CSOs petition NHRC, demand probe of insecurity in South East

• Published On: 20 June 2024 at 13:33

The National Human Rights Commission has received a petition from a coalition of civil society organisations requesting a prompt and comprehensive investigation into the increasing levels of insecurity and systematic breaches of human rights in Southeast Nigeria.

The groups noted the regularity of organised attacks, killings, extortion, sexual violence, and property destruction in the region in a co-signed petition on Thursday. They also urged the NHRC to use all of its resources, including the appointment of a Special Investigation to look into these incidents.

They criticised the FG for taking a one-dimensional approach to the growing unrest in the southeast and for using military force instead of engaging in peaceful negotiations with the agitators. They pointed out that this approach simply served to deepen the cycle of violence by increasing unrest.

We call on the National Human Rights Commission to look into the state of human rights in the Southeast, including the ongoing killings and destruction of private and public property, in light of the growing and more systematic abuse of human rights in the region, the breaking of well-established legal norms, and the failure of human rights duty bearers.


"We are concerned about the oppressive climate of fear, impunity, and siege that has been partially created by the federal government's singular narrative, which virtually entirely attributes insecurity in the Southeast to the actions of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

"This one story demonstrates why the federal government disregards the necessity for a comprehensive and multifaceted solution as well as other causes and aspects of insecurity.

It also explains why the federal government responds to insecurity by using force alone, ignoring community involvement and communication, and failing to address the socioeconomic and political factors that are the primary causes of crime and insecurity. The petition stated, "This approach has resulted in gross human rights violations, fueled the cycle of violence, and increased insecurity."


The petitioners also cited instances of abuse by state and non-state actors, such as the invasion of the Igga Community in Enugu state, which claimed the life of resident Richard Okoye, 70, and the murder of five people in the Nimbo community in Enugu state by suspected herdsmen.

The sacking of communities in the Orsu local government area of Imo State; the killing of individuals resulting from disputes between the Ezza-Effium and Ezza-Ezeilo communities in Ebonyi State; and the intimidation and extortion of locals at the Checkpoint in the southeast are a few more examples.

The coalition expressed confidence that an inquiry into the incidents would pinpoint the victims, offenders, and underlying reasons of the violence, and that it would also suggest actions to guarantee restitution and justice.

Additionally, they demanded that the NHRC punish the federal, state, local, and security agencies responsible for their inability to uphold human rights in the Southeast.

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, the Initiative for Public Safety, Security, and Educational Development in Nigeria, and the Vivacious Development Initiative were among the organisations that signed the petition.