By Okechukwu Nwanguma
On behalf of my colleagues in the civil society, particularly Southeast based CSOs, I join our partners, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to welcome you all to this momentous summit.
This gathering has been jointly convened by the NBA and CSOs as a platform for stakeholders to engage in informed conversations about the seemingly intractable and debilitating challenges of insecurity in our region.
Let me mention at the outset that we chose Enugu for this event owing to the relative security that prevails in this state in comparison with other Southeast states. Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts to combat insecurity in Enugu State have indeed yielded positive results, making it a relatively safe haven compared to other Southeast states.
His significant investments in security infrastructure, such as the Enugu State Command and Control Centre, a state-of-the-art surveillance system, demonstrate his commitment to protecting the welfare of Enugu residents.
The establishment of the Enugu State Security Trust Fund is another laudable initiative, showcasing Governor Mbah’s dedication to tackling insecurity head-on. This fund has already recorded significant success, with reports indicating that it has generated around N3 billion.
I must in a special way, thank the President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, his team and other members of the NBA for accepting to collaborate in organizing this summit. Mazi Afam Osigwe’s honorable personality and integrity has restored some credibility to the leadership of the NBA.
His commitment to progressive and courageous engagements explains the willingness of the NBA under his able leadership to partner with CSOs in organizing this summit.
Southeast Nigeria, the once peaceful and vibrant region, has regrettably over the past few years been on a gradual and steady descent into anarchy, an existential crisis of enormous proportions with attendant destruction of property, lives and livelihood impeding its development and progress.
The tragic situation calls for urgent and joint efforts to interrogate and understand its root, nature, facets and effects on the well-being of our people. When we understand the various factors and forces driving insecurity, we can then proffer informed solutions towards restoring order, peace, security and prosperity.
We in the CSOs, particularly those of us who are either from the southeast, or operating in the zone, are happy to be part of this multi-stakeholder engagement which brings together diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, security agencies, government officials, civil society organizations, and the media, to foster collaboration and coordination.
For so long we appeared to have stood aloof, watching in apparent helplessness as the sanctity of our land continued to be desecrated with the innocent blood of our helpless people.
Many of our communities have been overrun and taken over by criminal elements who without mercy and compunction, kill, maim, destroy and rape in an unrestrained reign of terror. Many families have been displaced. Women have been rendered widows and childless.
Girls have been abducted and held as sex slaves. Children have been forced to abandon education. Traditional rulers have been chased out of their kingdoms. The clergy have been kidnapped and killed. Nobody is spared in this abominable reign of terror.
As stakeholders we must collaborate to seek solutions to the lingering multidimensional challenges of insecurity and human rights violations which have had tremendous and ravaging impact on civic space, the development and progress of the southeast and the well-being of its peoples and inhabitants.
The summit provides the platform for all of us to share perspectives on the underlying causes and impacts of insecurity and human rights violations and contribute to the development of context-specific solutions to address the challenges.
We look forward to open discussions to help build trust and confidence among stakeholders, which is essential for effective collaboration and conflict resolution.
A critical component of this summit is a Public Hearing which will provide opportunity and a safe space for some victims of human rights violations and representatives of affected communities to share their experiences and testimonies.
The public hearing will not only amplify their voices, but also serve as a means of collecting and documenting evidence of human rights violations, which can inform advocacy efforts and support accountability. Through the public hearing, we also want to raise public awareness about human rights violations and their impact on individuals and communities.
The testimonies will complement findings from field research on insecurity in the Southeast commissioned by RULAAC as part of its interventions on insecurity in the Southeast. The researchers are here with us and will share the overview of the reports of their field investigations. We want to promote accountability as it is expected that this and subsequent engagements will encourage security agencies and government officials to take responsibility for their actions and to commit to upholding human rights standards.
For those who accepted to appear and testify, either as victims or as representatives of victims or affected communities we do not take it for granted. We commend them and salute their courage because not all who were invited agreed to attend to speak up. Your testimonies will provide valuable insights, help identify patterns and enable us jointly seek justice.
It is our further expectation that this summit will help to enhance cooperation and coordination among stakeholders to address insecurity and human rights violations. We look forward to this summit leading to the development of context-specific solutions tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the Southeast region.
Our communities need to be empowered with their voices and advocacy efforts strengthened to demand justice, accountability, and human rights protection.
We earnestly hope that each of the stakeholders present here today either as individuals or as organizations or institutions, will leave this summit with a certain commitment and determination to more effectively discharge their responsibilities and deliver on their mandates.
