The flogging of Imo Pensioners during their protest in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, has been condemned.
A watchdog group, the Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, in a statement signed by Fidelis Echendu, Publicity Secretary of the group, in Owerri, described the flogging of the pensioners by hoodlums, as despicable, which amounts to “crime against humanity”
The IAC called on the Imo State government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The alleged flogging of pensioners in Imo State during their peaceful protest is unacceptable.
“It is a crime against humanity. The Imo State government should not sweep this matter under the carpet.
“It should investigate these allegations immediately because such act is despicable, unheard of and potrays Imo State in bad light.
“Sweeping this matter under the carpet is a recipe for a repeat of such acts to occur in the future which will not augur well for the State.
“As enshrined in the Constitution of our country, all citizens are entitled to peaceful Assembly and gathering which is within the ambit of the law
“It is unthinkable that our pensioners, our aged fathers and mothers, who had put in their toil, for the growth and development of our dear State, could be subjected to such inhumane treatment such as resort to flogging them by hoodlums” the IAC stated.
The group called on Governor Hope Uzodinma to address the plight of the pensioners by ensuring payment of their outstanding pensions.
“If the pensioners get paid, there will be no need for them to be on the streets to protest.We appeal to the state government to conclude the verification process as soon as possible, and ensure prompt payment of our pensioners” the statement concluded
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