Security Operation in Anambra State Raises Alarming Concerns: Innocent Civilians Targeted Amidst Unclear Raid
In the early hours of yesterday, a security operation led by Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s Agunaechemba security outfit descended upon Owerre Ezukala, a community in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The operation, which was reportedly launched with the intent of dismantling a suspected kidnappers’ den, has since sparked widespread controversy. Following the raid, images and videos circulating on social media have painted a troubling picture of the operation’s conduct, raising critical concerns about the behavior of the security personnel and the lack of accountability for their actions.
While the purpose of the operation was officially described as targeting a criminal stronghold, several reports from eyewitnesses suggest that the Joint Task Force (JTF), which carried out the raid under the directive of Soludo’s security initiative, inadvertently arrested and brutalized innocent civilians. In many instances, it appears that people who were in no way connected to criminal activity found themselves caught up in the raid, subjected to unwarranted violence and mistreatment. These events have ignited a broader conversation about the need for proper oversight and accountability when conducting security operations.
Eyewitnesses have provided harrowing accounts of the events that unfolded during the raid. According to reports, the JTF forcibly entered homes without providing any clear justification for their actions. People were arrested indiscriminately, with no evidence of their involvement in any illegal activities. Among the most disturbing incidents was the execution of three artisans who had been sleeping at their worksite. The men, who were non-indigenes, including one who hailed from Soludo’s hometown, were dragged from their beds and executed without any opportunity to explain themselves or face proper legal proceedings.
One of the most fundamental principles of justice is that individuals should not be punished without being given a fair opportunity for interrogation and defense. In this case, however, the artisans were executed without any apparent attempt at establishing their guilt or innocence. Their brutal treatment raises the question: Shouldn’t suspects be interrogated and investigated thoroughly before any form of punishment is carried out? This disregard for due process not only undermines the justice system but also exacerbates fears that innocent individuals could be victimized by security forces operating without oversight or proper procedures.
Furthermore, the fact that these men were executed in a manner that seems to bypass any form of legal due process is indicative of a disturbing trend in the conduct of security operations. It appears that the security forces may have been more concerned with taking action rather than adhering to established legal protocols. The result is a situation where individuals who may have been innocent were subjected to extreme violence without any regard for their basic rights as citizens.
The concerns surrounding the security operation deepen with reports of harassment aimed at corps members, who are young Nigerians serving their country through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). According to eyewitnesses, the security personnel targeted a corps members’ lodge in the town, where they allegedly manhandled the young trainees. Only when the corps members identified themselves as part of the NYSC were they spared further mistreatment. However, even after the identification, the corps members were warned to leave the town immediately, with the security personnel stating, “Leave now, because we will return.”
As of today, no corps member remains in Owerre Ezukala, a stark indication of how the raid has instilled fear and forced young Nigerians to abandon their duties in the community. The fact that young individuals who are contributing positively to society were harassed and forced to leave raises a fundamental question: Why were these young trainees, who were simply fulfilling their national service, targeted by the security forces? The corps members were performing a civic duty, and yet they were made to feel unwelcome and unsafe by the very forces tasked with maintaining order and security in the region.
The treatment of the corps members is particularly alarming because it highlights the fear that has been instilled in the community by the security operation. When young Nigerians serving their country feel unsafe and are forced to flee, it sends a dangerous message about the environment of fear and intimidation that these operations can create. The actions of the security personnel in this instance have not only undermined the mission of the NYSC but have also contributed to the growing sense of insecurity in Anambra State.
In addition to the incidents involving the corps members and artisans, reports also indicate that a group of young men, who were simply waiting for tippers to load sand, were arrested by the security forces. These individuals, who were likely engaged in legitimate work, were detained without any reasonable explanation or evidence of criminal activity. There was no indication that any of these men were involved in criminal conduct, yet they were apprehended and subjected to treatment similar to that reserved for dangerous criminals.
The arbitrary nature of the arrests raises serious concerns about the clarity and focus of the security operation. It appears that the security personnel may have been targeting people who simply happened to be in the vicinity of the operation, rather than focusing on the actual criminals they were supposed to be apprehending. This lack of targeted action raises the question: Were these young men truly the intended targets of the raid, or were they simply caught in the crossfire of an operation that lacked direction and focus? The failure to provide any evidence of criminal activity, coupled with the absence of any recovered illegal items, only deepens suspicions about the integrity of the operation.
The absence of any recovered weapons or contraband is particularly telling. If the purpose of the raid was to dismantle a kidnappers’ den or remove criminal elements from the community, why was no significant evidence of criminal activity discovered? No firearms, explosives, or illegal materials were seized during the operation, and yet a number of civilians were arrested and paraded as criminals. This raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the raid and the manner in which the security forces carried it out.
