Igbo clerics, monarchs and elders under the aegis of South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on peace and conflict resolution, on Monday, decried that Imo State has become a war zone due to the continued space of violence and killings largely caused by selfish political leaders in the state.
The group particularly condemned the invasion of the place of worship by policemen on 26 December 2021, adding that it exposed the long-running troubling state of affairs in the State.
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It said this violence has led to the loss of many lives, hundreds of millions of Naira of property, a deterioration of the environment for business and a debilitating poisoning of public culture and trust.
In a statement jointly signed by the Obi Of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and Archbishop Chibuzo Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, the group declared that the tensions, violence and failing law and order situation fuelled by selfish politicians in the state is unacceptable and must be brought to an end.
The group, therefore, called on all the political leaders in contestations and their followers to cease and desist from all actions that will escalate or compound the situation on the ground in the State.
The group also proposed urgent meetings with the governor, the past governors, the former governorship candidates, and elders of the State to proffer a solution to the problem.
Imo State has been in the news for the wrong reasons in the past months.
Apart from the general killings, there have also been attacks and abductions of traditional rulers in the state.
No fewer than five traditional rulers have been killed while several others have been abducted in recent times.
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