Security
By Anthony Isibor
THE International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, widely known as Intersociety, has accused the Nigeria Police Force in Imo State of compromising investigations into a series of alleged violent crimes linked to Chibuike Duru, popularly known as “Nwamgbenta,” and his alleged armed group operating in Atta, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, and Comrade Samuel Kamanyoku, the rights organization demanded the immediate reversal of Duru’s release by the Imo State Police Command and called for his re-arrest alongside members of what it described as a “Torture Chamber and Terror-Gang.”
According to the group, Duru and members of the alleged gang should face investigation and prosecution over accusations bordering on murder, attempted murder, torture, kidnapping, enforced disappearances, extortion, malicious destruction of property, and the operation of illegal detention camps since 2023.
The organization also alleged that senior officers within the Imo State Criminal Investigation Department undermined directives earlier issued by the Inspector General of Police regarding the case.
Intersociety also alleged that Duru was first arrested by the Imo State Police Command on May 14, 2026, but was released only hours later without what it described as a “detailed investigation.”
The group claimed that during the first arrest, a spokesperson attached to the command allegedly told a reporter that Duru was “one of our guys working for us” and also “works for politicians,” while advising complainants to withdraw the matter and seek compensation.
Dissatisfied with the handling of the case, petitioners, including the law firm of J.U. Ijeoma & Associates led by Barrister Justus Uche Ijeoma, reportedly returned to the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, prompting the withdrawal of the case file from the command’s Violent Crimes Response Unit and its reassignment to the Homicide Section of the State CID.
The matter was subsequently reassigned under Assistant Commissioner of Police Dan Iroakazi, with Superintendent Cosmos Anyanwu reportedly leading the investigation team.
Duru was re-arrested on May 21, 2026, according to the petitioners, but was again released on the evening of May 23 under what the group described as “controversial orders” allegedly linked to the state police leadership.
Intersociety alleged that celebratory gunshots rang out in Egwedu Autonomous Community, Atta, Njaba Local Government Area, following Duru’s release, creating panic among residents and witnesses connected to the case.
The group further claimed that threats had since been directed at survivors, witnesses, and petitioners involved in the investigation.
Allegations of Illegal Detention and Torture
Intersociety and petitioners accused Duru of operating an illegal detention facility disguised as a community security outfit in Egwedu community.
The group alleged that the suspect maintained a private militia equipped with prohibited firearms, including AK-47 rifles, and operated what it described as a “parallel justice system” in the area.
Citing findings by the Nigerian Observatory for Human Rights, the statement alleged that detainees were held inside a “human cage” at Duru’s residence, where victims were allegedly tortured, starved, and forced to pay large sums for release.
According to the report, bail fees allegedly ranged between ₦300,000 and ₦1 million, while relatives bringing food to detainees were reportedly charged ₦5,000 per visit.
Among the cases highlighted by the rights groups was the alleged killing of 37-year-old Chiedozie Awalie, said to have been arrested in November 2025 before later being killed and allegedly set ablaze.
The statement also referenced the death of 25-year-old Ifeanyi Nnadiemere, who allegedly died in detention in January 2026 after reportedly being accused of unauthorized transfers from his mother’s bank account.
Another alleged victim, Chinonso Moses Ejiofor, was said to have spent about 10 days in the detention facility before his release following intervention by a human rights lawyer.
The rights organizations claimed that several other persons remained in detention during the period.
Intersociety further alleged that Duru operated under the protection of influential political figures within Njaba Local Government Area.
The group claimed that the local government chairman appeared twice as a bail surety for the suspect during the two arrests in May 2026.
The organization also accused unnamed politicians of aiding the alleged gang and contributing to insecurity within Egwedu community and surrounding areas.
It further alleged that members of the group had relocated operations from Egwedu to the Njaba Local Government headquarters while continuing to function as vigilante operatives.
The statement additionally accused the gang of destroying community infrastructure, including 15 solar street lights allegedly damaged in 2024 because they obstructed the group’s nighttime activities.
Intersociety accused officers of the Imo State CID of commercializing and compromising the investigation process.
The group claimed that complainants and survivors spent more than ₦1.5 million during the course of the investigation, including funds allegedly paid as “mobilization” for investigating officers.
According to the statement, portions of the payments were allegedly made through POS operators outside police facilities and without official documentation.
The organization described the practice as part of a wider culture of corruption affecting criminal investigations across the country.
It warned that the handling of the case could undermine public confidence in law enforcement and discourage citizens from reporting violent crimes.
Intersociety said it was considering pushing for the withdrawal of the case from the Imo State Police Command and returning it to the office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja for what it described as a more credible and conclusive investigation.
The group maintained that under provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, suspects accused of grave violent offences could legally be remanded for up to 60 days pending investigation.
It also urged investigators attached to the Imo State CID’s Homicide Section to “sit up” or risk public exposure over the handling of the matter.
A.I
May 27, 2026
Tags: Barrister Justus Uche Ijeoma Chibuike Duru Chinonso Moses Ejiofor Cosmos Anyanwu CP Audu Garba Bosso Dan Iroakazi Emeka Umeagbalasi International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law