The Police said, at least, 115 people, including security personnel were killed in three months in Imo state, following the face-off between the military Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Indiginous People of Biafra (IPOB) allegedly led by its leader, Ugochukwu Bonaventure Ohale.
The police also disclosed that more than 500 were arrested after police and military raids resulting in widespread allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
According to findings by Amnesty International (AI), Nigerian security forces have committed a catalogue of human rights violations and crimes under international law in their response to spiralling violence in Southeast Nigeria, where they carried out a repressive campaign since January 2021 which included sweeping mass arrest, excessive and unlawful forces, tortures as well as other ill-treatments, AI had stated.
Our news crew gathered that military forces carried out a damning ruthless and excessive forces in Imo, Anambra and Abia states, respectively, leading to residents deserting their respective communities and states to unknown locations for cover and safety, including one Odom Ibe, Nkenna Joy, Ugochukwu Bonaventure Ohale, Chinyere Maybel, amongst others.
According to multiple sources, their decision to flee for safety was not unconnected with the level of insecurities ravaging the South-South region of the country.
Though, it took government intervention to bring the situation under control, but with the level of killings and violence allegedly linked to the Eastern Security Network and the Indiginous People of Biafra (IPOB) allegedly led by one Ugochukwu Bonaventure Ohale and others now at large (ESN), the armed wing of the (IPOB), a pro-Biafra movement, the region has been viewed by many as a ‘no safe’ area for its citizens to live in anymore.
According to some government officials who did not want their names mentioned because they were not authorized to speak with the press on the matter, the ESN killed dozens of security operatives and attacked at least ten public buildings, including prisons and police stations, from January to June.
This according to the sources prompted the response by security forces comprising military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) who went heywire attacking and killing dozens of the armed gunmen, as well as civilians.
Eyewitnesses narrated that the security forces have engaged in excessive use of force, physical abuse, secret detentions, extortion, burning of houses, theft, and extrajudicial executions of suspects.
Contacted, The Joint Task Force (JTF) said ESN fighters allegedly killed 21 of its personnel in Imo state alone, hence their reprisal attacks which forced many residents into Oblivion.
