AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR END TO IMPUNITY, UNLAWFUL ABDUCTIONS, DETENTION, KILLINGS IN SOUTH-EAST

Amnesty International has called on governments, security agencies and other stakeholders to take urgent steps to end alleged unlawful abductions, arbitrary detention, torture and killings by security operatives in the South-East.

The call was made in Umuahia, Abia State, during the re-launch of Amnesty International Nigeria’s human rights reports, including “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South-East Nigeria” and “Tiger Base of Atrocities: Human Rights Violations by Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Owerri.”

In her opening remarks, Benedicta Ofili, Finance and Office Manager at Amnesty International Nigeria, welcomed government representatives, civil society organisations, lawyers, activists, security officials and community leaders to the event.

Ofili said Amnesty International, as an independent global human rights movement, is committed to research, advocacy and mobilisation aimed at documenting human rights abuses, protecting human dignity and ensuring accountability.

She said the organisation’s report documented at least 1,844 deaths between 2021 and mid-2023 amid violence involving non-state armed groups, state-backed outfits and security operations across the South-East.

She also highlighted allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, extortion and deaths in custody, particularly involving the Anti-Kidnapping Unit popularly known as Tiger Base.

According to her, insecurity has also had significant socio-economic consequences, including displacement, disruption of education, loss of livelihoods and restrictions on freedom of movement arising from sit-at-home orders.

Ofili called for independent investigations into alleged human rights violations, prosecution of suspected perpetrators, reparations for victims and their families, and stronger accountability by state and federal authorities.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abia State, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, represented by Barr. Chinenye Onyemanonu, said the Abia State Government has zero tolerance for human rights violations and abuses.

One of the victims abducted by security personnel

He explained that although the Ministry of Justice cannot direct the police on how to carry out their duties, the government has established mechanisms to monitor and address cases of alleged human rights violations.

According to him, complaints referred to the Office of the Attorney General are forwarded to the Citizens’ Rights Department for investigation and appropriate action.

He cited a recent case involving a family whose members were allegedly detained for more than six months, resulting in one of the daughters losing an academic year. He said the Ministry intervened by engaging the affected persons and making recommendations for appropriate action.

Barr. Uwanna urged stakeholders to sustain collaboration in the protection of human rights and commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti for what he described as significant reforms in the justice sector.

During the presentation of “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South-East Nigeria,” Amnesty International examined alleged human rights abuses involving the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and Ebubeagu security personnel between 2016 and 2024, with particular focus on incidents recorded from 2021 to 2024.

The organisation said it had documented more than 1,800 deaths across the region, as well as cases of people allegedly abducted or forcibly disappeared after being accused of links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The report also highlighted the impact of insecurity on livelihoods, education and freedom of movement, particularly in Abia and other parts of the South-East.

Amnesty International further raised concerns over alleged abuses at the Tiger Base/Tiger Gate detention facility in Imo State, where some persons arrested in Abia were reportedly transferred.

The organisation said it interviewed 23 former detainees, including 14 women, and documented allegations of torture, poor detention conditions and deaths in custody. It said three of those interviewed reportedly died following their detention.

Amnesty International called for investigations into the alleged abuses, improved detention conditions and accountability for anyone found responsible.

Some relatives of persons allegedly abducted by security operatives also shared emotional accounts of their loved ones’ arrests and prolonged disappearance.

Miriam Onyema, in tears, recalled how her husband, Kingsley Chinedu, was allegedly arrested on April 25, 2021, at Hospital Junction in Imo State. She said repeated efforts to locate him or secure his release proved unsuccessful after he was allegedly labelled an IPOB member.

Esther Chinedu said her husband, Pastor Godspower Chinedu, was arrested in 2022 and that the family had not seen him since. She said several attempts to locate him at police detention facilities had been unsuccessful.

Caroline Chukwuma also narrated how her husband, Chukwuma Nwokike, was allegedly abducted in 2021 at St. Paul Junction, Aba, and detained at the CPS Aba. She said she and her lawyers were denied access to him and were later informed that he had been transferred to a detention facility in Abuja.

Chinwendu Chidiebere said her husband, Chidiebere Ekwe, was arrested at his workshop in Aba on June 22, 2021, and taken to CPS Aba, where the family was allegedly denied access to him.

An elderly man, Nicolas Ejekwu, tearfully recounted the arrest of his two sons, Obinna and Onyebuchi, by soldiers at his home. He said he later received information that they had allegedly been tortured and killed and that their bodies were taken to the Federal Medical Centre mortuary, Umuahia.

He also revealed that more than 50 bodies of youths allegedly killed by security agencies on suspicion of being members of IPOB were found at the mortuary.

Cecilia Nmaoche also said her son, Christian Ifeanyi, was allegedly abducted by security operatives in 2022 and had not been seen or heard from since.

The relatives appealed to Amnesty International and the government to help locate their loved ones and ensure that anyone arrested is either released or brought before a competent court rather than being held for years without trial.

A human rights activist, Samuel Agwu, who spoke on behalf of more than 30 persons allegedly subjected to unlawful detention, called on Amnesty International Nigeria and other human rights organisations to intensify efforts to address alleged human rights violations in the South-East.

Agwu said he had facilitated the release of several persons allegedly detained on suspicion of being members of IPOB.

He alleged that many people arrested by security agencies in the region had been labelled IPOB members without sufficient evidence, with some reportedly held in police and military detention facilities for prolonged periods.

He expressed concern over allegations of torture and other forms of inhumane treatment, as well as cases of people who allegedly disappeared after being taken into custody.

Agwu urged human rights organisations to go beyond documenting cases and ensure that victims and their families have access to justice, legal representation and appropriate remedies.

He also called on South-East governors, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to work together to address what he described as a culture of impunity allegedly perpetrated by some security personnel in the region.

“We cannot continue to remain silent when people are arrested, detained and allegedly tortured simply because they are suspected of having links with a particular group. Every person has the right to due process, fair hearing and humane treatment, regardless of the allegations against them,” Agwu said.

Amnesty International therefore urged relevant stakeholders and government authorities to take concrete steps to end unlawful abductions, arbitrary detention and killings allegedly carried out by security operatives in the South-East.