Enforced Disappearances in Southeastern Nigeria: A Crisis Ignored by Politicians
In recent months, a grave human rights crisis has emerged in Southeastern Nigeria, characterized by the alarming number of enforced disappearances perpetrated by state actors under the pretext of addressing rising insecurity in the region. This issue, highlighted in a publication dated July 21, 2024, reveals a harrowing situation where hundreds of individuals, including elderly parents, brothers, and sisters, are being abducted by Nigerian security forces and vanish without a trace.
The situation is exacerbated by the constant distress calls received from the families of these victims, who are left in agonizing uncertainty about the status, whereabouts, or even the survival of their loved ones. The reasons for these arrests remain shrouded in mystery, adding to the suffering of the affected families. This disturbing trend has not elicited the necessary public outcry or condemnation, particularly from those in high political positions who are supposed to represent and protect the interests of their constituents.
As political campaigns for the 2027 elections loom, it is disheartening to observe that some officials appear more absorbed in their electoral ambitions than in addressing this human rights crisis. Their focus on securing their political positions stands in stark contrast to the urgency of addressing the enforced disappearances and the suffering they entail.
The international human rights organization Amnesty International has recently corroborated the concerns about these secret abductions and forced disappearances. This endorsement from a globally recognized body underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the need for immediate action. It is now crucial for political leaders at all levels to denounce the state actors responsible for these crimes against humanity and demand an end to these egregious violations of human rights.
Our discussions have revealed that security agents possess the capability to identify and apprehend actual threats. Yet, they continue to target seemingly innocent and harmless citizens, who are then transported to undisclosed locations. These individuals face the risk of being either killed or indefinitely detained without any trace, further deepening the crisis.
A particularly alarming case is the Wawa Military Barracks in Niger State, which currently holds a disturbingly high number of innocent Igbo individuals detained indefinitely. This situation highlights the systemic abuse of power and the urgent need for intervention.
In light of these developments, I am calling on the Governors of the southeastern states to take decisive action. It is imperative that they utilize the resources and machinery of their offices to confront and address this rising trend of enforced disappearances. The time for action is now; we cannot afford to wait any longer.
Signed,Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)August 22, 2024
Original article:
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES OF SOUTHEAST RESIDENTS - A HARROWING CRISIS OUR POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO WILLFULLY IGNORE, ESPECIALLY THOSE CURRENTLY CAMPAIGNING FOR ELECTIONS IN 2027: In a recent publication I made on July 21, 2024, I raised alarm over the shocking number of our people being abducted daily by state actors under the guise of combating rising insecurity in the southeast. Hundreds of our elderly parents, brothers, and sisters are regularly taken by Nigerian security forces, disappearing without a trace. Our concern deepens with the increasing number of distress calls we receive daily from the families of some of these victims of enforced disappearance. It is especially troubling that the relatives of these victims can no longer determine their status, whereabouts, or even whether they are still alive. The reason for their arrest remains unknown, further compounding the agony for their families. Unfortunately, this alarming trend has not been met with the deserving public outcry and condemnation, particularly from those who claim to represent us in high political offices. Instead, a fraction of these officials, seemingly absorbed by the privileges of their positions, are preoccupied with preparation for the 2027 election cycle. Now that Amnesty International has stepped in to corroborate our concerns about these secret abductions and forced disappearances, we call on our political leaders across all levels to denounce the state actors responsible for this crime against humanity and demand an end to these grave infractions. We have also suggested in our various discussions, that security agents have the capacity to identify their targets, and apprehend the actual threats, yet they continue to target ostensibly innocent and harmless citizens. These innocent individuals are then transported to unknown locations where they may be either killed or indefinitely detained without any trace. Wawa Military Barracks in Niger State, for instance, is currently holding an outrageously high number of innocent Igbos who have been detained indefinitely, with no hope of freedom in sight. I am urging the Governors of the southeast states to take immediate action and use the machinery of governments to address this rising trend. Enough is enough!!! Signed: Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC) August 22, 2024
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