A human rights organization, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has called on the Enugu State Government to take immediate action to reconstruct homes destroyed by Nigerian Army personnel in Ime-Ezi community. In a press release signed by its Board of Trustees chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, the group emphasized that failure to address the situation could lead to legal action against both the military and the state.
Reports from Enugu indicate that soldiers, while conducting an operation to dismantle a camp of Biafran agitators, set fire to residential properties after being ambushed by armed individuals. The rights group dispatched a six-member fact-finding team to the scene, which confirmed that the military operation targeted criminal hideouts but resulted in civilian homes being burned.
Intersociety urged the government to collaborate with affected families to assess the damage and facilitate rebuilding. The statement read: “The Enugu State Government must engage with the innocent victims whose houses and valuables were destroyed, with the aim of auditing, rebuilding, or replacing them.” It further warned that if compensation and apologies are not provided, the victims may resort to suing the Army’s 82 Division and the state government for damages.
The organization also called for an end to what it described as “IPOB/ESN-phobia” within security operations, urging the Nigerian Army to avoid labeling entire communities due to the actions of non-state actors. Additionally, Intersociety demanded the unconditional release of individuals arrested during the operation, insisting they be produced alive and in good health.
According to the group, the military must adopt a more human rights-respecting approach in the South-East, moving away from discriminatory practices. The statement concluded by stressing the importance of preventing future incidents and ensuring accountability for the destruction of civilian property.