According to official statements, the security forces were supposed to be targeting the UGM (Unknown Gunmen), who have been a persistent threat to the state and are suspected of being involved in various criminal activities, including kidnapping and armed robbery. However, despite the heavy-handed nature of the raid, there have been no reports of any confrontation between the security forces and armed criminals. No exchange of fire was reported, and no weapons were recovered from the individuals who were arrested.
The lack of a firefight and the absence of criminal evidence raise serious doubts about the true objectives of the operation. If the goal was to dismantle a kidnappers’ den or confront armed criminals, why was there no engagement with criminal elements? The failure to meet the primary objectives of the operation suggests that the raid may have been poorly planned or that the security forces did not effectively reach their intended target. Without a clear outcome or any evidence of criminal activity, the raid appears to have been little more than a show of force with no tangible results.
This situation has raised further concerns about the accountability and effectiveness of the Agunaechemba security outfit. If the security forces were unable to achieve their stated objectives and failed to engage with criminal elements, it calls into question their ability to carry out their duties effectively. Moreover, the raid’s failure to meet its goals underscores the need for a more strategic and targeted approach to tackling insecurity in Anambra State.
The Agunaechemba security outfit was formed with the aim of addressing the growing threat of criminality in Anambra State, particularly kidnappings, which have become an increasingly prevalent issue in the region. However, the recent events in Owerre Ezukala suggest that the operation may not have been properly executed and that certain individuals within the security forces may have been acting outside the bounds of their mandate.
Governor Soludo, along with his team of security advisers, must take immediate action to investigate the actions of the security personnel involved in the raid. There must be a thorough review of the operation, and those responsible for the unjust treatment of innocent civilians should be held accountable. The Governor must ensure that proper protocols are in place to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and that security personnel are clearly instructed on the limits of their authority.
Moreover, it is crucial that the role and responsibilities of the Agunaechemba security outfit are clearly defined. The public must have a clear understanding of the objectives of the outfit and the methods by which it will operate. Security forces must be held to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability, and any deviation from these standards must be addressed swiftly and decisively.
The events in Owerre Ezukala serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between security measures and the protection of civil rights. While the goal of combatting insecurity is important, it must not come at the cost of innocent lives and basic human dignity. The treatment of innocent civilians during the raid highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in security operations, especially those conducted by specialized security outfits like Agunaechemba.
It is essential that Governor Soludo takes swift action to ensure that those responsible for the wrongful actions during the raid are held accountable. Innocent civilians who were unjustly arrested, harassed, or executed must be released, and an independent investigation should be launched into the events surrounding the operation.
The public must also demand that the Agunaechemba security outfit be held to the highest standards of accountability and transparency. If the security forces are to be entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of the people, they must do so in a manner that respects the rule of law and upholds the fundamental rights of every citizen.
The security operation in Owerre Ezukala raises serious questions about the conduct of Soludo’s Agunaechemba security outfit. While the need to address criminality in Anambra State is undeniable, the heavy-handed nature of the operation and the treatment of innocent civilians have sparked widespread concern. The lack of clear objectives, the failure to engage with criminal elements, and the arbitrary arrests all point to a need for greater oversight, accountability, and transparency in security operations. Governor Soludo must act quickly to restore public trust and ensure that security forces are held to the highest standards of professionalism. Only through such efforts can we ensure that the security forces serve the public without infringing upon the rights and dignity of innocent citizens.
EXCERPT
Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo ‘s Agunaechemba invaded Owerre Ezukala, Orumba South LGA, Anambra state in the early hours of yesterday on a supposed raid of kid.napper’s den and pictures and videos have been flying around with wrong narratives.
The JTF of Soludo’s security outfit barged into houses, arresting innocent people. Saw three artisans (non indigenes and one of which was from Soludo’s town) who were sleeping in their work site, brought them out and keeled them. Aren’t suspects supposed to be interrogated before whatever penalties befall them?
They invaded the corper’s lodge in my town, manhandled the corper’s until they identified themselves as corpers and were let go, and told them to leave the town because they’d return. As we speak, no single corps member is in that town.
They saw a group of young men who are tipper loaders waiting for tippers and arrested them.
These go to raise a very pertinent question if all the people they’ve arrested or keeled are really the original target, or they’re using powerless civilians to meet target.
There was no exchange of fire.
No single weapon was recovered from any of them or a single exhibit, yet they were keeled and paraded as common criminals.
Is this a case of giving a dog a bad name to hang it?
The UGM they said they came to dislodge, they didn’t even get to wherever they said they were.
The original idea behind the formation of this security outfit is a welcome development as we are all tired of these boys taking over our dear state, but we must not allow bad elements infiltrate them.
I call on the Governor, and his team of security advisers to call their men to order and define to them what exactly their duties are. And demand that the illegally arrested innocent people be released forthwith.
#concernedcitizen
Source:
