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Stakeholders from the South-East gathered in Enugu for a two-day summit on security and peace, where they called on the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In addition to this demand, the participants called for the commemoration of lives lost during the Civil War and condemned the ongoing presence of secret detention facilities, along with reports of forced disappearances.

The summit, co-organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), and various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from the South-East, included discussions on peace, security, and human rights violations.

A communiqué released after the summit was signed by Okechukwu Nwanguma on behalf of CSOs (RULAAC) and Sabastine Anyia Esq., the 1st Vice President and Chairman of the Human Rights Institute of the NBA.

The event saw participation from key stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, security agencies, civil society groups, traditional institutions, affected communities, and the media.

Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, served as the summit chairman, while Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a Professor of Practice at the Fletcher School of Law, delivered the keynote address, presenting a detailed paper titled “Fostering Lasting Peace and Security: Collaborative Approaches to Address Insecurity and Human Rights Violations in Southeast Nigeria.”

The discussions focused on the root causes of insecurity and human rights violations in the region. Among the factors identified were cultism, the illegal exploitation of natural resources like Kaolin and hydrocarbons, inadequate security responses, uncontrolled firearms, a lack of inclusive governance, and disruptions in businesses and education. Additionally, the lingering effects of the Nigeria-Biafra War and the ongoing detention of Nnamdi Kanu were highlighted as key issues contributing to the crisis.

After thorough deliberations, the summit recommended the creation of a Human Rights Bureau to establish a structured legal framework for litigation efforts, with dedicated lawyers handling legal proceedings across the states.

“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 a 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, 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 a political solution.”

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