CLO WANTS INVESTIGATIONS INTO ALLEGED POLITICAL KILLINGS IN YOBE

The Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, has called for investigations into alleged politically motivated killings and other criminal activities in Yobe State ahead of the April elections.

The body in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, made available to journalists in Jos on Wednesday, said the reported killing of two persons, injuring of several others and damage to property and other politically-motivated violence in the state was a cause for concern.

'The various acts of violence occurred between January 9 and 10, 2011, the period around which the state congress of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, took place in Damaturu. Indeed from our reports, the violent acts involved supporters of different persons within the PDP', the letter said.

The letter signed by CLO President, Titus Mann and dated February 20,listed those believed to have been killed or injured and the cars and other property damaged in the violence  describing what it called the degenerating security situation in the state as disturbing.

According to the letter, 'when such mayhem happens at a party primary, it is frightful to imagine what might happen when the different political parties contest against each other in the April 2011 general elections.

With the menace of Boko Haram yet to be stemmed in the North East, we fear that these instances of political violence to which we hereby draw your attention if left unchecked will seriously undermine not only the said elections, but the peace and security of Yobe State.'