A two-day South-East Stakeholders’ Summit held in Enugu has called for the immediate release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and the establishment of a human rights bureau to address rising security challenges and human rights violations in the region.
The summit, which focused on peace, security, and human rights, was co-organized by the Nigerian Bar Association, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, and civil society organizations in the South-East. Participants examined the root causes of insecurity and proposed strategies for long-term solutions.
During the event, the Police Service Commission acknowledged widespread human rights violations by security operatives in the South-East. The commission’s chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General Hashimu Argungu, stated that security checkpoints had turned into toll gates where officers extort road users at gunpoint.
“The Eastern region has become the unofficial headquarters of human rights violations. This is a disturbing but avoidable situation,” Argungu said. He commended the Nigerian Bar Association for its role in upholding democracy and protecting citizens’ rights.
In his keynote address, Chidi Odinkalu, a Professor of Practice at the Fletcher School of Law, emphasized that insecurity in the South-East predates IPOB. He urged leaders to focus on governance, accountability, and collaborative efforts to restore peace.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC, stressed the need for collective action, acknowledging Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts in combating insecurity.
Major General OT Olatoye, General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander of Operation Udoka, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to human rights. Represented by Brigadier General BS Buhari, he stated that a dedicated call line had been set up for reporting human rights abuses.
“Human rights abuses are not one-sided. Security agencies are also victims, and we must recognize the sacrifices of personnel who risk their lives daily,” Buhari added.
At the end of the summit, a communique was issued with key recommendations, including the establishment of a Bureau of Missing Persons in all South-East states and nationwide. The bureau would serve as a central database for tracking missing persons and supporting affected families.
Other recommendations included setting up a human rights bureau, strengthening arms control, enhancing border security, and implementing community policing to improve trust between security agencies and local communities.
Stakeholders also urged the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that it would help de-escalate tensions and facilitate a political resolution to separatist issues in the South-East.
