Coalition Of Civil Society Organizations Condemn detention of Igboayaka

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) in Nigeria have unanimously, condemned the protracted incarceration of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) – Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka by the government of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, in the State Commissioner of Police, CP Anthony Uche-Anya.

The group amidst betterness, regretted that Igboayaka’s illegal arrest by the Governor was instigated by “his outspokenness to condemn the brutal killing of over fifteen (15) harmless Christian worshipers by Herdsmen at Amegu Nkalagha in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Sunday, 2 February, 2025”.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by presidents of various Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), ranging from; Comrd. Chilos Godsent – Igbo National Council (INC); Comrade Ifeanyichukwu – Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC); Comrd. Gonet Indigenous Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria (IEYLN); Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa- Nchekwa Ndi Obgenye Foundation; General Comrade Chisom Ogbuka- Africa Indigenous Movement (AIM);

Others were: Georgewill Enefa- Geotel Leadership and Citizens Development Center; Comrade Ayodele John* – Federal Workers Forum (FWF); Bartuka Lounye – Rivers Coalition; Human Rights, Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF).

The Coalition regretted that the Governor order than stand squarely in defense of his people whom he swore to protect, resorted to the abduction of the Igbo youth leader.

The release read in detail:

“Instead of Gov. Francis Nwifuru to rise in protection of Amegu Nkalagha community people he decided to mobilize the Anti Kidnapping Unit through the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to hunt, abducted, tortured and imprisoned the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council OYC who issued a Press Statement condemning the senseless killing of unarmed Community people.

“We are aware of the case of Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka vs the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police – CP Anthonia Uche-Anya will come up on Wednesday 26th February, 2025 at the Magistrate Court Abakaliki – Special CT 2.”

Continuing, the statement said: “In view of the above, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria hereby call on youths and people of Ebonyi State and South East Region to come out enmass to attend the Court Session in solidarity with the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council OYC – Comrade Igboayaka .O. Igboayaka.

The Coalition has, therefore, resolved to stand in solidarity with Comrd. Igboayaka in order to put an end to Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s tendencies of impunity and intimidation of activists and defenders of Human Rights in Ebonyi State and South East Region of Nigeria in the recent time.

Jointly Signed by:

Chilos Godsent – Igbo National Council (INC)

Comrade Ifeanyichukwu – Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC)

Comrade Gonet – Indigenous Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria (IEYLN)

Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa – Nchekwa Ndi Obgenye Foundation

General Comrade Chisom Ogbuka – Africa Indigenous Movement (AIM)

Georgewill Enefa – Geotel Leadership and Citizens Development Center

Comrade Ayodele John – Federal Workers Forum (FWF)

Bartuka Lounye – Rivers Coalition

Human Rights, Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF)