By Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
*Introduction*
The chronic violence and insecurity in Southeast Nigeria over the past quarter-century demand urgent and coordinated efforts across various stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions.
Recognizing that no state can overcome these challenges in isolation, and therefore that a united approach involving governments, civil society, academia, and local communities is imperative, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and southeast CSOs convened a two-day Southeast Stakeholders Summit on Peace and Security and Public Hearing on Human Rights Violations at Hotel Sunshine, Enugu, February 21-22, 2025.
*Context*
The Southeast, previously marked by better human development indicators, is now facing severe insecurity, leading to internal displacement, food insecurity, and a collapse in education. Growing issues include violent attacks, particularly against women and children, rampant arbitrary arrests, and disappearances without record.
*Challenges Identified*
*1.Youth Rights Violations:* Extrajudicial killings and unjust detentions, often by security forces, contribute to insecurity.
- *Inter-Community Conflicts:* Violent disputes over resources and deteriorating local governance have led to unrest.
- *Cultism and Drug Barony:* Increased poverty and social disintegration have fueled criminal activities, including human trafficking and organ harvesting.
The Summit gathered key stakeholders, including government representatives, security agencies, civil society, and affected communities, who jointly addressed escalating security concerns and evaluated human rights violations in the Southeast of Nigeria. Notably, the absence of the National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Police Force was regrettable, given their crucial roles in human rights advocacy and accountability.
*Day One* – February 21, 2025 – feafured the Opening Ceremony starting with Opening Remarks by the summit chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, which initiated proceedings.
Welcome Remarks by the 2nd Vice President of the NBA who also heads the NBA Human Rights Institute, and Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, the RULAAC Executive Director, expressed the need for a collaborative approach to address insecurity and human rights violations, positioning the summit as a critical starting point for fostering dialogue among stakeholders.
There were goodwill messages from notable figures, including the President and 1st Vice President of the NBA; Major General O.T. Olatoye (GOC, 82 Div of the Nigerian Army, Enugu), and representatives from Enugu state government and civil society.
*Insights from Dignitaries*
*The Nigerian Army* emphasized collaboration for national stability and accountability.
*NBA* noted the urgency for immediate action against insecurity; the need to reconcile families and increase legal assistance for vulnerable groups.
*The Attorney General Enugu State* indicated ongoing efforts to improve security and human rights protection in the state.
*The Police Service Commission* called for accountability and transparency in law enforcement.
*The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution* advocated for community involvement in security management.
*Keynote Address*
Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu highlighted severe governance and security issues, calling for unified approaches to reforming security forces and addressing the underlying causes of insecurity, including ethnic conflicts and crime.
He posited that the ongoing crisis of insecurity and human rights violations in Nigeria, particularly in the southeast, requires a comprehensive understanding of the broader national context. He highlighted five critical issues that impede the state’s ability to manage these challenges effectively:
- *Failure of Governance* The government’s primary duty, as stipulated by Section 14(2)(b) of Nigeria’s constitution, is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. The current reliance on military responses, rather than civil governance solutions, indicates a failure in addressing root causes of insecurity.
- *Kinetic Responses* The predominant strategy has been a kinetic approach, focusing on military deployment without integrating civil mechanisms for conflict resolution. This leads to an escalation of violence and may perpetuate cycles of unrest rather than achieving lasting peace.
- *Internal Security Capacity* There has been a significant erosion of the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity, which has led to an over-reliance on military forces for internal security. This shift not only undermines police authority but also strains military resources and morale.
- *Political Co-optation of Violence* Politicians have exploited violence for political gain, using insecurity as a tool for manipulation and power retention. This politicization deepens mistrust in governmental intentions and solutions.
- *Growing Perception of Insecurity* As noted by former U.S. Ambassador John Campbell, there is a pervasive belief among Nigerians that the government fails to provide security, highlighting a crisis of legitimacy. This perception fuels discontent and undermines public cooperation with state authorities.
He asserted that addressing these underlying issues is crucial for effective security management and restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to protect its citizens. A multi-faceted approach that includes improving policing, fostering community engagement, and addressing socioeconomic factors is essential for sustainable peace and security in Nigeria.
*Panel Discussions*
– A moderated panel featured various speakers discussing security challenges.
Key themes included:
*Community Engagement* Emphasizing the importance of local involvement in security matters.
*Corruption in Security Forces* Addressing inefficiencies and advocating for reforms to restore public trust.
*Socioeconomic Factors* Highlighting the relationship between economic hardship and rising crime.
*Day Two* – February 22, 2025 – featured *State-by-State Overview* of the state of security and human rights and testimonies by activists and victims.
*Security Overviews*
Reports from each state in the Southeast examined unique security challenges and human rights concerns:
- *Overview of Insecurity and Human Rights in Ebonyi State*
*Introduction*
Ebonyi State, created in 1996, consists of 13 local governments across three senatorial zones. Insecurity, primarily due to land ownership and boundary disputes, has affected nine out of these 13 local areas, with issues rooted in a century of conflict and political interests.
