Enforced Disappearance: Nigerian Security Forces Systemic Abductions and Disappearances Of Southeast Citizens Remain Unaccounted

Enforced Disappearance: Nigerian Security Forces Systemic Abductions and Disappearances Of Southeast Citizens Remain Unaccounted  Nigeria, a...

Enforced Disappearance: Nigerian Security Forces Systemic Abductions and Disappearances Of Southeast Citizens Remain Unaccounted 

Nigeria, a state replete with numerous criminal activities, such as high level corruption, abuse of human rights, enforced disappearances, public fund embezzlement, terrorism, and so forth, has remained the corruption capital of the world. These crimes, despite the penchant to high-handedness by the Nigerian security forces to  clamp down on dissenting voices, has skyrocketed in the last decade plunging the country into a dungeon of death, crimes and impunity with little or no action from the Nigerian government and it's security forces to put an end to them.

Over the past years, numerous individuals have been arrested by state agents, only to disappear without a trace according to Amnesty International. These enforced disappearances have not only traumatized families but also raised alarming concerns about human rights abuses perpetrated by the Nigerian security forces. The state's denial of knowledge regarding the whereabouts of these individuals deepens the anguish of families, leaving them in a harrowing limbo.

Sunday Nwafor, a 47-year-old businessman, is one such victim. He was last seen on 27 February 2020 after being apprehended by officials of the Nigerian Army from the 140 Brigade Ohafia, in Abia State. Nwafor's family has since been plunged into a vortex of despair, with no word from the authorities on his fate or location. This pattern of disappearance is not isolated. It mirrors the experiences of countless others who have similarly been taken by state agents, only to vanish into the ether of Nigeria's notorious security apparatus.

Among these individuals are Obioma Okoroafor, aged 40, Ozoemela Nwaokorie, 34, and Ogechi Ifere Matins. These three were arrested on 27 October 2020 by members of the Nigerian Army in Oyigbo, Rivers State, during the #EndSARS protests. Their arrests were part of a broader crackdown on dissent and protests, but like Nwafor, they too have not been seen since. Their families, like many others, have been left to grapple with the void left by their sudden and unexplained disappearance.

The trend of enforced disappearances in Nigeria extends to the infamous SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) unit, particularly at its Awkuzu unit in Anambra State. Dozens of young men detained at this facility have simply disappeared. Among them was Iloanya Chijioke, a 20-year-old who was last seen in November 2012. Despite desperate attempts by his family to uncover the truth, there has been no trace of Chijioke, highlighting the pervasive culture of impunity within the security forces.

Maduabuchi Obinwa, aged 22, similarly vanished after being abducted on 24 April 2022. His abduction occurred during a raid by security agents from the Awkuzu State Criminal Investigation Department in Ekwulobia, Anambra State. For his family, every day has been marked by a painful uncertainty, a nightmare without end, as they wait for news that never comes.

Moreso, the case of Obiora Agbasimalo, a governorship candidate, further underscores the scale of this crisis. Agbasimalo was abducted by gunmen on 18 September 2021 while en route to an election campaign outing in Azia town, Anambra State. His abduction, shrouded in mystery and fear, adds to the list of high-profile cases where the state appears either complicit or powerless to act, further eroding public trust in the authorities.

Adding to the chilling list is the case of Sunday Ifedi and Calista Ifedi, a couple taken from their home in Enugu on 23 November 2021 by security operatives. Their crime? Alleged membership in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a freedom movement asking for the liberation of Biafran people. The fate of the Ifedis, like so many others, remains unknown, their lives seemingly swallowed by the state they once called their own.

Despite these egregious acts, the Nigerian government has consistently denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of these individuals. Attempts by journalists and human rights organizations to elicit responses from the authorities have been met with a wall of silence. Efforts to reach Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to a text message inquiry. Similarly, attempts to contact ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Force Public Relations Officer, yielded no results. This lack of transparency and accountability only serves to reinforce the belief that the state is either actively involved in these disappearances or, at the very least, indifferent to the plight of its citizens.

The enforced disappearance of individuals in Southeast Nigeria is not just a violation of human rights; it is a crime against humanity. According to international law, enforced disappearance is considered one of the gravest crimes, as it involves the state's role in the abduction and subsequent denial of the individual's fate or whereabouts. This crime not only violates the victim's right to liberty and security but also subjects their families to prolonged suffering, uncertainty, and fear. In Nigeria, this crime is compounded by a judicial system that is often seen as complicit in its inaction, leaving victims and their families with little hope for justice.

The impact of these disappearances on families cannot be overstated. For each person who vanishes, there are loved ones left behind, caught in a web of fear, uncertainty, and despair. These families are often left to search for their missing relatives on their own, with little to no support from the authorities. They face threats, harassment, and in some cases, are forced to flee their homes to escape persecution. The psychological toll of this situation is immense, with many families reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues as they grapple with the loss of their loved ones.

Communities in Southeast Nigeria have also been deeply affected by these disappearances. The fear of being targeted by the state has created an atmosphere of distrust and paranoia, where individuals are afraid to speak out or associate with certain groups for fear of being labeled as dissidents or enemies of the state. This has stifled freedom of expression and assembly, core democratic rights that are essential for the functioning of any society. In the absence of these freedoms, the social fabric of these communities is being torn apart, with devastating consequences for social cohesion and development.

The international community cannot afford to continue remaining silent in the face of these gross violations of human rights. The Nigerian government and security forces must be held accountable for its actions, and pressure must be exerted to ensure that these disappearances are thoroughly investigated, and those responsible are brought to justice. International human rights organizations, foreign governments, and the United Nations must take a stand against these atrocities and call for the immediate release of all individuals who have been unlawfully detained.

The south east governors, the political leaders and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for its part, must take urgent steps to address this crisis. This includes launching a transparent and impartial investigation into all cases of enforced disappearance, ensuring that those responsible are prosecuted, and providing support to the families of the victims. The government must also reform its security agencies to prevent future abuses, including establishing mechanisms for accountability and oversight.

The enforced disappearances in Southeast Nigeria is sure a dark chapter that must be investigated, one that cannot be allowed to continue. The state's responsibility is to protect its citizens, not to terrorize them. By allowing these disappearances to go unchecked, the government is not only failing in its duty but is also contributing to a culture of impunity that undermines the very foundations of the rule of law.

The families of these individuals disappeared deserve answers, they deserve justice, and they deserve the return of their loved ones. Until the Nigerian government takes meaningful action to address this crisis, the shadow of enforced disappearance will continue to loom large over the Southeast, casting a spell of fear and despair over a region already grappling with myriad challenges. The time for action is now, before more lives are lost to the abyss of state-sanctioned oblivion.

Family Writers Press International