Human rights advocates, including the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) and the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), have commenced detailed investigations into last week's reported invasion and house burnings at Imezi-Owa Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The actions have sparked reactions since they were carried out.
Joint Statement on Investigation
In a statement jointly issued by the leaders of Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and CLO in the southeast, Aloysius Attah, the organizations said they had carefully studied the official statements of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, independent reports, as well as verified videos and photos shared on social media. Consequently, a six-man team of field investigators from the organizations has been dispatched to Ezeagu since Tuesday, May 12, to conduct fact-finding.
Scope of Investigation
The statement noted that the involvement of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the incident is also under investigation. The field investigators are directed to locate the houses that were burnt or razed, identify their owners, determine why they were razed, who razed them, and where and when the razing occurred. The statement added, "We are also generally investigating the remote and immediate causes of such invasion and house burnings, including the possibility of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen instigation and involvement."
