Residents of Amasiri community in Afikpo LGA of Ebonyi State have petitioned the National Assembly, accusing security agencies of extrajudicial killings and widespread human rights violations.
Gatekeepers News reports that the petition dated March 11, was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. It was filed by M.O. Idam Attorneys on behalf of the affected residents.
The petitioners listed Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among those accused of carrying out unlawful operations in the community.
They alleged that the situation escalated after a curfew was imposed by Governor Francis Nwifuru, leading to reported cases of extrajudicial killings, destruction of homes, and disruption of daily life.
According to the petition, schools and markets have been shut down, while major roads were blocked, restricting movement and access to essential services like healthcare. Residents also claimed that the operations caused severe hardship, with students unable to sit for examinations.
The document further accused security operatives of looting private property, including ancestral artefacts, and subjecting residents to brutality. It stated, “Our clients are presently subjected to military brutality, extrajudicial killings, and the destruction of private homes.”
The crisis was linked to a longstanding boundary dispute between Amasiri and neighbouring Oso-Edda communities over a contested farm settlement known as Okporojo, a conflict that has led to repeated violence over the years.
The residents are now calling on the National Assembly to investigate the allegations, intervene in the situation, and ensure the protection of their constitutional rights while restoring peace in the community.
