The Southeast Stakeholders Summit on Peace and Security and Public Hearing on Human Rights Violations was convened in Enugu, Nigeria, on February 21-22, 2025.
The summit was co-organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), and Southeast-based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
The objective was to facilitate dialogue, promote accountability, and develop collaborative strategies to address the escalating security challenges and human rights violations in the region.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, affected communities, and the media. Regrettably, neither the National Human Rights Commission nor the Nigerian Police Force attended despite the invitation. This is disappointing considering the critical role that the NHRC has to play in promoting and defending human rights and in ensuring accountability.
His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, served as the Special Guest, and was represented by Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, Special Adviser to the governor on Legal Matters.
The Governor officially declared the event open. Other governors from the Southeast region were invited to participate in the deliberations.
The chairman for the summit was Dr Sam Amadi, Director of Athe buja School of Social and Political Thought.
The Opening Ceremony featured welcome addresses by the NBA and CSO representatives, and goodwill messages from the following dignitaries:
Major Gen. O.T. Olatoye ably represented by Brig. Gen. B. S. Buhari, GOC 82 Division, Enugu;
Sabastine Anyia Esq, 1st Vice President, and Chairman of the Human Rights Institute of the NBA;
Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, President, NBA ;
Okechukwu Nwanguma (Executive Director, RULAAC);
Attorney General/CJ of Enugu State E.E. Juliana Inyiama
Ikechukwu Ani, representative of the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC);
Austin Onuoha, Executive Director, Peace in Southeast Project (PISE-P), Abuja;
Amaka. P.Q. Uzodinma, Head of Peacebuilding, Zonal Office Southeast of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution IPCR, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Monsignor. Prof. Obiora Ike, Founder, Catholic Institute of Development, Justice and Peace and Caritas (CIDJAP) Enugu;
The Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Special Guest, represented by Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze.
The NBA and CSOs in their welcome remarks, emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing insecurity and human rights violations.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The summit also featured an insightful Keynote Address delivered by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Professor of Practice at the Fletcher School of Law, who presented a comprehensive paper titled “Fostering Lasting Peace and Security: Collaborative Approaches to Address Insecurity and Human Rights Violations in Southeast Nigeria.” His presentation highlighted the multidimensional nature of the crisis, the importance of governance and accountability, and strategies for sustainable peace.
KEY ISSUES DISCUSSED
The summit discussed the root causes of insecurity and human rights violations in the Southeast, identifying multiple interrelated factors contributing to the crisis, including:
The interplay between insecurity and human rights violations: the summit highlighted how insecurity and human rights abuses in the Southeast are interconnected, with violations often stemming from both state and non-state actors.
Cultism and killing of youths: This involves recruiting children from as low as primary school and initiating them also identified transactional fetishism and transactional idolatry in the region
Natural resource exploitation such as the mining of Kaolin and hydrocarbon sourced illegally.
The inadequacy of current security responses: discussions revealed that the prevailing reliance on kinetic military operations has not only been ineffective but has also exacerbated tensions and violence in the region and a general policing problem.
Guns and drugs: there are lots of guns in the Southeast region and there is a control need.
The role of governance and leadership: a lack of inclusive governance and poor coordination hinder efforts to address insecurity.
The economic impact of insecurity: the continued disruption of businesses, education, and livelihoods has led to economic losses, further exacerbating poverty and frustration.
The historical and socio-political context – The summit explored the lingering consequences of past conflicts, including the Nigeria-Biafra War, which continues to shape narratives and grievances in the region, the removal of history from the curriculum and the issue of fluid identity.
The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in disregard of several stakeholders’ appeals for his release in compliance with court orders and the need for political resolution of the issues regarding separatism in the southeast and Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention.
OBSERVATIONS
The summit participants made the following key observations:
Long-term development planning: if well-implemented, can accelerate progress and stability in the region. This can be coordinated by the newly established Southeast Development Commission.
The arrest and continuous detention of Nnamdi Kanu breaches the rule of law. The federal government has persistently ignored calls by diverse stakeholders, including some Southeast state governors and legislators, for his release in compliance with court orders and to embrace dialogue and engagement as a means of de-escalation and just resolution.
There is a need for enhanced coordination among the Southeast governors to implement regional security initiatives, taking cue from the South-west governors.
Corruption and the politicization of security challenges continue to impede effective responses; the police should not be used for regime protection or as a tool for repression and suppression of dissent and other forms of democratic expression.
Shrinking civic space and increasing fear of reprisals have weakened advocacy efforts for justice and accountability. Insecurity in many Southeast States has taken diverse forms, including armed robbery, kidnapping, extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, and violations of civic freedoms.
The emergence of state-backed security outfits such as Agunechemba in Anambra has sparked concerns over human rights violations, requiring oversight and accountability measures.
There is an urgent need to protect vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, who suffer the most from insecurity.
Security agencies must adhere to legal protocols and respect human rights while conducting operations to avoid further violations and erosion of public trust.
The Southeast is not well advocated for by the Governors in the region.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Following extensive deliberations, the summit outlined key recommendations:
Set up a Human Right Bureau at the end of the summit and adopt a collaborative security framework.
Establish a structured legal framework to oversee litigation efforts, with dedicated lawyers from the states handling legal proceedings.
A formal structure will be put in place to ensure accountability, including regular meetings to assess progress, escalate critical issues, and coordinate responses. Additionally, an advisory board comprising key stakeholders, including the NBA, RULAAC, and other CSO and institutions representatives to be appointed in liaison offices across different southeastern states, will be instituted to provide strategic guidance and oversight.
Strengthen arms control measures to curb the illegal flow of weapons into the Southeast, ensuring stricter enforcement and monitoring of supply routes.
Enhance border security and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to prevent the proliferation of arms and restrict access by criminal elements.
Implement robust community policing strategies to improve trust between security agencies and local populations while ensuring respect for human rights.
Civic engagement and awareness campaigns: the public should be actively involved in discussions on security and human rights through sustained advocacy efforts.
Strengthening the Southeast Governor’s Forum: this platform will serve as a mechanism for monitoring security activities in the region, pulling resources and strengthening the surveillance system in the region.
Regulation of state-backed security outfits: government-backed security groups such as Agunechemba, as well as special or tactical units of the police such as Rapid Response Squad in Anambra, Tiger Base in Imo State, and Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Anambra, etc. must operate within the confines of human rights and legal frameworks;
There is a need for better pay system and economic empowerment of the police to humanize the police, enhance morale and check corruption.
Immortalizing lives lost during the civil war, setting an agreed date to honour their memories, and setting up workshops and conferences.
The continued existence of clandestine detention facilities and reports of forced disappearances necessitate urgent interventions to ensure due process and accountability by the judiciary.
The Federal government should heed numerous calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. This will help in de-escalation. The issues are essentially political and can only be resolved through political ssolutions
CONCLUSION
Participants at the summit reaffirmed their commitment to sustained engagement with stakeholders across government and non-government sectors to keep security and human rights issues in the Southeast at the forefront of national discourse. They emphasized the need for a continuous and coordinated approach to security governance, urging authorities to adopt long-term strategies that transcend political transitions.
For Civil Society Organisations, Okechukwu Nwanguma (RULAAC), For the Nigerian Bar Association, Sabastine Anyia Esq., 1st Vice President and Chairman of the Human Rights Institute of the NBA
