February 8, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Residents of Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State have accused the Nigerian military and allied security forces of excessively detaining virtually every male adult in the area during a prolonged security operation — allegations that have intensified concerns over the conduct of the ongoing deployment in the southeastern state.
The security deployment, which was officially launched in late January following a communal conflict and violent clashes in neighbouring communities, was intended to restore peace and prevent reprisals after deadly clashes over land disputes. But many residents now describe the operation as punitive and indiscriminate, saying soldiers and task-force operatives have gone from house to house arresting and detaining men regardless of alleged involvement in hostilities.
According to a statement from civil society group Advocates for Good Governance, which is representing displaced and aggrieved villagers, the task force comprising army units alongside police and other agencies has effectively rounded up male residents, including those with no proven connection to earlier violence. The group characterised these actions as “collective punishment” that has left families without breadwinners and deepened displacement.
The operation followed reports of communal violence in late January, including attacks in Okporojo and surrounding villages, where earlier clashes reportedly claimed several lives and saw homes burned amidst longstanding land disputes. The military has argued its presence aims to stabilise the region after those incidents, but villagers say the sweeping detentions have fuelled fear rather than reassurance.
Eyewitnesses and community leaders said the detained men range from youths to older adults, and many families have been unable to ascertain the whereabouts of loved ones taken during early morning and evening sweeps. Some displaced Amasiri residents have fled into bushland or to neighbouring towns, citing a collapse of normal life and livelihoods amid the crackdown.
Ebonyi State authorities and the Nigerian Army have yet to publicly address these specific allegations of widespread arrests, though they have previously defended the broader deployment by insisting troops are working professionally to quell unrest and protect civilians. The army’s official social media accounts noted that operations in the area seek to prevent further violence and safeguard communities affected by the initial clashes.
Local advocates and rights groups are now calling for clear communication and transparent accountability from security forces, as well as humanitarian access for displaced residents. They warn that perceptions of heavy-handed tactics could exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them, and have urged state and federal authorities to ensure due process for anyone detained in connection with the unrest.