The Department of State Services (DSS) has released three men, Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba, and Ifesinachi Eze, who were detained on October 27, 2024, on allegations of involvement with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The trio was also accused of the killing of seven herders, charges that have now been deemed baseless, leading to their release and reunion with their families.
The DSS, in a statement, confirmed that the release followed a thorough review of the case, which revealed insufficient evidence linking the men to IPOB/ESN activities or the alleged crime.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that the agency has initiated a broader review of 20 similar cases involving alleged IPOB/ESN affiliations to ensure justice and prevent wrongful detentions.
The men’s release has been met with cautious optimism by human rights groups, who have long criticized the Nigerian government’s handling of IPOB-related cases.
Amnesty International and other organizations have previously documented allegations of extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests targeting suspected IPOB members in Nigeria’s southeast, particularly since the escalation of violence in 2020.
IPOB, designated as a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government in 2017, has been at the center of a contentious conflict with security forces, with both sides accusing each other of unprovoked attacks.
The case of Udemba, Udemba, and Eze has drawn attention to the broader issue of alleged human rights violations in the southeast, where the push for Biafran independence has fueled tensions.
The DSS has not disclosed further details about the review process or the status of the other cases under consideration.
As the situation develops, observers are calling for dialogue between the government and southeastern leaders to address the root causes of unrest, including economic disparities and political alienation, to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
