By Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha
A Social Critic and Human Rights Activist, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, has commenced a 14-day self-imposed hunger strike in Onitsha, Anambra State, in protest against the abduction of teachers, students, and pupils from a school in Oyo State.
Ezekwueme, who is Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled “Activist commences 14-day hunger strike over abduction of teachers, pupils and students in Oyo state.”
He said the action was taken in solidarity with the victims and their families, who he described as going through “excruciating suffering, agony and pains,” while also calling attention to the urgent need for their unconditional release.
According to him, the hunger strike is also intended to draw the attention of abductors, as well as government authorities and security agencies, to intensify efforts toward securing the safe return of the victims.
He made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to uphold the sanctity of human life and urged perpetrators of such crimes to repent and abandon violence.
“I most passionately appeal to perpetrators of this dastardly act to repent and renounce such heinous crimes,” he said, adding that all tiers of government must strengthen the country’s security architecture.
Ezekwueme recalled that this was not his first time embarking on such protest actions, noting that he had previously undertaken similar hunger strikes during the annulment of the June 12 election, as well as the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls’ abductions.
The CLO also called on the Federal Government, Oyo and Kwara State Governments, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to prioritize the rescue of the abducted victims and restore public confidence in school safety across the country.
He further urged authorities at all levels to beef up security in schools nationwide to prevent future incidents.
