recovered liable to beryllium held accountable successful accordance with the law. Citing Section 33(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, HURIWA reiterated that each national has an inalienable close to life.

HURIWA besides urged civilian nine organisations and the National Human Rights Commission to show developments and assistance safeguard citizens’ rights. The radical recommended contiguous measures to forestall recurrence, including stricter oversight of enforcement units and prioritising non-lethal approaches to guarantee nationalist information and support livelihoods.

The station HURIWA condemns Onitsha marketplace shooting, urges authorities to support citizens appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.