By Vincent Ujumadu

AWKA — The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for an urgent, independent and transparent investigation into the disappearance of Mr. Ekenne Valentine, a member of the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG), who was reported missing during a security operation in August 2024.

The Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the prolonged uncertainty over Valentine’s whereabouts raises concerns about accountability in security operations involving state-backed vigilante organisations.

According to Nwanguma, the missing operative’s father, Chief Benjamin Nwosuagwu, has made several complaints to the leadership of the Anambra State Vigilante Group, the Anambra State Police Command and the National Human Rights Commission but has yet to receive information on his son’s whereabouts or the outcome of any investigation.

Valentine, who served with the Ukpor Unit of the Anambra State Vigilante Group in Nnewi South Local Government Area for about three years, was last contacted on August 9, 2024.

According to RULAAC, his family was informed three days later that he had not returned from a security operation, although other members of the team reportedly returned safely.

The organisation said Nwosuagwu subsequently travelled several times from Imo State to Anambra in search of his son, visiting vigilante offices in Onitsha, Awka and Ukpor without success.

It added that although the matter was later reported to the Anambra State Police Command, the family has not been informed of the outcome of any investigation.

“No family should be left to endure prolonged uncertainty over the disappearance of a loved one without answers from those responsible for his deployment and safety,” Nwanguma said.

He added that the disappearance of a person during an official security operation places a responsibility on the relevant authorities to establish the facts, determine the person’s whereabouts and keep the family informed.

According to him, the continued uncertainty surrounding the case raises questions about operational accountability, command responsibility and the effectiveness of the investigation conducted so far.

Nwanguma called for the investigation to be supervised by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) or another appropriate investigative body to ensure transparency and public confidence.

He stressed that establishing the facts surrounding the disappearance would be important for the family and for public trust in security institutions.

As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Vigilante Group and the Anambra State Police Command had not issued any public response to RULAAC’s call for further investigation.