We are happy that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is represented here and it is our expectation that the Commission will facilitate public awareness campaigns on human rights, reinforce monitoring of human rights violations and ensure accountability.
We will like to see the Nigerian Bar Association and other professional groups provide pro-bono legal support for victims of human rights abuses and advocate for legal reforms to strengthen human rights protections.
We will like to see State Ministries of Justice commit to expediting the prosecution of human rights violators and implement programs for legal education and awareness in communities.
We will like to see the Police Service Commission enhance oversight of police conduct and accountability mechanisms and develop training programs focused on human rights and community policing.
We look forward to hearing the Nigeria Police, Military, and other security agencies pledge to enforce laws protecting human rights in operations and establish clear protocols for handling human rights complaints.
We hope that institutions of government involved in Peace Building and Security collaborate on comprehensive strategies that prioritize human rights in peacebuilding efforts and allocate resources for conflict prevention initiatives.
We want to see the Media commit to responsible reporting on human rights issues to raise public awareness and investigate and report on violations without fear or favor.
Communities and civil society organizations should foster grassroots movements for human rights education and advocacy and promote and engage in dialogue with authorities to highlight local issues.
Women and youth need to be empowered through capacity-building programs focused on advocacy and leadership and to promote initiatives that address the specific human rights concerns of women and youth.
The academia and intelligentsia should prioritize research on human rights themes to inform policy and practice as well as facilitate forums for dialogue on peace, security, and human rights issues.
As already stated, the Governor of Enugu State has done well and we hope that our governors will commit to allocating state resources towards addressing insecurity and promoting human rights. They also need to work cooperatively on issues that are both local to their various states and that are cross-border. The recent report of Southwest governors meeting and agreeing on joint security measures for their region, and forming a joint surveillance team to counter emerging security threats from groups like ISWAP may provide an example that southeast governors may consider. We believe that joint collaborative approach will maximize results.
Let me place on record, the civil society’s appreciation of the sacrifices that our security forces are making to combat violent crimes and to restore peace in the Southeast. We note that our security personnel and infrastructure have also been targets and victims of violent attacks. Soldiers, police and personnel of other security agencies have been killed in the line of duty defending law-abiding citizens.
Recent reports indicate that no fewer than 22 police stations have been burned across 19 Local Government Areas in Imo State since 2020, highlighting escalating violence against law enforcement.
We note the various special security operations by the federal and state governments to tackle unabated insecurity.
Measures put in place by the Anambra State government are notable.
These initiatives are essential, given the evident shortcomings of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
While these special security measures are necessary to complement the efforts of security forces in tackling the menace posed by various criminal gangs on the prowl across the southeast committing atrocities, we believe that wrongful approaches to law enforcement will not invite public support.
Deviation from lawful approaches will add to the problem rather than contributing to the solution. Heavy reliance on kinetic approaches and excessive militarization of the civic space without equally addressing the socio-economic and political drivers of crime, violence and insecurity have proved not just to be ineffectual but also counterproductive.
While these state security initiatives are positive step toward improving local security, it is crucial that their operations adhere to legal and ethical standards. Ensuring respect for human rights and due process will strengthen the legitimacy of these outfits and foster trust within the communities they serve.
Our youth population is fast depleting and our security agencies are also suffering heavy casualties in personnel losses, in a cycle of mutual annihilation. There is need for a review of strategies prioritizing
engagement, dialogue, constructive engagement with communities and youth, and addressing the socio-economic root and risk factors of insecurity. Attention must be paid to addressing multidimensional poverty, unemployment, inequality and grievances over historical injustices.
I submit that by addressing the socio-economic and political drivers of insecurity – and this touches on good governance; promoting dialogue and community engagement, and implementing effective law enforcement interventions – Southeast Nigeria can move towards a more peaceful and secure future.
Let me conclude by thanking the chairman of the occasion Dr. Sam Amadi, the Keynote speaker, Professor Anselm Chidi Odinkalu, Monsignor Prof. Obiora Ike, our discussants, members of the panel who will preside over the Public Hearing and hear the testimonies. Let me also thank representatives of the NPF, the military and other government institutions, the NHRC, the PSC etc. I thank my colleagues in the CSOs and our friends from the media. I welcome everyone and I thank you all for attending and for your patriotic willingness to contribute to the efforts to restore peace security and prosperity to the southeast.
Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director, Rule Of Law And Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) On Behalf Of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), At The Southeast Stakeholders Summit On Peace And Security, And Public Hearing On Human Rights Violations Organised By The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) In Partnership With Southeast Csos, In Enugu On February 21 And 22, 2025.
