The spate of killings and insecurity in the Southeastern part of Nigeria is a matter of concern for the government and citizens alike. The military and other security agencies have been using excessive force in dealing with the unrest, and there have been reports of human rights abuses by the security forces.

The insecurity in the region is multifaceted, but it is largely driven by agitation for secession by some groups, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The group has been accused of carrying out attacks on security operatives and other civilians, while the security agencies have also been blamed for extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses.

On the 10th of August, 2022, there was an attack on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by Nigerian security operatives in Orlu, Oguta and Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The attack led to the death of some IPOB members including Chief Onyehalere Donatus who was a top member of the Indigenous of Biafra (IPOB) Led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB members were said to be holding a meeting when the Nigerian soldiers stormed the venue and opened fire on them without provocation, leading to several deaths and injuries. According to the IPOB spokesperson, the security operatives were a combined team of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services(DSS) who stormed the venue of the meeting heavily armed with armored tanks and other military vehicles and dangerous weapons.

According to the IPOB’s spokesperson, the body of Chief Onyehalere Donatus who until his death was a top member of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead and was deposited in the mortuary.

Following the erroneous attack on the nuclear family of the Late Chief days after his burial on the 30th of December 2022, the Nigerian Army succeeded in killing four of the slain Chief’s sons in a subsequent attack. The wayabout of some members the slain Chief’s remaining children is unknown as at the time of filing this report.

It will be recalled that the IPOB agitation is borne out of the marginalization of the people of the South-eastern region of Nigeria by the government led by Gen. Mohammadu Buhari(Rtd).

A villager who was interviewed by our reporter said that it is indeed obvious that the army wants to wipe out the entire family of the late Chief considering their body language.

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of other members of the slain Chief’s children remain unknown as they have all ran away for their lives since they have been tagged IPOB(indigenous people of Biafra) activists by the Nigerian Army.