Groups protest, petition Tinubu, IGP, Nwifuru over incessant arrest, killings in Ikwo

By, Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

A coalition of Civil Society Groups led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps, HRVC, Human Rights Action Group, Committee for the Defense of Human rights (CDHR) and Good Living Initiative have petitioned president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun to intervene on the alleged incessant arrest and killings going on in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State.

The groups who staged a peaceful protest in Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State at the weekend, also called for the immediate intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Nigerian Barr Association,  Civil Society Groups, and the global community.

The protesters were carrying placards with the inscriptions; “Stop land grabbing, ikwo people have been cawed, stop arrest in ikwo, Nwifuru end the killings in ikwo, stop chinedu Ogah militancy, We want peace in ikwo etc.

The coalition, who addressed journalists shortly after the protest, said the purpose of the protest was to “register our concern and dismay over the rapid closing of the civic space in Ebonyi by the political class and actors and the uncommon silence of both government and individuals at various levels”.

The leaders of the groups include; Joseph Agbo, (HRVC, Ebonyi State), Charles Otu (Chairman, Human Rights Action Group, South East zone), Lawrence Omini (CDHR Ebonyi State and  Daniel Ibiam (Good Living Initiative (GLI), Ebonyi State).

They said: “We have watched with disconcerting reflections how in a space of less than three months or so, some journalists, writers and social media critics have been arrested, detained, deliberately charged to a Court without proper jurisdiction and eventually held in perpetual custody by either the security agencies or unjustly thrown into prison through prolonged adjournments even on what should be the most common civil allegations. 

“Whereas, this coalition as a highly responsible and revered civic rights group do not in any way support any acts of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking or any act of abuse or misuse of the media- be there mainstream or social.

“we  feel compelled to clarify that our grouse is with the fact that these matters even in cases where they contain criminal charges appear vindictive, intimidating and laced with lots of harassment and torture of the victims or concerned suspects. 

“All these, we consider a grave violation of the fundamental human rights of individuals.

“Otherwise, how can one explain the case of a journalist, Mr. Friday Alefia who was arrested since September 27th and detained in Police custody without being granted bail till November when he was eventually charged to Court? Now, it has lately been reported that the said Mr. Alefia was remanded by an Abuja Magistrate Court till ending of January, 2026.  

“The case of a 22 year old Chisom Achor who was accused of making severe allegations against the lawmaker representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Chinedu Ogah, is even more pathetic! Since the young Tik-Toker was nabbed by the police and detained for several days in an Enugu Police Station.

“We learnt about the fact that the police were allegedly instructed that any family member or friend who brings food for him should be nabbed and detained alongside with him.

“As human rights leaders who understand that there is no place for such a conspicuously oppressive stance in our laws, we had all thought it was a mere joke until one 28 year old Chinonso Imeba was apprehended and thrown into detention by the police. 

“He was consequently charged with the same charges preferred against Chisom Achor. His only crime was that he took food to his brother, Chisom who was in police custody. 

“This sounds incredible but shows how deeply compromised our security agencies have become and how much both the police as our law enforcers and the judiciary as the interpreters of our laws are in bed with the oppressive political class” they stressed.

The groups also condemned the attack of a journalist and publisher in Ebonyi, one Godwin Aliuna who was tortured by security operatives (Neighbourhood watch) on the orders of the serving Commissioner for boarder peace and conflict resolution, Awo Nwaobashi. 

“Godwin Aliuna’s only crime was that he went near the venue where security meeting was being held. He was pounced on and beaten beyond recognition by the defunct Ebubeagu militia who, despite being outlawed, has merely transmuted into the Neighborhood Watch. And operating a torture chamber right inside the old Ebonyi State Government House, Abakaliki. 

The coalition groups, however called on the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governor Francis Nwifuru to defuse the unfolding political tension, killings and destruction of valuable properties in ikwo LGA, and order the immediate release of Friday Alefia, Chinonso Imeba and Chisom Achor from correctional centre.