News
Security forces extra-judicially killed over 100,000 Nigerians in eight years – Intersociety alleges
By Our Correspondent
A human rights organisation, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Intersociety, has claimed that over 100,000 Nigerians lost their lives in the hands of security agencies within the past eight years.
According to the group, the most affected states are: Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Kaduna, Abia, Borno, Ebonyi, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Taraba, Niger, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, among others.
The group claimed the figure was obtained through its review of activities of security agencies covering the period between August 2015 to December 2023.
It said the killings would have been prevented if the massively deployed security forces had heeded several early warnings and acted securely and unbiased.
This was contained in a statement made available to Aljazirah Nigeria on Thursday.
The statement was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Intersociety Board Chairman, Chidinma Udegbunam, Head, Campaign and Publicity and Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Head, Civil Liberties and Rule of Law.
The group claimed that “over 100,000 unarmed and defenceless citizens of Nigeria have died directly or indirectly outside the law in the hands of the Nigerian security forces.
It said the deaths were recorded in 28 major operations “during which tens of thousands were deadly tortured and secretly held without fair and evidence-based trial.”
Intersociety added that several thousands of others permanently disappeared during custodial abductions and incarcerations.
“The ‘indirect deaths’ included those that died from torture and gunshot injuries or those abducted and disappeared; and hunger, starvation and deprivations visited upon their dependants occasioned by their absence.
“Included in this category are victims of the Fulani herdsmen and Jihadist Bandits’ massacre.
“Shockingly, about 70% of the direct dead, tortured, abducted and disappeared victims are found to have belonged to members of the South-East, the South-South and the Old Middle-Belt Christians and non Muslim others.
“The remaining 30% represented the unarmed and defenceless Muslim victims killed or maimed during the Nigerian security forces’ crude counter-insurgency operations in Muslim parts of the North-East States of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Adamawa, severally captured in the Amnesty International reports,” it stated.
It claimed that Nigerian security forces were neutrality and professionalism challenged “having brutally been radicalised, biassed and bastardised, particularly since July 2015.”
The rights group advocated that the security forces be “urgently restructured and their personnel and bosses comprehensively retrained and de-radicalized.”
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
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