The House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police to probe the invasion of five communities in Ahiazu Local Government Area of Imo by law enforcement agents.

The lower chamber demanded the identities of perpetrators, the reason for the invasion and the number of lives and property destroyed as well as the offences committed by the communities.

This followed the adoption of an urgent motion of public importance by Emeka Chinedu (PDP-Imo) on the floor of the house.

The motion listed the five communities as Ihitteafoukwu, Umu Okirika, Oparanadim, Mpam, and Ogbor Umeze.

According to Mr Chinedu, the invasion commenced in the early hours of February 12, by armed men suspected to be law enforcement agents.

He said the action was contrary to the responsibility of law enforcement agencies “which is to maintain law and order and not embark on actions inimical to fundamental human rights of citizens.’’

He decried that Nigerians were tired of the high-handedness, unethical conduct and total disregard for rule of law and engagements of law enforcement agents.

Mr Chinedu said there was an inherent danger in the one-sided narrative as often packaged by law enforcement agents in such circumstances without thorough investigation “and this is unhealthy for democracy’’.

The house queried why communities that were not at war must be razed without taking into consideration the adverse effects of rendering the innocent homeless and depriving their loved ones of their breadwinners. 

(NAN)