Families Solicit Amnesty International, Govt Intervention Over Detained Relatives

Representatives of persons detained by security agencies in Abia State have solicited the intervention of Amnesty International and the state government to secure their release.

The representatives led by Caroline Chukwuma, Chiwendu Chidiebere, and Onyebuchi among others made the plea during a human rights violations and accountability campaign in Umuahia, the Abia state capital yesterday.

Narrating the ordeal of the detainees at the event organised by Amnesty International for the South East, they said detainees’ rights and justice had been denied.

In his presentation, a representative of the disability community, Eze Orasi, said members had been facing challenges and human rights violations including missing without trace.

The state commissioner for youth and sports development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, thanked Amnesty International for speaking up for victims of human rights violations in Nigeria.

Represented by the special adviser to the governor on sports, Raymond Okwa, he said the government was committed to addressing security challenges and abuses against the citizens.

‎In her remarks, one of the organisers, Benedita Ofili, said it was aimed at educating and enlightening the public in the South East on human rights.

A researcher at Amnesty International, Maurice Chukwu, underlined the need for government’s accountability to the citizens and free access to justice.