A heartbreaking incident in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State has left Faith Sunday Frank and her two children, Bright Sunday (13) and Chiwendu John Frank (14), in perpetual fear and hiding. Faith’s ordeal began on August 13, 2023, when her partner, Orji O. John, was brutally killed by the Nigerian Army during clashes with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The soldiers also burned down their house, rendering Faith and her children homeless. Since then, Faith and her children have been in hiding, constantly moving from place to place to avoid detection by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies deployed by the federal government.
Friends and family have been searching for her, but she has been forced to remain in hiding due to the ongoing violence. A neighbor, who pleaded anonymity, spoke to our reporter about the incident, stating, “The Nigerian Army accused Orji of being a strong member of IPOB and brutally murdered him. This has further exacerbated Faith’s perilous situation.”
Efforts to speak with the military commander proved abortive at the time of filing this report. The incident highlights growing concerns about human rights abuses and violations in the region, particularly against civilians caught in the crossfire.
Orji was a native of Awgu Local Government Area, where the clashes occurred. The Nigerian Army has been accused of destroying villages and displacing communities in its counter-insurgency campaigns, with allegations of international humanitarian law violations.
Notably, the Nigerian Army has faced previous allegations, including unlawful killings, such as the 2015 incident in Zaria city where over 350 people were killed, destruction of villages, and international humanitarian law violations.
These incidents underscore the need for greater accountability and protection of human rights in Nigeria. The international community and human rights organizations are urged to intervene and ensure that the Nigerian government protects the rights of its citizens, particularly in conflict zones.
The Nigerian government must investigate the incident, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide compensation and support to Faith and her children.