Governor Soludo Must Stop Resurgence of ‘Bakassi Boys’ in Anambra After 40 Killed in One Month – Intersociety

A civil society group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has raised the alarm over the resurgence of the dreaded vigilante group known as the ‘Bakassi Boys’ in Anambra State. The group has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to take immediate action to curb their activities and prevent a repeat of past human rights abuses.

Intersociety warned that the return of the Bakassi Boys could lead to a wave of extrajudicial killings and other atrocities, similar to those that marred the tenure of former Governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju. The organization accused the vigilante group of being responsible for the killing of at least 40 people and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira in the past month alone.

The group further called on Governor Soludo to launch a forensic transformation of the Awkuzu Rapid Response Squad Police Headquarters. It recommended renaming the facility after two slain lawyers, Barnabas Igwe and Amaka Igwe, who were victims of political violence in 2002.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Intersociety urged the governor to pursue suspected criminals within the limits of the law and ensure that law enforcement agencies respect due process. The organization emphasized that state security forces should only use deadly force under strict conditions, warning that extrajudicial executions amount to crimes against humanity.

The statement also highlighted past atrocities linked to the Bakassi Boys, including the beheading of an unidentified young man near the Anambra Government House in the presence of international human rights activists. Intersociety noted that local and international human rights groups had documented numerous cases of abuse by the vigilante group.

It further alleged that at least ten traditional religious sanctuaries had been destroyed and their priests arrested or abducted, while pastors and prophets had been threatened. The organization warned that these actions violate the 1999 Constitution and international human rights treaties.

Calling for immediate reforms, Intersociety urged Governor Soludo to officially rename Oraifite Street in Awada, Onitsha, after the slain lawyers and convert the notorious Awkuzu SARS facility into a modern police forensic headquarters. It suggested that the facility be equipped with advanced digital technology and staffed by ICT experts to improve crime detection and investigation in the state.

The organization concluded that such reforms would justify the governor’s security expenditures and establish him as a leader committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law.