“In the latest killing spree which we have substantially investigated, most or 99% of those killed and labeled by soldiers and police in Anambra, Imo and others are members of the defenseless civilian population. Also 99% of the official security information or reports given about their killing are highly questionable, if not totally false. Textual information regarding their killing or arrest or parading are also expertly fraught with inescapable loopholes.

For instance, the reported killing by the Anambra State Police Command of “four sit-at-home enforcers”, “two ESN gang members at Umunze” and “two ESN gang members at Aguata”, etc, is riddled with falsity and inconsistencies. At Umunze, it was investigated and found that police stormed the Nkwo Umunze Market area hours after members of an armed fighting party had violently sacked traders in the area and destroyed some motorcycles over Monday sit-at-home. Police team had stormed the scene and opened fire, shooting terminally in different directions leading to death of two passersby and scores of violent arrests.

The Police later tagged them “ESN Members”. Police also stormed Amesi-Umuchu-Umunze Road in Aguata on Monday, 16th May, 2022, hours after members of a fighting party said to be ‘ESN’ had violently dispersed students taking WAEC exams at the Christ Redeemer College, Amesi and opened fire, terminally shooting in different directions leading to killing of two defenseless citizens including one Citizen Monday Ala and a cyclist. The two slain defenseless citizens also had their motorcycles burnt to ashes by the police. Citizen Monday Ala who hailed from Lokpa-Nta in Abia State had lived in Amesi for 25 years and was into furniture occupation.

He was riding to a nearby Chemist store to get some malaria drugs when he was killed by police team who also fired deadly shots to prevent his family and well wishers from recovering his body. The police team later stormed Afor Ezinifite Roundabout where they arrested scores of traders and passersby. The two dead defenseless citizens were later tagged “ESN/IPOB hoodlums”. Same was the case with the killing by police of the so called “four sit-at-home enforcers at Ogidi in Idemmili North Local Government area of Anambra State”. The “medicine-after-death” killing had taken place several hours after late Sunday night/early Monday morning (15th/16th May 2022) attacks by armed fighting parties in the area.”— Human Rights Watch