Family Renews Appeal for Information on Missing IPOB Member Eight Years After 2017 Arrest
The family of Mr. Onyemawa Nnabuike Francis has renewed calls for the Nigerian security forces to clarify his whereabouts, eight years after he was reported missing following a 2017 security operation in the South-East.
Nnabuike, said to be an Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB/ESN, member and branch commander from Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, was among 130 people arrested on 17, September 2017 in Amawom Oboro. The arrests were made during an operation codenamed “Python Dance” conducted jointly by security forces against IPOB.
According to the family, Nnabuike was later released with the assistance of two retired military officers, Colonel Steven Akobundu and Major Awa, after being allegedly beaten and detained.
They added that the then Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Ebere Amaraizu, had stated at the time said that those arrested were taken into custody for allegedly engaging in unlawful procession and displaying proscribed items.
He said statements had been obtained and that suspects would be charged to court, adding that no firearms or weapons were recovered.
The family says he went missing again on 30 May 2018, when security forces reportedly searched for him during a protest held by IPOB to mark what the group calls “Biafra Day.”
Burnt down house of Mr. Nnabuike
His family alleged that his house was set ablaze during the incident, injuring the father Pa. Onyemawa Emelanka, while his location has remained unknown since then.
“Since then his whereabouts have not been established, and we are appealing to the police or any security agency holding him to release him to us, alive or dead,” said Pa Onyemawa, head of the family.
Pa. Onyemawa
IPOB was proscribed by a Federal High Court in Abuja in 2017, which declared its activities acts of terrorism. The Defence Headquarters had also designated the group a terrorist organization that year.
The Nigeria Police have previously stated that IPOB has no legal authority to issue sit-at-home orders and have pledged to ensure law-abiding citizens can carry out their activities without intimidation.
Attempts to get an updated response from the police and military on the case were unsuccessful as of press time.
The case adds to longstanding concerns raised by civil society groups over missing IPOB members linked to security operations in the South-East between 2017 and 2018.