Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Residents of Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have formally petitioned Nigeria’s National Assembly, accusing the military and other security agencies of carrying out extrajudicial killings and widespread human rights violations during operations in the area, in a case that is rapidly escalating into a national accountability issue.
The petition, dated March 11 and addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, was filed through M.O. Idam & Co. on behalf of community representatives. It names the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, alongside the Ebonyi State Government, as respondents in what the petitioners describe as unlawful and excessive security operations.
At the center of the allegations is a claim that security forces deployed to Amasiri following a curfew imposed by Governor Francis Nwifuru carried out actions that went beyond law enforcement, resulting in civilian deaths, destruction of homes, and severe disruption of daily life. Residents allege that the operations included extrajudicial killings, the burning and demolition of private properties, and the looting of cultural artifacts and ancestral heritage sites.
The petition further states that the community has been subjected to what it describes as “military brutality,” with residents reportedly denied access to essential services. Schools and markets have been shut down, while movement within and outside the area has been heavily restricted due to blocked roads and security checkpoints. Petitioners argue that these measures have effectively crippled economic activity and access to healthcare, leaving residents in what they describe as a humanitarian crisis.
Stone Reporters note that the situation in Amasiri did not emerge in isolation but is rooted in a longstanding boundary dispute between Amasiri and the neighbouring Oso-Edda community over a contested area known as Okporojo. According to the petition, the conflict has spanned generations, marked by cycles of retaliation, killings, and destruction of property on both sides. However, the residents argue that the current phase represents a significant escalation, shifting from communal clashes to large-scale military involvement with broader civilian impact.
Earlier developments in February 2026 show that the Amasiri community had already taken their grievances beyond national channels, submitting petitions to international bodies including the International Criminal Court and the United Nations Human Rights Council. In those filings, they accused the state government of authorizing a military invasion of the community, alleging collective punishment of civilians without due process or investigation into individual culpability.
The petitioners also raised concerns about directives allegedly issued during the crisis, including claims that residents were given ultimatums tied to recovering victims’ remains from earlier attacks. Such claims, if substantiated, suggest a security response that community representatives argue is disproportionate and inconsistent with both Nigerian law and international human rights standards.
In their appeal to the National Assembly, the Amasiri residents are seeking a full investigation into the conduct of security agencies, protection of their constitutional rights, and intervention to restore normalcy in the community. They argue that even if individuals from the community were involved in prior violent incidents, responsibility should be individual and not extended to entire populations.
As of now, there has been no detailed public response from the Nigerian Army, police authorities, or the Ebonyi State Government addressing the specific allegations outlined in the petition. The absence of an official rebuttal leaves the claims unverified, though their seriousness has heightened calls for independent scrutiny.
Security analysts say the case reflects a broader and recurring challenge in Nigeria’s internal security operations, where efforts to contain violence in conflict-prone areas sometimes generate allegations of excessive force and civilian rights violations. They emphasize that the credibility of state response depends heavily on transparency, adherence to legal standards, and accountability mechanisms.
The involvement of the National Assembly introduces a new dimension to the crisis, as lawmakers have the authority to conduct hearings, summon security officials, and recommend actions based on investigative findings. Whether this process leads to formal inquiries or policy responses will likely determine how the situation evolves in the coming weeks.
For residents of Amasiri, however, the immediate concern remains the restoration of safety, access to basic services, and assurance that those responsible for any unlawful actions—whether civilians or security operatives—are held accountable under the law.
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