Amnesty International Warns Of Rising Enforced Disappearances By Security Forces In Southeast Nigeria
Amnesty International has expressed concern over the alleged systematic enforced disappearance of individuals arrested by Nigerian security agencies in Southeast Nigeria.
On Monday, the organization issued a statement alleging that security forces are using accusations of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) membership as a pretext to detain individuals in secret, without due process or transparency.
The global human rights organisation listed several individuals arrested by the Nigerian military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) as far back as 2012 and between 2018 and August 2024, who have since gone missing.
The organisation criticised the security agencies’ denial of involvement, stating that it has caused immense suffering for the families and loved ones of the missing individuals.
It said, “In southeast Nigeria, many people were arrested by state agents, without any trace of their whereabouts, and the state denies knowledge of where they are, putting their families through endless anguish:
“Sunday Nwafor, a 47-year-old businessman was last seen on 27 February 2020 after his arrest by army officials from 140 Brigade Ohafia, Abia State.
“Obioma Okoroafor (40 years) Ozoemela Nwaokorie (34 years) and Ogechi Ifere Matins were arrested on 27 October 2020 by men of the Nigerian Army at Oyigbo, Rivers State during the #EndSARS protests.
“Dozens of young men detained at SARS Awkuzu #Anambra state have disappeared. Nothing was heard about their whereabouts. Iloanya Chijioke 20–years old is one of them. He was last seen in November 2012.”
It also added, “Maduabuchi Obinwa, aged 22, disappeared after his abduction on 24 April 2022, when security agents from the Awkuzu State Criminal Investigation Department raided his house in Ekwulobia, Anambra state.
“Obiora Agbasimalo, a governorship candidate, was abducted by gunmen on 18 September 2021 while going to an election campaign outing in Azia town, Anambra state.
“Sunday Ifedi and Calista Ifedi, a couple, were taken by security operatives from their home in Enugu on 23 November 2021, because of their alleged membership of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
“The fates and whereabouts of all these people remained unknown at the end of the year.”
Attempts by SaharaReporters to reach the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to a text message inquiry.
Similarly, efforts to contact the Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, were also unsuccessful, as he did not take calls or respond to a text message seeking his reaction to the allegations.
