A human rights group, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) has concluded its review of human rights situation in the South East states of the country in the outgoing year, declaring Enugu as the safest state to live in the region.

The report released in Enugu on Tuesday by CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo Esq, stated that while Enugu stands out as the safest state, Anambra emerged as the most dangerous state in Southeast Nigeria, “as cult war and killings continue to ravage the state capital Awka.”

A copy of the report made available to The Advocate Nigeria on Tuesday, reads: “In our review of the rights protection/violations and security of lives and property in southeast Nigeria, Enugu state stands out as the safest state to live in southeast Nigeria due to the human rights records of the present administration and the protection of lives and properties of the citizens.

“Ebonyi state closely follows in second position, while Imo maintains 3rd position, and Abia 4th position and Anambra, in 5th position, is the most dangerous state in Southeast Nigeria, as cult war and killings continue to ravage the state capital Awka, and the State governor seems helpless to provide security for the lives and properties of the citizens; even in the state capital on Thursday 24th October 2024, no fewer than six persons were killed near Nnamdi Azikwe University, School gate, Awka.

“To mention a few of these violations, recently, on Monday 16th December 2024, Dr. Fabian Osita, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikwe University was killed. To round up the year the Catholic priest of Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Rev Father Tobias Okonkwo, was killed on 26th December 2024. Killings in recent times in the Anambra State are not only worrisome but dangerous in a democracy.

“The indices used to assess the Human Rights standing of these 5 states are: (1) the Security situation in these states / the protection of lives and properties of the citizens (2) Rate of Human rights violations by state actors and (3). Rate of Conflicts/Confrontations between Security agencies and non state actors.

“Security is defined as “the state of being free from danger or threat”. So when we talk of security of lives and property in a state it means the citizens of that particular polity are enjoying the state of being free from danger or threat.

“Since the inception of the administration of Peter Mbah Esq. the security situation in Enugu state has tremendously improved as new security architecture has been put in place and a Command and Control Center put in place and vehicles to provide mobility for security agents.

“Furthermore the presence of the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army within the State cannot be overlooked as the joint security patrol by security agents has greatly created a city that could be referred to as the safest city in the country.

“Enugu is the only state where anybody can move around freely in daytime and at night without fear of attack by criminal gangs and hoodlums. This is a practical scenario not based on paper or theoretical assumption.

“The Human Rights violations in the state have reduced considerably due to government interventions in complaints of rights violations and the readiness of the State Police Command, particularly its State Criminal and Investigation Department (SCID), to promptly address some complaints of Rights violations brought to its’ attention.
Some of the interventions by the State are:

“On 11th January 2024, the State Government intervened and secure the release of Arinze Nelson Eze, an SS2 student in one of the secondary schools in the state, who was unlawfully placed in Police detention at the State Police Headquarters Enugu since 9th October 2023.

”Also in July 2024, the state government intervened in the case of rights violation of CHINEDU SAMUEL AJOGWU of Brosam and Sons International Venture, Ogige Market, Nsukka, Enugu State, who was appointed to collect haulage fees for the state government but was later declared wanted by the Police and was to be arraigned for Armed robbery.

“Furthermore the Rate of Conflicts/Confrontations between Security agencies and Non state actors in both Enugu and Ebonyi State has reduced considerably to isolated cases. Cases of killings of security agents have become things of the past.”

On Anambra state, the organization submitted that “the situations, events and activities in Anambra state portend danger to Human Rights and Democracy Nigeria and the State governor should wake up to his responsibility to protect lives and properties of the citizens of the state.”

“ The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the killing of seven persons at Ihiala yesterday. We also commiserate with the families of seven innocent citizens who were murdered in cold blood yesterday 30th December 2024, at Umuike, Ubahuekwem, Ihiala, in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The first son of the family a successful businessman based in Portharcourt, who had come in preparation for the burial of his aged mother slated for January 3rd 2025, was murdered in his compound alongside four well wishers and two security men,” CRRAN lamented, pointing out that “the basic and most important human right is the right to life without which other rights cannot be achieved.”