The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) has petitioned the United State and other foreign missions in Nigeria seeking a travel ban on Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State for human rights violations by the state-backed security outfit Ebubeagu.
In a five-page letter signed by HURIWA’s country director Amina Mohammed, the group outlined the nefarious activities of the militia group and its numerous attacks on opposition politicians.HURIWA said it is seeking a visa ban on the governor for what it termed, his “barbaric use of the Ebubeagu militia to commit crimes against humanity.”
They solicited other foreign missions to vehemently deny Umahi or his family trips outside the Nigerian shores.HURIWA, who had earlier on addressed a World Press Conference, had said it would continue its campaign against the governor until he stopped using the private police, Ebube Agu, to intimidate citizens.
It also cautioned the nation’s security to beam its searchlight on Governor Umahi’s collusion with the body to cause harm to opponents, stressing the need to disband the outfit.
Background
The South East Security Network known as Ebubeagu was formed in December 2021 to address the rising insecurity in southeast Nigeria. The group however has become notorious for targeting opposition politicians, extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate arrests, and torture.
In October 2022, the Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Linus Okorie, was abducted by the Ebubeagu on his way to his residence in Abakaliki. The group denied the allegation after family and associates raised the alarm. However, 24 hours later, the Police and the State Government said the group arrested him and handed him over to the police. Mr. Okorie, a vocal critic of the State Government, was later arraigned in court and remanded in prison custody.
In January 2022, the spokesperson of the PDP in Ebonyi State, Chika Nwoba, was also abducted in Abakaliki by the same group. He was later charged to court and remanded in prison custody but was later released after pressure mounted on the State Government by Nigerians and rights groups.
