Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged Police and sister agencies to secure the unconditional release of the seven Ebonyi children abducted by suspected hoodlums at the Enyigba community.
The children were abducted from their respective homes at Enyigba community in Abakaliki Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi by unknown persons, following alleged renewed conflict over a land dispute with Enyibichiri community in Ikwo LGA.
A statement signed by Mr. Jeremiah Oyibe, State Secretary of CDHR, on Tuesday in Abakaliki, urged the police to ensure the safe and unconditional release of the seven abductees.
The CDHR added that the police and the state government should ensure the arrest and trial of those involved in the criminal abduction of innocent children.
The group expressed displeasure that children had become the target of attacks in armed conflicts and extreme violence.
It said that abduction of children in armed conflicts for whatever reason was not only condemnable and disturbing but heartbreaking.
“Ensuring accountability for such crimes along with crimes against humanity and genocides is an essential part of upholding responsibility to protection as well as establishing a basis for sustainable peace and reconciliation.
“Not bringing perpetrators to book is tantamount to evading accountability and such impunity not only denies victims justice and reparations, it equally produces an environment conducive for continuous perpetration of such crimes,” the group said.
Newsmen recall that the Ebonyi government in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi chapter, had waded into the boundary dispute involving the two sister communities and settled the dispute.
Media report that the state government and CAN brokered peace agreement was signed by the two communities and the boundaries clearly demarcated.
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CDHR, however, expressed sadness that the recent crisis that led to the abduction of the seven children whom their mothers left at home when they went to the market to buy foodstuff.
“We, therefore, wish to urge the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Government, Ebonyi government to, as matter of urgency, facilitate the safe return of the abducted children from Enyigba community,” the CDHR added.
Media recalls that Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi at a recently expanded stakeholders security meeting in Abakaliki promised to ensure that all the abducted children were released unhurt and reunited with their families.
