Amnesty Int Raises Alarm Over Enforced Disappearances in Southeast Nigeria

Amnesty International has raised concerns over the increasing number of enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by security forces in Southeast Nigeria. The global human rights organization issued a statement on Monday accusing Nigerian security agencies of systematically arresting individuals under the guise of suspected membership in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and detaining them without due process or transparency.

The statement highlighted numerous cases of individuals who were arrested by the Nigerian military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) between 2012 and August 2024, and have since gone missing. Amnesty International criticized the security agencies’ denials of involvement, noting that these denials have caused significant suffering for the families and loved ones of the missing persons.

“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 organization stated.

Among the cases cited were Sunday Nwafor, a 47-year-old businessman last seen on February 27, 2020, following his arrest by army officials in Abia State, and Obioma Okoroafor, Ozoemela Nwaokorie, and Ogechi Ifere Matins, who were arrested by the Nigerian Army on October 27, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests in Rivers State. The fate of these individuals, along with many others, remains unknown.

The statement also mentioned the disappearance of Obiora Agbasimalo, a governorship candidate abducted by gunmen on September 18, 2021, in Anambra State, as well as a couple, Sunday and Calista Ifedi, who were taken by security operatives in Enugu on November 23, 2021, due to their alleged IPOB membership.

Amnesty International’s report underscores the persistent issue of enforced disappearances in Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast, where security agencies have been accused of operating with impunity. The organization calls for greater accountability and transparency from Nigerian authorities to address these serious human rights violations.

Efforts by media outlets to obtain comments from the Nigerian Army and Police Force regarding these allegations were unsuccessful. Both the Director of Army Public Relations and the Police Force Public Relations Officer did not respond to inquiries.