“Intersociety Accuses Security Agencies of Killing 180 People, Extorting N21 Billion in South-East”

The civil rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has accused security agencies and non-state actors of committing grave human rights violations in the South-East region, including the deaths of at least 180 people and the extortion of over N21 billion within December 2024 and January 2025.

In a statement released on Thursday, the group highlighted a series of killings, abductions, and disappearances that occurred during the Christmas and New Year period, allegedly orchestrated by both security forces and criminal groups. According to Intersociety, these acts were primarily aimed at seizing vast sums of money from the people of the region.

The report, which was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chair of Intersociety, Chinwe Umeche, Head of the Democracy and Good Governance Program, and other key officials, claimed that police and military personnel were responsible for the largest share of the extortion, with the police allegedly pocketing N15 billion and the military N6.8 billion in just two months through roadblocks and checkpoint extortions.

The statement detailed that the most notorious locations for these extortions were the Uga Junction and Atani Road Naval checkpoints, where it was claimed that up to N600 million was seized over the two-month period. These extortions allegedly occurred at gunpoint, with both the military and police demanding money from travelers, particularly during the holiday season when people were returning home or traveling for festive events.

Intersociety also accused kidnappers of seizing an estimated N600 million from victims between December 28, 2024, and January 18, 2025, with a total of N1.2 billion believed to have been extorted from the public over the two months.

Furthermore, the report alleges that 180 individuals lost their lives during this period. Of these, 140 were reportedly killed by armed non-state actors, while the remaining 40 deaths were attributed to killings by the police, military, and other groups operating outside the law.

The civil rights group’s investigation also revealed a widespread pattern of extortion by security personnel, with over 800 military roadblocks and patrol teams across the South-East. According to the report, each military roadblock illicitly pocketed an average of N100,000 daily, contributing to a staggering N4.8 billion extorted by military personnel alone over the two months. Similarly, the police, managing approximately 2,500 roadblocks and patrol teams, reportedly extorted N15 billion from road users during the same period.

The breakdown of these extortions varied by state. Imo State, with the highest number of police roadblocks, was responsible for N2.94 billion in extortion over the two months, while Anambra, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi states also saw significant amounts seized by corrupt police officers.

In addition to the financial toll, the report emphasized the human cost, citing that kidnappers held at least 200 individuals, with some facing permanent disappearance. Intersociety criticized both the police and the military for their failure to take action against these illicit activities, urging them to be held accountable for the widespread corruption and violence.

The organization also pointed out that such extortions and violence are in violation of the Armed Forces Act of 2004, which prescribes a 14-year jail sentence for military personnel involved in extortion. Despite these legal provisions, Intersociety argues that the practice continues unchecked, further undermining public trust in security agencies.

While the police and military have yet to respond to these allegations, Intersociety’s report has sparked widespread concern over the state of security and governance in the South-East. The group called for greater oversight and accountability from both the government and security agencies to curb the extortion and violence, urging the public to demand justice for the victims and an end to these unlawful practices.

This is not the first time Intersociety has raised such allegations against security forces. The group has long criticized the role of police and military personnel in perpetrating human rights abuses in the region.