*Patterns of Conflict*
Historical conflicts manifest seasonally, often influenced by political actors and their interests. The toll of these disputes has been severe, affecting women’s and children’s lives disproportionately. Although exact casualty figures and displacement statistics are scarce, the human cost is substantial.
*Interference by Authority*
Political officeholders and security agents are often accused of exacerbating these conflicts through neglect or interference, leading to a culture of impunity and perpetuating violence. This is compounded by a lack of sincere government intervention, as noted by a local respondent commenting on the empowerment of crisis actors through political appointments.
*Summary of Incidents*
Significant violent incidents include:
* July 2019: Killings of two policemen in Ezza South.
* May 2020: Violent attacks in Umuogodo Akpu by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
* May 2021: 53 deaths from herdsmen attacks across local communities.
* March 2021: Attacks in Ishielu LGA resulting in over 18 fatalities.
– April 2022: A land dispute in Ezza/Effium led to over 26 deaths and extensive property damage.
– February 2025: Additional attacks by herdsmen in Nkalaha, resulting in 24 deaths and the destruction of homes.
These incidents illustrate a broader, ongoing crisis of violence in Ebonyi State.
- *Overview of Insecurity and Human Rights in Anambra State*
*Background of Insecurity*
Insecurity manifests as anxiety and fear among residents, stemming from political unrest, poverty, and a weak security apparatus. Definitions of insecurity emphasize threats to life, property, and personal safety.
*Causes and Effects*
Insecurity arises from political, economic, and social factors. The consequences are dire: reduced life expectancy, displacement, economic devastation, and significant human rights violations.
*Impact on Human Rights*
Anambra faces multiple forms of insecurity, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder, often fueled by political and communal strife. Human rights violations include impairments to the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of expression.
*Forms of Violations*
- By Civilians: Attacks on movement and economic activities due to non-state actors imposing restrictions, such as lockdowns.
- By Security Agencies: Unlawful arrests, extrajudicial killings, and denied fair trials highlighted by reports of abuse in detention facilities.
*Government Response*
While Anambra has formed the Agunechemba Security outfit to combat insecurity, concerns about human rights violations during operations persist. The state must balance security needs with the imperative to protect citizens’ rights.
- *Overview of Insecurity and Human Rights in Abia State*
*Introduction*
Insecurity in Abia State has profound implications for human rights, as documented in recent research. Various forms of violence have left communities traumatized and severely impacted vulnerable groups.
*Current State of Insecurity*
Areas like Ndiegoro and Lekwesi Umuchieze experience violence linked to state-sponsored actions and non-state actors, resulting in unlawful detentions and sexual violence.
*Impact on Vulnerable Groups*
Women and children bear the brunt of insecurity; survivors of violence face stigma and inadequate support. Education is disrupted, trapping children in cycles of poverty. Persons with disabilities remain particularly vulnerable during outbreaks of violence.
*Civil and Human Rights*
Insecurity has led to threats against civic spaces; activists, journalists, and civil society organisations face intimidation, limiting their ability to advocate for victims’ rights.
*Call to Action*
Interventions must prioritise the protection of vulnerable groups and ensure accountability for human rights abuses. Community-led security initiatives, alongside government measures, are critical to restoring safety.
- *Overview of Insecurity and Human Rights in Imo State*
*General Overview*
Imo State witnesses rampant human rights abuses involving state and non-state actors, leading to widespread fear among citizens. Reports of kidnapping for organ theft and armed robbery persist as daily occurrences.
*Challenges Faced*
Young people face profiling and potential violence due to their appearance, while municipalities see increased hostility from both law enforcement and criminal elements. Poor conditions in detention facilities highlight the harsh realities of law enforcement.
*Government Criticism and Abductions*
Critics of government policies risk abduction, as noted in high-profile cases where dissenting voices were silenced, raising significant human rights concerns.
- *Overview of Security and Human Rights in Enugu State*
*Current Security Situation*
Enugu State has made strides in improving its security situation, particularly under Governor Peter Mbah. Despite this, challenges such as kidnapping and communal clashes persist, particularly in certain localities.
*Communal Clashes and Human Rights Violations*
Communal violence driven by land disputes reflects deeper governance failures. The government often neglects early warnings, allowing conflicts to escalate into severe human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings.
*Government Accountability*
A lack of proactive measures to address violence undermines community trust in authorities. The government must enhance its response to communal disputes to prevent further deterioration of the security landscape.
*Conclusion*
The security challenges across Southeast Nigeria, including Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, Imo, and Enugu, indicate a persistent cycle of violence impacting human rights and civic engagement. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from both the government and civil society to safeguard rights and promote stability in affected communities.
