The Association of Igbo Town Unions, ASITU, has taken its grievances to the international stage, petitioning the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as the “systematic demolition” of properties belonging to Igbo traders and investors in Lagos State.

Addressing journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, the National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, decried the continued targeting of Igbo-owned businesses and structures, alleging that the actions amounted to “economic cleansing.”

Diwe lamented that Nigeria was “gradually dying from the cancer of ethnic discrimination and selective justice,” accusing government institutions of failing to uphold fairness and equality.

Flanked by members of ASITU’s national executive council drawn from various Igbo communities, Diwe explained that the petition followed multiple unsuccessful attempts to engage with relevant Nigerian authorities.

“We have not lost faith in Nigerian institutions, but they have consistently failed to respond to our documented complaints. That is why we have turned to regional and international bodies for intervention,” he stated.

The ASITU president faulted the Lagos State Government’s justification that the affected buildings were constructed on waterways, describing it as a misleading claim designed to mask deeper biases.

“These properties were lawfully acquired and duly approved by relevant agencies. Such demolitions send a disturbing message to investors, that property rights in Nigeria are insecure and that ethnicity may determine how justice is applied,” Diwe asserted.

He argued that the destruction of legitimate businesses not only discourages investment but also threatens job creation, economic stability, and Nigeria’s international image as a country governed by the rule of law.

According to ASITU, most of the demolition notices were served just days before enforcement, denying property owners the opportunity to seek legal remedy.

The group also accused officials of disregarding valid approval documents submitted by affected traders.

“Many of these buildings had valid permits issued by the same Lagos State Government that later tore them down. This is not law enforcement. It is the deliberate erasure of livelihoods and a violation of constitutional guarantees of equality and justice,” Diwe said.

While urging those affected to remain calm and law-abiding, ASITU called on the Igbo business community to rechannel part of their wealth into the South-East to foster economic independence.

“To our brothers and sisters in business, do not lose hope. Let us embrace the philosophy of Aku Ruo Ulo, let wealth return home,” Diwe advised. “When we invest in our homeland, we create jobs, security, and dignity for our people.”

He clarified that the association’s call for justice was not an agitation for secession but a demand for fairness, mutual respect, and equitable treatment of all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

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The Imo State Government has rescued a widow, Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, from the hands of her husband’s kinsmen who forced her to drink from the water used in bathing the corpse of her husband to prove her innocence over his death.

The incident, which took place at Awo-Omamma in Oru East LGA of the state, attracted the attention of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare through an alarm raised by a women advocacy group that exposed the action of the said kinsmen.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, condemned the action, which she described as an inhuman widowhood practice that has become outdated.

The Commissioner expressed shock that such a practice still exists in the present-day society, where a widow, who is already undergoing the trauma of losing her husband, would be coerced by her late husband’s kinsmen to partake in a ritual involving drinking from the water used in bathing his corpse.

She frowned at the act, describing it as barbaric, cruel, and completely unacceptable in a civilized society.

In her reaction, the wife of the state governor, Chioma Uzodinma, directed that an immediate and comprehensive investigation be carried out to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.

According to our correspondent, the widow, who was detained with her husband’s corpse, was accused by her in-laws of being responsible for his death.

Her husband’s family, as it was gathered, allegedly tried to compel her to drink from the water to prove her innocence, but the swift intervention of the Commissioner, the Local Council Authority of the area, and security agencies halted the attempt following the alerts raised by the women’s group.

Lady Ugwu informed that the Ministry’s action, in collaboration with the Chairman of the Local Council and some Non-Governmental Organisations, facilitated the rescue of the widow and her children, as she confirmed that some arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

“Normalcy has been restored, and a detailed investigation is underway. Mrs. Ndubuisi and her children are under government protection,” the Commissioner added.

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The Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and Retired Army Captain, Ambassador Abdullahi Bokaji Adamu, has said that the recent sack of Nigeria’s service chiefs has sent mixed feelings across the North, as many people in the region are watching closely to see whether the replacements will reflect fairness and balance.

In an exclusive interview  on Sunday, Adamu who is also a retired captain described the President’s decision as both political and strategic, noting that while it signals readiness to make tough decisions, it also raises deeper questions about political motives and internal power struggles.

“In my opinion, the recent sack of the security chiefs may have been influenced by several factors. Officially, it could be linked to the government’s desire for improved performance and new strategies to address persistent insecurity,” he said.

“However, behind the scenes, there may also be political undertones or internal power struggles within the system.”

According to him, some Nigerians believe the decision might be connected to a suspected attempted coup or internal realignments within the military hierarchy.

Although such claims remain unconfirmed, he said they reflect the level of mistrust and political complexity surrounding security leadership in the country.

“In Nigeria, politics is deeply rooted in every major decision, including security appointments. It has almost become a tradition that each administration prefers to work with people from its own region or political circle,” he noted.

“Unfortunately, this practice often undermines fairness and merit, as the most qualified or experienced officers are sometimes overlooked in favor of political loyalty or regional interests.”

Ambassador Adamu said while the sack of the service chiefs shows that the President is ready to act decisively, it has created mixed emotions in the North.

“Many in the region are watching closely to see if the replacements will reflect fairness and balance,” he said.

“Fortunately, the new appointments appear regionally balanced, with two out of the four new service chiefs coming from the North. This has helped to reduce tension and suspicion.”

He added that the North is now waiting to see results, not promises.

“The North’s confidence in the federal government will depend largely on results. For years, northern communities have borne the brunt of banditry, insurgency, and kidnappings. People are no longer moved by speeches, they want peace, stability, and safe roads.”

The IHRC Director also noted that Nigerians have long observed that the government reacts quickly only when the elite are affected.

“There have been many occasions when innocent citizens were killed, but no decisive action was taken. Now that the leadership itself has been directly affected, the sack came immediately. This makes people feel that the government only acts fast when the powerful are touched,” he said.

“This perception must change if the government truly wants to earn public trust.”

Ambassador Adamu acknowledged that the former Army Chief and his team did their best under difficult conditions but were limited by systemic problems.

“It’s important to remember that even the Chief of Defence Staff once said that a significant percentage of the security solution lies in the hands of the government, not just the military,” he recalled.

“That statement alone highlights the challenges faced by the security chiefs, limited political will, inadequate funding, and weak inter-agency cooperation.”

The human rights advocate urged the newly appointed service chiefs to adopt a broader and more people-focused strategy.

“The new security chiefs must understand that military force alone cannot end insecurity. They need to combine force with intelligence, dialogue, and community participation,” he advised.

“They should work closely with state governments, traditional rulers, and local vigilantes to build trust and cooperation.”

He, however, warned that true change would take time unless the government supports them with freedom and resources to act effectively.

“As long as Nigeria continues to face indirect forms of political and economic control, our security system will remain limited in effectiveness,” he said.

“Their success will depend on how much support and cooperation they receive from the federal government.”

Ambassador Adamu concluded that while the sack of the security chiefs is commendable, the government must prove that such actions are not driven by politics.

“What the North and indeed all Nigerians want is peace, justice, and inclusion, not favoritism or hidden agendas,” he said.

“If handled with sincerity and fairness, these changes could bring the positive results Nigerians are yearning for. But if politics continues to overshadow merit, the cycle of insecurity will persist.”

Recall that President Bola Tinubu sacked the service chiefs in a sweeping overhaul of the country’s military leadership.

The presidency said on Friday, that it is part of efforts to strengthen national security.

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