A two-day South-East Stakeholders’ Summit held in Enugu, Nigeria, has called for the immediate release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the establishment of a human rights bureau to address escalating security challenges and human rights violations in the South-East region.
The South-East Stakeholders’ Summit on Peace and Security and Public Hearing on Human Rights Violations, co-organized by the Nigerian Bar Association, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, and South-East-based civil society organisations, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the root causes of insecurity and human rights abuses in the region.
The summit, held between February 21 and 22, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to address security challenges and human rights violations in Nigeria, urging authorities to adopt long-term strategies that transcend political transitions.
During the summit, the Nigerian Police Service Commission admitted that there have been several series of cases of serious human rights violations in the South-East region of the country by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Chairman of the commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), who made the admission in his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the summit held at Hotel Sunshine, Enugu, explained that the commission was fully aware that the roadblocks mounted by security agencies have unfortunately turned South-East into toll gates, where road users are forced at gunpoint to part with money.
Argungu said, “The Eastern region has of late become the hotbed of insecurity in the country and the unofficial headquarters of human rights violations. This is a disturbing but avoidable situation and I sincerely commend the organisers of the programme – for bringing the searchlight on this topical national issue.
“I have always identified with the Nigerian Bar Association, not just because I am a lawyer, but because I believe the association has a bigger role to play in the sustenance of the nation’s nascent democracy and the protection of the inalienable human and fundamental rights of the citizens.
“We are no more comfortable with the abuse of office by some security personnel detailed to provide security across this region.”
In his keynote address, Chidi Odinkalu, a Professor of Practice at the Fletcher School of Law, highlighted the multidimensional nature of the crisis, the importance of governance and accountability, and strategies for sustainable peace.
In a comprehensive paper titled ‘Fostering Lasting Peace and Security: Collaborative Approaches to Address Insecurity and Human Rights Violations in South-East Nigeria,’ Odinkalu, maintained that insecurity in the South-East was not orchestrated by the advent of IPOB and provided contextures in the security situation in the region.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of RULAAC,
Okechukwu Nwanguma emphasized the need for collective action to address the region’s insecurity and human rights issues.
He commended the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah’s efforts to combat insecurity, which have yielded positive results.
In his goodwill message, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDOKA, Major General OT Olatoye reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding human rights and promoting peace and security in the South-East region.
Represented by Brigadier-General BS Buhari, the GOC said, “The Nigerian Army maintains zero-tolerance for violations of fundamental human rights by its personnel.”
He emphasised that the army ensures its personnel are adequately trained on respecting human rights, and that a dedicated call line has been established for reporting alleged human rights abuses.
General Buhari commended the NBA for its foresight in organising the summit and urged participants to approach discussions with an open mind and a shared commitment to providing practical solutions.
General Buhari noted that human rights abuses are not a one-way traffic and that the security agencies, often considered villains, are also victims of human rights abuses.
He encouraged participants to remember the sacrifices of security personnel who sometimes pay the ultimate price for their service.
However, in a communique issued at the end of the summit on Monday, stakeholders outlined several key recommendations, including the establishment of a Bureau of Missing Persons in the five South-East states in particular and all 36 states of Nigeria in general.
The communiqué jointly signed by RULAAC’s Nwanguma for CSOs and Sabastine Anyia Esq., 1st Vice President and Chairman of the Human Rights Institute of the NBA for the NBA, noted that the bureau is expected to serve as a central database for reporting and tracking missing persons cases, providing support to families of missing persons, and facilitating investigations and rescue efforts.
The stakeholders averred that the establishment of the bureau has become necessary due to the increasing cases of missing persons in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East region.
Other key recommendations are the “establishment of a human rights bureau that promotes and protects human rights in the region; the release of Kanu, which will help de-escalate tensions and promote a political resolution to the issues surrounding separatism in the South-East and strengthening arms control measures to curb the illegal flow of weapons into the South-East.
Others are “enhancing border security to prevent the proliferation of arms and restrict access by criminal elements, and implementing community policing strategies to improve trust between security agencies and local populations while ensuring respect for human rights.”
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