Human Rights Violence: RULAAC advises FG to invite UN-SRES to visit South East region

Stanley Ihedigbo

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has advised the Nigerian government to acknowledge the severity of the situation in the South East by inviting the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions (EJK) to visit the region for an assessment of human rights violence in the region.

According to the report by Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) in partnership with Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), ‘Unveiling the roots of insecurity, healing the wounds of human rights violations in South East Nigeria: a path towards peace, open democratic space, and a prosperous future’; such a visit would serve to document the widespread human rights violence and initiate the process of international legal accountability for the perpetrators.

It stated that given the potential scale of crimes against humanity unfolding in the region, engaging with the UN on this level demonstrates a genuine commitment to exposing the truth and delivering justice to those affected.

“The human rights crisis in South East Nigeria demands immediate and decisive action. By implementing these recommendations, President Bola Tinubu’s administration can take a significant step towards restoring peace, justice, and accountability in the region. The southeastern Nigerian states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have long grappled with a complex web of factors that fuel insecurity and human rights concerns, mirroring challenges faced in the northeast. This vibrant region, home to over 22 million people and bustling commercial centres like the Ariaria and Ochanja markets, bears the scars of historical and contemporary issues.

“A potent cocktail of criminal policy, economic hardship, high unemployment, and easy access to weapons creates a fertile ground for criminal gangs, cults and occultism. This, coupled with strained relationships between police and communities and entrenched corruption, fosters an environment ripe for exploitation. The late 1990s saw violent crimes explode in major cities like Aba and Onitsha, disrupting daily life and crippling economic activity,” the report added.

It also stated that the once vibrant hubs of commerce, these two major commercial cities as well as surrounding towns and villages soon succumbed to a suffocating grip of armed robberies, kidnapping, and general lawlessness.

“Traders, the lifeblood of these markets, were driven away, leaving economic activity in paralysis. Overwhelmed and ill-equipped, the police proved ineffectual in stemming the depth of violence. In desperation, citizens turned to vigilante groups for protection. While these groups may have initially brought a semblance of order with their harsh methods, a dark twist soon emerged. Over time, the vigilantes adopted the same brutal tactics and disregard for due process they were meant to oppose.

In the aftermath, increased police presence and community-formed vigilantes attempted to fill the security vacuum. However, the emergence of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2012 and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) in 2020 added another layer of complexity.

“While proponents view the ESN as a response to armed herder threats, the Nigerian government sees it as a challenge to its authority, leading to military interventions and escalating tensions. Understanding the insecurity in the South East requires looking beyond simple narrative. It demands a nuanced examination of historical grievances, economic hardship, institutional weaknesses, and the interplay between state actors, armed groups, and communities,” it reported.

The report noted that before IPOB, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) held sway as the prominent pro-Biafra group, advocating for an independent state through non-violent methods.

“Yet, clashes with security forces, notably the Ezu River massacre, raised concerns about their operations. Internal conflicts and allegations of mismanagement further weakened MASSOB’s influence. Enter IPOB in 2012, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Radio Biafra, based in London, became their key tool, reaching disaffected youths across the South East and South. Kanu’s fiery rhetoric resonated with many who felt marginalised by the Nigerian government. These individuals, even young and unemployed, saw an independent Biafra as the path to achieving their aspirations. They viewed Kanu and IPOB as saviours, offering hope and a sense of belonging.

“While human rights groups like RULAAC observed largely peaceful IPOB gatherings, even minor confrontations with security forces escalated due to excessive force. Despite this repression, IPOB gained momentum, fuelled by Radio Biafra’s potentially inflammatory messages. Though IPOB protests remained mostly peaceful, the authorities started perceiving them as a threat, leading to a crackdown in September 2015. Kanu’s arrest in October 2015 further complicated the situation. Calls for his release intensified, accompanied by increased crackdowns and security force violence against IPOB. This tense phase reached a turning point with the form of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), IPOB’s armed wing, marking a potently from peaceful activisms to a more militant approach.

“This brief history lays the groundwork for understanding the complex narrative surrounding IPOB, their aspirations, and the evolving dynamics with the Nigerian government. The shadow of armed groups hangs heavy over South East Nigeria, their presence a key factor fuelling the region’s persistent violence. These groups, a diverse mix of those with political ambitions and purely criminal gangs, vie for territorial control and profit from illicit activities like drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and extortion. A 2009 report by the Anambra State branch of the Civil Liberties Organisations (CLO) identified over ten such groups operating within the state alone. While some reports suggested links between these groups and political figures, their primary impact was felt during Peter Obi’s tenure when they played a significant role in the region’s violent outbreaks. Even today, their presence continues to cast a long shadow, profoundly impacting the lives of ordinary civilians.

“In the troubled South East of Nigeria, where violence and insecurity hold sway, one factor looms large: the ready availability of small arms and light weapons (SALWs). According to the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM), a staggering 60% of the illegal weapons circulating in the region are domestically produced. This alarming stack paints a grim picture, where locally-made guns fuel communal conflicts, insurgencies, and organized crime. The consequences of this arms proliferation are multifaceted and devastating. From armed robberies and kidnappings to drug trafficking and human smuggling, easy access to SALWs empowers criminal networks and destabilizes communities. Communal clashes, even rooted in longstanding grievances, are amplified by the presence of readily available weapons, escalating into deadly feuds with tragic consequences. This not only undermines public safety but also hinders economic development, making it difficult for businesses to thrive and individuals to build secure lives.

The roots of this issue run deep, intertwined with the complex challenges of governance and responsible political leadership in the region. Weak institutions and corruption create an environment conducive to illicit arms production and trafficking. Failure to deliver good governance fuels grievances and fosters distrust in state authorities, leaving communities vulnerable to exploitation by armed groups. Breaking this cycle necessitates a multifaceted approach that tackles not only the immediate threat of armed violence but also addresses the underlying issues of poverty, inequality, and weak governance. Only then can the South East begin to heal the wounds of conflict and chart a path towards a more peaceful and prosperous future,” it further stated.

“Deep within the history of South-East Nigeria lies the roots of vigilante groups, born from communities seeking self-protection. While these early forms served a necessary purpose, a surge in violent crime, coupled with widespread distrust in the police due to inefficiency and corruption, has brought forth a new breed of vigilantes. Groups like the Bakassi Boys and Ebubeagu embody these, operating in a complex landscape fuelled by high unemployment, strained police-community relationships, and a general lack of faith in state institutions.

“Economic hardship pushes individuals towards the promise of stability and income offered by these organisations. Meanwhile, a history of police negligence and corruption erodes trust, leaving communities vulnerable and seeking alternative security measures. This vulnerability is further exploited by influential figures who manipulate vigilante groups as “private armies,” wielding them to intimidate and consolidate political power,” it stressed.