Tension In Anambra Over Return Of BAKASSI BOYS After 40 Persons Were Killed In 1 Month
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to take immediate action against the resurgence of the ” Bakassi Boys, ” a vigilante group that has been accused of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. The organization warned that failing to curb the group’ s activities could lead to a repeat of the violent incidents that occurred during the administration of former Governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju.
Intersociety has accused the group of being responsible for the deaths of at least 40 people in the past month and has called on the governor to ensure that law enforcement operates within legal boundaries. The organization emphasized that arrests and prosecutions should be conducted in line with the law and due process, rather than through unlawful killings or acts of brutality.
As part of its recommendations, Intersociety has urged the Anambra State government to conduct a full transformation of the Awkuzu Rapid Response Squad Police Headquarters. The organization suggested renaming the facility after two slain lawyers, Barnabas Igwe and Amaka Igwe, who were murdered in 2002 in what was widely believed to be a politically motivated attack. The killings led to a crackdown on the Bakassi Boys and the eventual disbandment of the group by the federal government.
In its report, Intersociety reminded the Anambra State government that security forces are only permitted to use lethal force in cases of direct armed threats, and even then, it must be proportional and justified. The group condemned the killing of unarmed individuals, describing such acts as crimes against humanity. It also warned against the use of abductions, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions as measures of law enforcement success.
The organization further alleged that some of the former members of the Bakassi Boys had been reabsorbed into the current administration, leading to a resurgence of unlawful activities, including false accusations, torture, and jungle justice. According to the report, properties worth billions of naira have been destroyed, and at least ten traditional religious sites, including two in Okija, have been set on fire, with their priests either arrested or missing.
To address these concerns, Intersociety has called on Governor Soludo to distance himself from individuals associated with the Bakassi Boys and to take decisive steps to prevent their return. The organization also recommended renaming Oraifite Street in Awada, near Onitsha, in honor of the slain lawyers and urged the governor to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force to reform the Awkuzu police facility.
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According to Intersociety, transforming the Awkuzu facility into a modern forensic and criminal investigation center would enhance crime detection and prosecution while eliminating brutality and human rights abuses. The organization suggested equipping the center with digital forensic technology and replacing officers with ICT- trained professionals who can conduct investigations in a transparent and lawful manner.
Intersociety stressed that these reforms would help restore public confidence in law enforcement and demonstrate the governor’ s commitment to upholding human rights and justice in Anambra State.
