By BONIFACE AKARAH

The reported recovery of 28 human skulls and other human remains from suspected criminal camps in forests in Abia State has prompted the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to call on the six South-East governors to unite and adopt a common strategy against insecurity in the region.

In a statement dated September 29, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the discovery in the Umuaku and Nneato forests of Umunneochi Local Government Area exposed the grave security threat confronting communities in the region and required urgent, coordinated action by the governors.

“The reported recovery of 28 human skulls and other human remains from suspected criminal camps in Umuaku and Nneato forests in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State demands urgent and coordinated action from the South-East governors,” HURIWA said.

The association urged the governors to develop a common regional security strategy targeting kidnapping, terrorism, armed criminal gangs and other violent threats, while strengthening intelligence sharing and coordinating operations to dismantle criminal hideouts.

HURIWA also called on the governors to provide security agencies with credible intelligence and the logistics required to sustain operations against criminal groups across the region.

The association linked the security crisis directly to the region’s economic prospects, warning that insecurity could undermine investment, employment and sustainable development by making residents afraid to travel, farm, conduct business or return to their communities.

“No region can attract investment, create jobs or achieve sustainable development when citizens fear travelling, farming, doing business or returning home because of insecurity,” the statement said.

HURIWA further urged the governors to ensure that armed vigilante groups operate strictly within the law and warned against their use as political instruments.

According to the association, community-based security groups could complement conventional security agencies, but should be subjected to clear rules of engagement, proper training, accountability and respect for human rights.

“Community-based security groups can complement conventional security agencies, but authorities must subject them to clear rules of engagement, proper training, accountability and respect for human rights,”** HURIWA stated.

The association also welcomed the prospect of state police, saying properly structured state policing could strengthen the capacity of governments to confront kidnappers, terrorists and other armed criminal groups. It, however, demanded constitutional and institutional safeguards to prevent political actors from abusing such structures.

“State police must protect citizens, not political interests,” HURIWA warned.

On the recovered human remains, the group called on the Abia State Police Command and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough forensic investigation, identify the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

It said the families of missing persons deserved answers and urged security agencies to pursue every credible lead capable of identifying the victims and bringing those responsible to justice.

HURIWA also appealed to residents across the South-East to support legitimate security operations by providing credible information about suspicious movements, criminal activities and suspected hideouts.

The association cautioned that the discovery of human remains should not become a temporary news story that disappears from public attention, urging sustained operations against criminal camps and stronger cooperation among governors, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents.

It ultimately called on the South-East governors to put aside political differences and work collectively to restore security and public confidence across the region.