Military Operations in Ebonyi Village Spark Humanitarian Concerns

A deepening security crisis in Amasiri, a community in Ebonyi State’s Afikpo North Local Government Area, has drawn significant attention following allegations of widespread detentions by the Nigerian military.

In an emotional video shared on social media, a woman from Amasiri claimed that military operations have led to the arrest of most of the community’s youths and adult males, leaving the village “practically deserted.” She stated residents have been forced to flee.

The crisis stems from violent clashes linked to a long-running land dispute with the neighbouring Oso Edda community. The situation escalated in late January after an alleged attack in Okporojo village, Edda LGA, where four residents were beheaded and homes were burned.

In response, the Ebonyi State Government imposed a stringent 20-hour curfew on Amasiri, closed schools, and dissolved the community’s traditional and political leadership structures. These measures have generated mixed reactions locally.

Residents and civil society groups have strongly condemned the military’s actions, describing them as an invasion and calling for an independent investigation into alleged abuses, including arbitrary arrests and property destruction. A petition from human rights advocates labeled the situation a “humanitarian and constitutional crisis.”

The Nigerian Army has defended its presence, stating that troops were deployed as part of a joint security operation to protect residents, enforce the curfew, and pursue those responsible for the initial violence. The Army emphasized that the operation is intelligence-led and targets criminal elements, not civilians.

While authorities maintain the intervention is necessary to restore order, residents report that the scale of arrests has created widespread fear and displacement. The situation has intensified calls for greater dialogue, community engagement, and clearer accountability from both state authorities and security forces as the crisis continues.