- The organization highlighted several cases of individuals arrested by the Nigerian military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS)
Amnesty International has expressed concern over what it describes as a pattern of systematic enforced disappearances by Nigerian security agencies in Southeast Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Monday, the global human rights organization alleged that security forces are using accusations of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) membership as a pretext to detain individuals in secret, bypassing due process and transparency.
The organization highlighted several cases of individuals arrested by the Nigerian military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) from as early as 2012, with disappearances continuing between 2018 and August 2024.
Amnesty International criticized the repeated denials by these agencies, noting that the lack of accountability has left families in anguish, uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.
“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,” the statement read.
Some of the individuals named include:
Sunday Nwafor, a 47-year-old businessman last seen on February 27, 2020, after being arrested by army officials from the 140 Brigade in Ohafia, Abia State.
Obioma Okoroafor (40 years), Ozoemela Nwaokorie (34 years), and Ogechi Ifere Matins, who were arrested on October 27, 2020, by Nigerian Army personnel in Oyigbo, Rivers State, during the #EndSARS protests.
Iloanya Chijioke (20 years), detained at SARS Awkuzu in Anambra State and missing since November 2012.
Additional cases include Maduabuchi Obinwa (22 years), who disappeared after being abducted by agents from Awkuzu’s State Criminal Investigation Department on April 24, 2022, and Obiora Agbasimalo, a governorship candidate abducted by gunmen on September 18, 2021, during a campaign in Azia town, Anambra State.
The organization also mentioned Sunday and Calista Ifedi, a couple taken from their home in Enugu on November 23, 2021, over alleged IPOB membership.
Amnesty International emphasized that the fates of these individuals remain unknown, heightening fears of extrajudicial practices.
The statement has renewed calls for accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s handling of dissent and regional security issues.
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