Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, appealed to captors of a female Igbo born military officer, Lieutenant P.P. Johnson, kidnapped in Abia State, to spare her life and release her in the spirit of Christmas, and for the fact that Igbo do not shed Igbo blood without consequences, PUNCH Metro reports.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, appealed to those holding the woman soldier hostage to consider releasing her immediately and unconditionally, given that she could, as well, be their younger sister.
The rights group stressed that whatever the grievances of the armed non-state actors are wouldn’t be settled by shedding innocent blood of Igbo people, who collectively are subjected to marginalisation in the political scheme of things.
It said: “We plead with abductors of the young woman soldier, who have shown her on a trending viral video, to free her immediately, and not harm her physically, emotionally or psychologically any further.”
“We appeal for mercy for her and any other Igbo citizen held in captivity. We ask you, in the name of God, to kindly release officer J.J. Johnson. Her enlistment in the military is in no way constituting any crime against any group.”