The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concern over the unresolved assassination attempt on Honorable Ikenga Ugochinyere, nearly three years after the violent attack in Akokwa, Imo State. The group criticized the Nigerian police for what it termed an indefensible failure to arrest or prosecute those responsible for the assault.
Unresolved Attack Raises Security Concerns
HURIWA stated that the continued lack of progress in the case exposes dangerous flaws within Nigeria's security and justice systems, fueling fears of political interference, institutional compromise, and selective law enforcement. In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the organization emphasized that it is unacceptable for armed men to allegedly invade the residence of a serving federal lawmaker, terrorize the community, kill a family member, destroy property worth millions of naira, and then disappear without any successful prosecution years later.
Allegations of Political Motivation
According to the group, Ugochinyere has repeatedly alleged that the attack was not an ordinary criminal incident but a coordinated political assassination attempt, allegedly masterminded by forces threatened by his outspoken political activities and opposition engagements. HURIWA noted that the lawmaker consistently maintained that heavily armed attackers stormed his family compound in Akokwa with the mission of killing him, but failed after he managed to escape. The association recalled allegations that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately within the compound, creating panic and chaos before killing the lawmaker's uncle during the operation.
Widespread Destruction and Impunity
The group further noted claims that the attackers vandalized and destroyed the lawmaker's personal vehicle and more than 30 other vehicles parked within the compound, in what observers described as one of the most brazen politically linked attacks in recent years in Imo State. HURIWA stated that despite the public outrage generated by the incident and the widespread destruction, security agencies have allegedly failed to identify, arrest, or prosecute any of the attackers or their alleged sponsors. The association argued that the silence and apparent lack of urgency surrounding the investigation continue to fuel suspicions among Nigerians that certain politically exposed crimes are being deliberately ignored or suppressed.
Warning on Growing Culture of Impunity
The rights group warned that the inability or unwillingness of the police to conclusively investigate such a high-profile attack has created the dangerous impression that powerful actors can perpetrate political violence without consequences. According to HURIWA, the unresolved Akokwa attack has become a symbol of a growing culture of impunity, where victims of political violence are denied justice while perpetrators allegedly roam freely. The group advised the Inspector-General of Police and the Imo State Police Command to avoid partisan politics and actions capable of undermining public confidence in the neutrality of law enforcement institutions. HURIWA stressed that the constitutional responsibility of the police is to protect lives and property, not to allegedly serve political interests while serious criminal cases remain unresolved.
Link to Broader Security Challenges
MEANWHILE, HURIWA linked the deteriorating security situation in the country to a recent report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which allegedly stated that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria. The group said the report paints a troubling picture of a country under siege by heavily armed non-state actors allegedly responsible for killings, kidnappings, mass displacement, destruction of communities, and coordinated attacks on vulnerable populations. The rights body warned that when politically exposed assassination attempts remain unresolved while armed groups continue expanding operations nationwide, citizens naturally begin to lose faith in the state's capacity to guarantee justice and security. It insisted that both the perpetrators and alleged sponsors of the assassination attempt on Ugochinyere must be identified, exposed, and prosecuted without fear or favor. HURIWA reaffirmed that democracy cannot thrive in an environment where political opponents allegedly become targets of violence while security agencies appear unable or unwilling to secure justice.
Attack on NDLEA Operatives Condemned
The association also condemned the recent attack on operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by suspected drug syndicates in Abuja, describing the incident as a dangerous assault on national security and law enforcement institutions. In another statement issued yesterday, Onwubiko expressed concern over what the group described as the growing wave of violent attacks against anti-narcotics officers across the country. He referenced the mob attack on NDLEA operatives during an enforcement raid in the Dawaki area of the Federal Capital Territory, where two officers, Ayegh Dooyun Zachariah and Shehu Jamil Ibrahim, reportedly sustained serious injuries. The injured officers are currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, following the attack, which reportedly occurred during an operation targeting a notorious drug enclave.
Risks Faced by Anti-Narcotics Officers
HURIWA said the incident highlights the increasing risks faced daily by NDLEA personnel in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse. According to the group, attacks on anti-drug officers should not be viewed as isolated criminal acts but as direct threats to Nigeria's internal security architecture and social stability. The association commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, for personally visiting the injured officers and assuring them of institutional support and medical care. It also praised the NDLEA management for providing medical support, commendation letters, and welfare packages to the affected officers, describing the intervention as necessary for boosting morale within the agency.
Proposals for Enhanced Security Support
HURIWA warned that Nigeria risks deeper insecurity if authorities fail to decisively tackle the activities of drug cartels and violent resistance against law enforcement agencies. The group proposed that families of officers killed in active service should receive substantial compensation, while injured personnel should enjoy lifetime access to quality healthcare and rehabilitation support. It also urged the National Assembly to begin legislative action compelling major corporate organizations to contribute part of their annual post-tax income to a proposed support fund for security personnel.
