South-East residents missing: Lawyers move to sue FG, governors and security agencies

A group of lawyers under Fiat Justitia says it will sue the Federal Government, the South-East Governors’ Forum and security agencies over South-East residents missing after alleged arrests, abductions and prolonged detention.

The lawyers announced the planned legal action in Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday.

They also named the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force and Department of State Services, DSS, among those they intend to challenge in court.

Speaking at the Correspondents Chapel office in Umuahia, Fiat Justitia representative Adekoye Segun said many people arrested during security operations in the region had not been accounted for.

He alleged that some people accused of belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, remained in detention without being produced in court or released to their families.

According to him, some residents allegedly disappeared after midnight raids by security agencies. He claimed some detainees were transported to military detention facilities outside the South-East.

Adekoye specifically mentioned the Wawa detention facility in Niger State. He said the lawyers would ask authorities to explain why suspects were allegedly held for long periods without appearing before civilian courts.

“We will demand that they account for every missing person in the South-East,” he said.

The lawyers said they represent families of people who remain missing, abducted or presumed dead.

They also referred to incidents including security operations in Aba, Operation Python Dance in Umuahia and the Nkpor killings.

However, the allegations have yet to be tested in court, and the security agencies named have not, in the information provided, responded to the claims.

Fiat Justitia said it had compiled a list of 80 people allegedly missing, abducted or presumed dead.

The group said it had gathered affidavits, photographs, testimonies and medical reports from families and survivors.

The lawyers now plan to present the evidence before the court as they seek answers over the fate of South-East residents missing from their families.