The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, known as Intersociety, suggests that a significant number of Igbo youths are avoiding military service due to reports of disappearances linked to security forces in the South-East. A report issued alongside the Ekwenche Research Institute alleges that upwards of 6,000 Igbo families have been unable to locate relatives who vanished between January 2021 and July 2026. According to the document, roughly 70 percent of these individuals were last seen in military custody, while the remainder were reportedly held by the police or the Department of State Services.
Beyond these figures, the organizations claim that over 5,000 civilians linked to pro-Biafra demonstrations since 2015 remain missing. The report also highlights broader violence across Nigeria, stating that 299 Christians were killed and 213 abducted in July 2026 alone. Benue, Southern Kaduna, and Plateau states were identified as high-impact areas for these incidents. Additionally, the researchers detailed alleged attacks by armed herders on communities within Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi states.
While the report paints a grim picture of security operations and community displacement, government security agencies have yet to offer an official response to these serious allegations.
