Massacre of 14 and Abduction of 20 by Nigerian Army-Allied Militia in Imo State

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) strongly condemns the July 18, 2022, massacre of 14 natives and friends of Otulu Community in Imo State by the Nigerian Army-allied militia, Ebubeagu Government Militia. The massacre occurred in Awo-Mama Community, Oru East Local Government Area, while the victims were attending a traditional marriage. Not less than 20 young men were also abducted from a betting shop in Okwudor Community, Njaba Local Government Area, labeled as "Unknown Gunmen" and taken to unknown destinations.

Key Takeaways:

• The massacre of 14 civilians and abduction of 20 others occurred less than 24 hours after the release of an international documentary highlighting atrocities committed by the Nigerian Military and Ebubeagu Government Militia.
• In the past 20 months (October 2020-June 2022), soldiers of the Nigerian Military and their allies, including Ebubeagu Government Militia, attacked 150 communities in Eastern Nigeria, killing 1,360 defenseless citizens, burning or destroying 1,450 civilian homes, causing the loss of N57 billion worth of properties, and rendering 51,000 homeless.
• Imo State has borne the brunt of the atrocities, with at least 840 civilian deaths in 20 months, 80 communal invasions, and the burning or destruction of not less than 900 civilian homes.
• The Ebubeagu Government Militia, formed in April 2021 by Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, has been found to be a pro-Jihadist Herdsmen and anti-Eastern territory and population militia, responsible for several hundreds of abductions and disappearances, and thousands of property burnings, killings, and maiming.
• The militia's true colors and intent were unveiled months after its formation, and it has become a channel for formation, movement, and operation of fifth-columnist counterfeiters that masquerade as the Eastern Security Network.
• The anarchist and atrocious Ebubeagu Government Militia has fully aligned itself with lopsidedly composed and sectionalized Nigerian security forces to massacre defenseless Eastern citizens and destroy or burn or loot or pillage their properties with reckless abandon and impunity.

Statistics:

• 14 civilians massacred on July 18, 2022
• 20 young men abducted and taken to unknown destinations
• 1,360 defenseless citizens killed in 20 months
• 150 communities attacked in Eastern Nigeria
• 1,450 civilian homes burned or destroyed
• 51,000 rendered homeless
• N57 billion worth of properties lost
• 840 civilian deaths in Imo State in 20 months
• 80 communal invasions in Imo State
• 900 civilian homes burned or destroyed in Imo State

Sources:

• Intersociety
• International Documentary (released in USA and United Kingdom)
• Press release from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety)