Ten natives of Akwueke Umudim, Imezi Owa, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, including a 16-year-old female minor, have filed a suit before the Enugu State High Court challenging their alleged arrest and detention by military personnel.

The applicants are also contesting the alleged invasion of their community and destruction of properties said to have been carried out by soldiers on May 4 and May 6, 2026.

The suit, marked HR/547/2026, was instituted by Dominic Okafor, ThankGod Chikelu, Chidi Nosike, Chisom Okafor (a female minor), Ezeako Uwakwe, Ifeanyi Uwakwe, Chukwuka Uwakwe, Ndubuisi Chikelu, Anene Okafor and Okenna Okafor.

The respondents In the matter are the Nigerian Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Commander of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Enugu State Government and the Attorney General of Enugu State.

The applicants said the action was filed on behalf of themselves and other alleged victims of the military invasion and destruction of property in Akwueke Umudim.

In the suit filed on June 2, 2026, by human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor alongside nine other members of the legal team, the applicants urged the court to declare that the invasion of the community by armed soldiers and agents of the first to third respondents was unlawful, unconstitutional, oppressive and a gross violation of their fundamental rights.

According to the applicants, the operation allegedly resulted in abduction, arrest, detention, intimidation, assault, harassment and destruction of homes and personal properties belonging to residents of the community.

They argued that the arrest and continued detention of Dominic Okafor, ThankGod Chikelu, Chidi Nosike and the female minor were carried out without warrant, reasonable suspicion or arraignment before a competent court within the period prescribed by law.

The applicants further contended that the detention of the 16-year-old girl without access to her family, legal representation or medical care amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to constitutional and international protections for minors.

No hearing date has been fixed for the matter.

However, speaking on Friday, lead counsel to the applicants, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed that immediately after the court processes were served on the respondents, the detained female minor was released.

Ejimakor described the development as “the first sign of victory” for the applicants and expressed optimism that the respondents would remain law-abiding as the matter progresses.

The applicants also alleged that soldiers deliberately burnt and demolished ancestral homes, buildings and personal belongings without lawful justification, court order, due process or compensation.

They maintained that the actions amounted to unlawful compulsory acquisition of property and a violation of their constitutional rights.

The suit further accused the respondents of unleashing acts of intimidation, threats, harassment and indiscriminate violence on residents of the community.

Among the reliefs sought, the applicants asked the court to order the immediate and unconditional release of all detained persons unless lawfully charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.

They also requested an order compelling the respondents to disclose the whereabouts and condition of the detainees and grant them access to their families, lawyers and medical care.

The applicants further sought a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further arrest, intimidation, harassment or violation of the rights of residents of Akwueke Umudim.

In addition, they asked the court to order the respondents to pay compensation for the reconstruction of destroyed homes and properties, as well as tender a public apology to the applicants and the community through two national newspapers.

The applicants are equally seeking general, aggravated, exemplary and compensatory damages running into hundreds of millions of naira for alleged unlawful detention, emotional trauma, displacement and destruction of property.

Specifically, they asked the court to award N100 million each to the first, second and third applicants, N150 million to the female minor, and N120 million each to the fifth to tenth applicants as compensation for alleged destruction of ancestral homes, household properties and family heirlooms. (The Guardian)

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