By Media360impact
Fresh controversy has trailed the ongoing security operations in Amasiri community, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as critics raise constitutional and legal concerns over the scale and duration of the clampdown.
At the centre of the debate are claims previously referenced by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru regarding the discovery of shallow graves allegedly linked to a beheaded indigene of Akpoha. Observers are asking: when was this intelligence received, which agency generated it, and does a documented security report predate the military deployment to Amasiri?
The governor had also stated that arrested suspects led security operatives to the alleged graves. Critics argue that if suspects are in custody and have made statements, they should be formally charged before a court of competent jurisdiction rather than the wider community facing prolonged restrictions.
Legal analysts note that under Sections 35 and 36 of Nigeria’s Constitution, suspects are entitled to due process, including arraignment within a lawful timeframe. Questions are therefore being raised about whether due process has been followed in the handling of those reportedly detained.
Another concern relates to collective responsibility. Did any suspect indicate that they acted on behalf of the entire Amasiri community? If not, critics ask what legal basis exists for measures that affect thousands of residents, including women, children, schools, businesses, and healthcare access.
After weeks of reported house-to-house raids, arrests, and curfews, civil society voices are calling for clarity on the evidence supporting the operation and whether independent forensic verification has been conducted.
There are also constitutional questions surrounding the dissolution of a development centre, school closures, and prolonged curfews. Observers are asking under which statutory authority these actions were taken, particularly in the absence of a formally declared state of emergency as outlined in the Constitution.
In addition, concerns have been raised about access to healthcare. Residents allege that health centres, pharmacies, and chemists are effectively shut, limiting access to essential medical services. Human rights advocates argue that even during security operations, humanitarian access should be preserved.
Some stakeholders have called for an independent judicial panel of inquiry with open and transparent proceedings to establish facts, assess the legality of actions taken, and determine accountability where necessary.
Supporters of the state government maintain that the measures are aimed at restoring order and ensuring security following violent incidents. However, critics insist that security enforcement must remain consistent with constitutional safeguards and must avoid actions that appear punitive toward civilians.
At its core, the unfolding situation in Amasiri raises broader questions about the balance between security operations and the rule of law in Nigeria’s democratic system.
The Ebonyi State Government has yet to issue a detailed public response addressing each of these specific constitutional concerns.
