The coalition in a statement issued on Thursday, regretted that Igboayaka was detained for speaking out against the brutal killing of over 15 Christian worshippers by herdsmen in Amegu Nkalagha, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, on February 2, 2025.

A coalition of nine civil rights organisations in Nigeria has condemned the incarceration of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC).

The coalition in a statement issued on Thursday, regretted that Igboayaka was detained for speaking out against the brutal killing of over 15 Christian worshippers by herdsmen in Amegu Nkalagha, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, on February 2, 2025.

"We are aware that Comrade Igboayaka's only 'crime' was to condemn the senseless killing of innocent citizens, and we will not stand idly by while he is persecuted for exercising his fundamental human rights," the coalition said.

Demanding Igboayaka's immediate and unconditional release, the coalition criticised Governor Francis Nwifuru for mobilizing the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to hunt, abduct, torture, and imprison Igboayaka, instead of protecting the vulnerable Amegu Nkalagha community.

"Igboayaka's case is set to be heard on February 26, 2025, at the Magistrate Court Abakaliki," the coalition revealed.

They, however, called on youths and people of Ebonyi State and the South East Region to attend the court session in solidarity with Igboayaka.

According to the statement, the coalition emphatically stated their resolve to stand in solidarity with Igboayaka to put an end to Governor Nwifuru's alleged impunity and intimidation of activists and human rights defenders in Ebonyi State.

The members of the coalition that signed the statement are: Chilos Godsent - Igbo National Council (INC), Ifeanyichukwu - Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Indigenous Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria IEYLN, Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa - Nchekwa Ndi Obgenye Foundation, Comrade Chisom - Africa Indigenous Movement (AIM), Georgewill Enefa - Geotel Leadership and Citizens Development Center, Comrade Ayodele - Federal Workers Forum (FWF), Rivers Coalition, and Human Rights, and the Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF).

On February 2, 2025, the Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State experienced a tragic attack by suspected herdsmen, resulting in numerous fatalities and the destruction of several homes.

In response to this incident, Igboayaka publicly condemned the killings.

Igboayaka revealed that the group’s Directorate of Intelligence had raised an alarm over potential insecurity in Ebonyi four days before the attack by herdsmen and bandits on the community.

He said findings indicated that Fulani herdsmen were expanding their presence in the state.

“Unfortunately, we have governors in South-East who are perceived as uncooperative regarding insecurity, demonstrating a lackadaisical attitude which has led to frequent incidents of killings, kidnapping, banditry, and arson in South-East,” the OYC said in a statement.

“Evidently, Gov. Francis Nwifuru has been ineffective in ensuring the safety of lives and properties in Ebonyi, raising concerns about his capacity, ability, and dedication to resolving the Fulani Herdsmen violence in Ebonyi State.”

Subsequently, on February 8, 2025, he was arrested in Owerri, Imo State, by officers from the Ebonyi State Police Command. The police stated that his arrest was based on a petition accusing him of disseminating false information capable of disrupting peace in Ebonyi communities.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has denied any involvement in Igboayaka's arrest, emphasizing his commitment to justice and the protection of citizens' rights.

The arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from various civil rights organizations and political parties.

Igboayaka's case is scheduled for hearing on February 26, 2025, at the Magistrate Court in Abakaliki. Supporters and activists have called for his immediate and unconditional release, urging the public to attend the court session in solidarity.