*Recommendations*
The summit concluded with ten recommendations aimed at improving security and human rights in the region, including establishing a Human Rights Bureau, community policing strategies, and strengthening the Southeast Governors’ Forum.
*Collaborations for Human Security in Southeast Nigeria:*
*Key Recommendations for Multi-Directional Collaborations*
- *Enhanced Coordination Among Southeast Governors* :
– The South-East Governors Forum (SEGF) must prioritise reinvigorating its meetings and cooperation. A collective strategy is essential to address violence and insecurity, particularly in shared border areas. Establishing specialised sectoral committees (in areas like justice and homeland security) can facilitate targeted interventions.
- *Cross-Regional Collaborations* :
– The governments of the Southeast should coordinate effectively with neighbouring regions (South-South and Middle Belt) to tackle security threats that cross regional boundaries. Joint initiatives addressing militia movements and the trafficking of small arms should be prioritised.
- *Engaging with the Federal Government:*
– There is an urgent need for structured dialogue between Southeast political leadership and the Federal Government. Establishing consistent communication channels can help address perceptions of the Southeast as “semi-detached” and facilitate more effective security responses tailored to regional needs.
- *Addressing Narrative Vacuums: *
– Combatting the false narrative that equates crime in the Southeast with separatism is crucial. This requires collaboration between government, civil society, and academic institutions to develop a nuanced understanding of the region’s security dynamics. Efforts should focus on disbanding criminal networks rather than mislabeling movements as secessionist.
- *Rebuilding Justice Administration Infrastructure:*
– State governments must invest in regenerating their ministries of justice, ensuring qualified prosecutors and effective judicial administration are in place. Collaborating with local communities and the Nigerian Police Force to restore policing capabilities is vital to rebuilding trust and effectiveness in law enforcement.
- *Leveraging the South-East Development Commission (SEDC):*
– The SEDC can play a pivotal role in regional coordination by fostering collaboration among communities, states, and private investors. Initiatives such as shared training facilities for vigilante groups and establishing forensic laboratories can enhance accountability and law enforcement effectiveness.
- *Reforming Local Economies:*
– Addressing the displacement of entrepreneurial values by criminal enterprises is essential. The Anambra State model of regulating native doctors to eliminate those supporting criminal activities exemplifies a strategic approach worth expanding throughout the region.
- *Focusing on Inter-Generational and Gender Issues:*
– Addressing the inter-generational impacts of violence on both youth and gender equity is crucial for the region’s future. Comprehensive programs targeting youth empowerment and gender inclusion in security initiatives will help restore societal values and promote sustainable progress.
The summiteers concluded that the only way to reduce insecurity in the Southeast is to enhance the protection of human rights and reestablish accountability in local governance in the states of the region. This would require a framework that can overcome the collective action problem that has limited advocacy and action to seek remedies for these violations. A *Joint Human Rights Bureau* was considered as such a critical framework to bring together the skills and commitment of human rights activists and investigative journalists in the region to provide strong interventions on behalf of the violated youths and other victimised persons in the region and hold government and governmental institutions accountable for these violations.
*Southeast Joint Human Rights Bureau (SJHR-Bureau)*
The SJHR-Bureau is jointly proposed by RULAAC, The Abuja School, S4C, Alliances Africa, and PISE-P in response to escalating insecurity and human rights violations in Southeast Nigeria.
*Goals of the SJHR-Bureau* :
– Enhance collaboration among civil society groups for effective human rights advocacy.
– Improve access to judicial remedies for victims of human rights violations.
– Promote peacebuilding and accountability in governance.
– Create a database of missing persons and victims of injustice.
– Document and publicly report human rights violations to foster accountability.
*Activities* :
– Track and report cases of human rights violations.
– Launch public advocacy campaigns.
– Provide legal support and undertake impact litigation for victims.
*Operational Methodology* :
The Bureau will be a collaborative platform involving civil society and media personnel focused on promoting the rule of law and accountability. A coordinating office will be established in Owerri, a hotspot for extrajudicial killings.
*Initiation Plans:* The founding organisations will convene initial meetings to finalise the Bureau’s structure and objectives, followed by regular reviews of its activities.
*Conclusion*
The Southeast Stakeholders Summit successfully fostered dialogue among diverse stakeholders, resulting in actionable strategies to address insecurity and promote human rights in the region. The shared commitment to reform and collaboration serves as a vital foundation for restoring peace and stability in the Southeast.
The pathway out of the entrenched crisis in Southeast Nigeria is through collaborative efforts that engage all stakeholders effectively. Continued dialogue, innovative policy solutions, and a commitment to rebuilding trust within communities are essential to restoring peace and security. We urge all parties involved to take these recommendations seriously and work together towards a safer, more secure future for the people of Southeast Nigeria.
May the people of the Southeast prevail!
