The petition highlights frequent incidents of organised attacks, killings, extortion, sexual violence, and destruction of properties, which they argue reflect a systematic pattern of abuse.
A coalition of civil society organisations and concerned citizens in the Southeast region of Nigeria has filed a formal petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), requesting an investigation into a series of grave human rights violations in the region.
The petition highlights frequent incidents of organised attacks, killings, extortion, sexual violence, and destruction of properties, which they argue reflect a systematic pattern of abuse.
"We are deeply troubled by the oppressive atmosphere of siege, impunity, and fear in the Southeast," the petition states. The signatories express particular concern over the federal government’s focus on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the primary source of insecurity in the region.
This narrow approach, they argue, has led to the government's overreliance on force, neglecting community engagement and dialogue.
The petition dated June 19, 2024 points to several specific incidents to illustrate the severity and scope of the human rights abuses.
The statement said on May 4, 2023, security forces allegedly invaded Igga community in Enugu State, resulting in the indiscriminate shooting and killing of residents and the burning of houses. A resident, Richard Okoye, aged 70, was among those who died, the coalition said.
According to the statement, the police claimed the operation was in response to the murder of police operatives by local criminals but did not address the allegations of excessive force and destruction.
Regarding killings in Nimbo community, the coalition said on April 28, 2024, armed herdsmen allegedly attacked Nimbo community, also in Enugu State, killing at least five people, including a two-year-old child.
It said, “This would not be the first time that innocent and helpless members of the Nimbo community would be attacked by armed men suspected to be herdsmen. In 2016, the community was attacked in like manner, leaving many people dead and the entire community almost in ruins.”
Regarding Ezza-Effium and Ezza-Ezeilo conflicts, it said that persistent conflicts between the communities in Ebonyi State had led to numerous massacres. The petitioners argue that the state government’s vested interests compromise its ability to impartially resolve the conflicts, necessitating an independent investigation by the NHRC.
It said in Imo State, many communities have been abandoned due to violence between armed groups and government-backed informal security agencies. Residents report widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions and sexual violence, with both sides accusing each other of atrocities, the statement added.
As regards checkpoint extortion and harassment, the coalition said road users in the Southeast frequently face humiliation, intimidation, and extortion at numerous security checkpoints. The petitioners describe how soldiers and police officers force commuters to disembark and walk past checkpoints with their hands raised, often demanding bribes.
They also lamented killings by non-state actors, saying the activities of cult groups have also contributed to the insecurity, with 34 people reportedly killed in Awka and its environs due to cult-related violence from Easter Sunday to May 6, 2024.
The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation by the NHRC to identify the root causes of the violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and recommend measures to protect human rights. It emphasises the need for a multidimensional approach to security that addresses socio-economic and political factors.
"We strongly assert that these cases grossly violate several articles of domestic and international human rights frameworks," the petitioners declare, citing violations of the right to life, freedom from torture, and the right to personal security, among others.
The signatories include representatives from the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Initiative for Public Safety, Security and Educational Development in Nigeria (IPSSED Network), Vivacious Development Initiative (VIDI), and other organisations.
Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y