A human rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has raised alarm over the growing presence of armed bandits, killer herdsmen, and kidnappers across the South-East region of Nigeria.
According to the group, no fewer than 950 locations, predominantly forests and remote areas, spread across more than 800 communities in the region, are currently under the occupation of these violent actors. The group warned that the invaders operate with impunity—engaging in killings, kidnappings, and other criminal activities without significant resistance.
The group’s chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, who presented the report, accused governors of the South-East of negligence and complicity, alleging that state authorities have aided these groups in acquiring land through questionable means.
“In the course of our research and investigation, we found that the South-East is currently home to 1,940 Igbo communities spread across five states—Abia (771), Imo (700), Enugu (190), Anambra (183), and Ebonyi (96). These communities occupy a total landmass of 29,525 square kilometres, which is less than half the size of Niger State in the North Central zone, which covers 76,363 square kilometres,” Umeagbalasi said.
He alleged that many of the occupied areas were acquired through the active collaboration of local leaders and state governments, who issued certificates of occupancy to the herders and bandits in exchange for political support.
“Some of them gained access to these lands through the involvement and conspiracy of community leaders and state governments, who allegedly issued them certificates of occupancy with promises of electoral and post-election court victories,” Umeagbalasi stated.
The report further claimed that all five governors in the region are complicit in the unfolding security crisis, accusing them of deliberately failing to speak out or act decisively against the activities of the armed groups.
“This conspiracy explains their continued silence in the face of genocidal attacks and jihadist activities carried out by Fulani herdsmen and their allies in the region. They have consistently failed in their role as Chief Security Officers of their respective states,” the report asserted.
Umeagbalasi said the governors are fully aware of the security implications of ceding lands to violent non-state actors, especially given the precedents in other parts of the country such as Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna.
“It is not that they are unaware of the dangers. They know what has happened in other regions, yet they have chosen to mortgage the safety and sovereignty of their communities,” he added.
Intersociety called for urgent intervention to reclaim the occupied areas and protect vulnerable communities across the South-East from further violence and displacement.
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