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Civil society organisations have raised alarm over alleged human rights violations and excessive use of force by security personnel in Amasiri community, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the deployment of a joint security task force to the area.
The security operation, which began on January 30, 2026, was accompanied by the enforcement of a 20-hour curfew aimed at curbing communal tensions.
However, residents say that the intervention has instead triggered a humanitarian crisis marked by alleged extrajudicial killings, destruction of homes, and widespread loss of livelihoods.
In a statement to newsmen in Enugu yesterday, leader of Advocates for Good Governance, one of the groups, Onyedika Agbo said that Amasiri community was facing what can be described as “terror,” with reports of residential buildings being set ablaze and farm produce worth hundreds of millions of naira destroyed.
“Women, children and elderly persons have been forced to flee their homes into nearby bushes to escape intimidation and violence,” he said. “They believed the military presence was for protection,” one community advocate said. “Instead, the operations have resulted in fear, displacement, and the destruction of livelihoods.”
Beyond the security operations, the groups also reacted to what they described as one-sided punitive measures against the community. Recall that the state governor, Francis Nwifuru had announced the suspension of political appointees and other government office holders from Amasiri in the aftermath of the crisis.
They also raised concerns over the prolonged curfew imposed in the community, saying that it has restricted access to healthcare, particularly for elderly and critically ill residents.
“There were allegations that peaceful female protesters were brutalised during demonstrations, further deepening concerns over the use of force against civilians,” they said. “The primary duty of security forces is to protect lives and property while remaining neutral,”. “When the hands meant to shield citizens become instruments of harm, the social contract is fundamentally broken.”
The groups also called on the governor to immediately order an investigation into the conduct of the deployed troops while also urging the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to commence an independent inquiry to document alleged abuses and ensure accountability.
