The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an impartial panel of inquiry to investigate the circumstances behind the heinous attack on unarmed residents and the bombing of a community market in Orsu-Ihiteukwa.

The opposition party made the appeal in a release published by its Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor, on Wednesday, asking for an immediate investigation into the occurrence.

The party stated that no security agency has claimed responsibility for the attack, despite media reports and community sources suggesting that the operation was carried out by the military.

The PDP has strongly denounced the bombing of Orsu-Ihiteukwa in the Orsu Local Government Area of the state, which has razed the famed Eke Ututu market to ashes and claimed human lives.

“What is even more alarming is that certain reports have claimed that the barbarity was conducted by Ebubeagu, the marauding state-sanctioned paramilitary force,” according to the statement.

“Eke Ututu is the emblem of economic well-being for the inhabitants of Orsu-Ihiteukwa and even neighboring settlements, and it represents their hopes for a brighter tomorrow.” This source of income for thousands of people has now degraded into a mound of rubble.

“Yet, despite the tears, blood, and devastation that the occurrence has inflicted on this helpless community, it is striking that the shaky APC dictatorship in Imo State has not thought it necessary to explain to the people what occurred and why it happened.”

“This is a system that has long abandoned government’s basic job, which is the protection of lives and property.” The silence is therefore a tacit approval of the heinous conduct against the inhabitants of Orsu-Ihiteukwa.

“Our Party recalls that, in the past, Governor Uzodinma had shown a terrible and frightening inclination to incite violence in various regions of the State.” He also boasted publicly that full-fledged military operations in Imo State began at his invitation.

“The Imo PDP sympathizes with the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa over this heinous attack.” Given the difficulty that the demolition of the Eke Ututu market would cause, our Party further urges the Federal Government to act quickly to aid the rehabilitation of the demolished market and compensate the affected traders.

“Imo PDP, therefore, warns that given the proclivity that has been shown by those in power in the State to create havoc, no matter whose ox is gored, the lives and property of Imo people are now obviously in risk. They see the art of leadership as being equivalent to the art of battle.

“Our Party demands on President Mohammadu Buhari to quickly establish an impartial panel of investigation to understand the events that led to the heinous assault on unarmed residents and the bombing of the community market in Orsu-Ihiteukwa, and to bring those found accountable to court.”