…Thousands Detained, Tortured, and Displaced

By Jeff Agbodo

ABAKALIKI — The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), a human rights organization, has alleged that 32,300 unarmed civilians in the South East were killed by security operatives between August 2015 and December 2024.

In a press briefing titled “Ocean of Innocent Blood Flowing in Eastern Nigeria,” the Chairman of Intersociety, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, accused the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and paramilitary forces of perpetrating the killings under the guise of combating IPOB/ESN and Biafra-related activities.

The group claimed that 22,500 civilians were secretly massacred, while 9,800 others were openly killed during the nine-year period. It further alleged that tens of thousands were unlawfully detained, tortured, and transferred to secret locations across seven northern states, including Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

“Thousands of victims were detained at night, blindfolded, or face-bagged and dumped in military facilities or prisons, including the WAWA Army Cantonment in Niger State, where dozens reportedly died weekly in custody,” Umeagbalasi stated.

Intersociety also detailed the destruction of over 300 Igbo communities, with 6,000 homes razed, leaving 180,000 people displaced and over one million forced to flee their homes.

The group estimated the financial toll at N450 billion in lost properties and N3 trillion in funds allegedly extorted at roadblocks and checkpoints. It also alleged that security forces facilitated the proliferation of 2.7 million small arms and light weapons, including 400,000 firearms reportedly in the hands of Fulani jihadists occupying 1,000 secret locations across the South East.

The organization further highlighted the role of both government-linked and non-government-linked armed groups, including criminal vigilantes, “unknown gunmen,” and counterfeit Biafra agitators, in exacerbating insecurity.

“These entities killed over 14,500 defenseless citizens, abducted 65,000 people, and extorted N550 billion in ransoms, with 6,500 abductees killed for failing to pay,” Umeagbalasi claimed.

Intersociety called on the government and international bodies to investigate these allegations and hold those responsible accountable. The organization also urged an end to what it described as “state-sanctioned violence and impunity” in the region.

As of now, there has been no official response from the security agencies accused in the report.