•Intersociety slams Imo CP over alleged foot-dragging on issue, condemns violent suppression of Monday sit-at-home in Anambra

By BONIFACE AKARAH

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has called on the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, to comply with a directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and dismantle an alleged violent criminal network operating in Atta, Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued Thursday in Enugu, the group said the directive, dated February 5, 2026, followed a petition alleging serial killings and other crimes linked to a gang reportedly led by one Chibuike Duru, also known as Nwangbenta. Intersociety urged the police to carry out a “thorough and conclusive” investigation, dismantle any criminal infrastructure, free alleged victims, and ensure perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

“The IGP’s investigative directive should be thorough and conclusive, and the den of the atrocious conducts must be dismantled… and the perpetrators and their sponsors exposed, identified, arrested and brought to book,” the statement said.

The organisation alleged that the network’s activities include murder, abduction, unlawful detention, torture, destruction of property, and intimidation of residents, while also accusing suspects of using claims of affiliation with armed groups as cover for criminal acts.

Intersociety further warned against any compromise of the investigation, stating that failure to execute the directive fully would amount to disregarding the Inspector General’s order.

Beyond Imo State, the group also criticised the Anambra State Government over what it described as violent enforcement and commercialisation of the Monday sit-at-home order, alleging harassment of traders and persecution of some school head teachers.

It claimed traders have faced intimidation, shop closures, and financial penalties linked to Monday business shutdowns, while questioning sanctions imposed on education officials over low school attendance. “How would a teacher or head teacher force parents to bring their children to school in a period of heightened insecurity?” the group asked.

Intersociety maintained that naturally ending sit-at-home disruptions is legitimate but argued enforcement must not involve coercion or punitive economic measures against residents and businesses.

The statement was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head of Intersociety; Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, Head of the Department of Campaign and Publicity; and Chibueze Nwajiaku, Deputy Head of the Policing and Law Enforcement Department.