By Samson Eze…
The rate at which young men especially the youths are being targeted, called out, and killed in South Eastern states of Nigeria; Imo state in particular in recent times, in the guise of fighting terrorism and banditry has been a thing of utmost worry to all well-meaning Nigerians.
The ugly narrative above is not different from the devastating story of one Mr. Kingsley popularly known as “Back horse” from Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo state among other promising youths in the state whose life is endangered with incessant threats to his life, harassment, burning of property, and trailing of his movements on grounds of being an active and outspoken member of the Federal Government’s proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to eyewitness reports, Mr. Kingsley -Black horse who trades on Clothing- Boutique was among the blacklisted youths whose shops, and goods were razed down at the popular Eke-Ututu market in Orsu Local government area of Imo state by Nigerian troops in collaboration with Ebubeagu militia group on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
On that unforgettable day, a Joint Task Force Operation by Search And Flush (SAF), Ebubeagu militia among other security groups invaded the Eke Ututu market with combatant vans, armoured tankers, and military helicopters killing persons and destroying property as some who miraculously managed to escape are being hunted and feared dead on daily basis.
Confirmed reports from indigenes who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the IPOB loyalist is a peace-loving and committed business-minded fellow who is abhors the marginalisation of the Igbo race and as such hesitate to pretend little about it in any given argument hence the hunt and call for his head.
The indigene further noted that Mr. Kingsley has been doing business legitimately in the locality without traces of double standards or terrorism to be firecely hunted, adding that his only crime was enlightening people, neighbours around Eke Ututu market and environment; of their human rights in discussions and market meetings.
However, the attack on Eke-Ututu Market traders has caused an untold setback, hardship, bad image, and name for both the indigenes and residents of the vicinity as all are being branded not just IPOB members protesting for freedom and total end to marginazation of the South Easterners but widely seen, treated and killed in broad daylight as terrorists without fair hearing and human rights consideration.
Black Horse disclosing his full name as Kingsley Ugochukwu Esonwanne during an interface earlier with newsmen decried being harassed, trailed around town, and blackmailed daily on his harmless speeches and membership of IPOB, adding that he no longer goes about his legit business anymore, move around in peace or sleep and have his two eyes firmly closed as people who know him always sell off his locations.
It is quite disturbing that innocent shop owners who lost their means of livelihood out of unchecked are made to still be on the run for their peace of mind with threats to life and all that which has forced the victims to seek foreign assistance because the Nigerian government is hell bent on suppressing dissenting voices.
Some the affected vehicles
The foregoing is made worse when youths from Isiala Mbano, the Local government area of origin Mr. Kingsley Ugochukwu Esomwanne, and its environment are being attacked, harassed, beaten, humiliated, and detained, and in most cases killed for crimes they know nothing about thereby making the locality an unsafe haven for both indigent and non-indigent Imolites.
The same fate is not far noticed from the other Eastern states such as Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia state among others states where a day barely goes without disturbing news of gunmen, military, and Ebubeagu militia groups’ attacks on innocent citizens.
