By Emmanuella Oghenetega
ActionAid Nigeria, in collaboration with its state partner, the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) has expressed deep concerns over the increasing security crisis in Abor Isiala, a community in Eha Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.
This has led to massive displacement, loss of lives, destruction of farmlands and homes, and severe human rights violations.
In a statement signed by ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, ActionAid called on the Nigerian government, security agencies, and humanitarian organisations to take immediate actions to restore peace and provide urgent relief to affected individuals, as it stated, that the latest attack left at least 30 people dead, over 300 affected, forcing them to flee their homes, disrupting livelihoods, education, and social cohesion.
“The attack, which began in 2022, saw the involvement of armed herdsmen which led to repeated waves of violence, killings, and destruction of farmlands, leaving the community in dire need of urgent intervention.
“Specifically, the attacks have resulted in:
Displacement of families: Over 7,000 residents have fled to neighboring communities and cities such as Awka, Enugu, Abuja, and Imo, leaving behind their homes and farmlands.
“Education disruption: 1,064 children are currently out of school due to the insecurity, with only 30% of children able to attend school amid fears of further attacks.
Loss of livelihoods: Farmlands, which are the backbone of the local economy, have been destroyed, pushing many into food insecurity.
“Gender-based violence: Reports confirm cases of rape and assault on women, compounding the suffering of already vulnerable groups.
“Collapse of local infrastructure: Schools, churches, and markets in Ogomugo and Mgbede have been damaged, further crippling the community’s recovery efforts.
Through the Local Rights Programme, ActionAid Nigeria has been actively working in Enugu State since 2021, across 10 communities, including Abor Isiala.”
According the Country Director, “Our interventions have focused on empowering local women’s rights organisations, combating harmful socio-cultural practices, addressing gender-based violence, providing educational support to children, and strengthening civic engagement with the government. Unfortunately, due to rising security challenges, our operations were scaled down in 2023 to only Isi-Uzo and Uzo Uwani LGAs.”
He further stated, that although the efforts of the government in deploying police officers to the community is appreciated, their presence however was short-lived, as they left after just one day.
“To truly restore normalcy, we urge the government to deploy more security personnel who are well-equipped and prepared to maintain peace in the affected communities.”
ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating:
“The security crisis in Abor Isiala has had devastating consequences on the community, affecting livelihoods, education, and safety.
The displacement of over 7,000 residents, the alarming number of out-of-school children, and the destruction of farmlands are indicators of a deepening humanitarian crisis. We call on the government to take decisive actions, including the immediate deployment of well-equipped security forces, investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, emergency humanitarian assistance, and reconstruction of critical infrastructure.
Addressing the root causes of this crisis is paramount to ensuring sustainable peace and security for the people of Abor Isiala.”
ActionAid Nigeria has therefore, joined her voice with other civil society organisations to call on the federal and state governments to take immediate steps to end the crisis by implementing the following actions:
Immediate deployment of well-equipped and sustained security forces to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among displaced residents.
Conduct a thorough investigation to bring perpetrators to justice and break the cycle of impunity; commence emergency humanitarian assistance with the provision of urgent food, shelter, and medical aid for displaced families, especially women and children; rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools, homes, and marketplaces to facilitate the return of residents and restore normalcy; organise dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure lasting peace.
The security crisis in Abor Isiala is a humanitarian emergency that demands immediate and sustained action from all relevant stakeholders. ActionAid Nigeria stands in solidarity with the affected community members and will continue to advocate for their safety, security, and well-being. The people of Abor Isiala cannot continue to live in fear and uncertainty. Immediate and decisive action is required to prevent further loss of lives and safeguard the future of the community.
