The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for intercepting 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine worth an estimated N39 billion, while giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a three-week ultimatum to establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry into alleged human rights abuses in the South-East.

HURIWA, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, said the NDLEA’s seizure represented more than a law-enforcement success, describing it as a significant intervention that could prevent young Nigerians from being exposed to addiction, crime, violence and other consequences of drug abuse.

The association particularly commended the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and his operatives for what it described as an intelligence-driven campaign against international drug trafficking networks.

The commendation followed the arrest of alleged Nigerian cartel kingpin Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury,” who was reportedly intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to leave the country.

HURIWA said the operation demonstrated the growing capacity of the NDLEA to track drug shipments, identify those behind them and uncover international links extending to Europe and Asia. It urged the agency to sustain its campaign against drug cartels, clandestine laboratories, financial facilitators and local distribution networks.

It also called for stronger cooperation among the NDLEA, police, customs, financial intelligence agencies and foreign law-enforcement bodies, alongside improved funding, modern surveillance technology.

The group said the seizure should send a strong message that wealth, luxury lifestyles, social-media influence and international connections would not shield suspected traffickers from prosecution.

HURIWA, however, said its human rights concerns extended to the Federal Government’s handling of security operations in the South-East.

The organisation has given President Tinubu three weeks to establish an independent judicial commission to investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests, extortion and deaths in custody in the region.

It said it would engage Amnesty International and other rights organisations on the possibility of petitioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) if the government failed to take credible steps towards an independent investigation and accountability.

According to allegations cited by HURIWA from Amnesty International findings, at least 1,844 people were killed in the South-East between 2021 and mid-2023 amid violence involving non-state armed groups, state-backed outfits and security operations.

The group also raised concerns over allegations surrounding the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, in Imo State, including claims of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, extortion and deaths in custody.

HURIWA stressed that the allegations had not been established as facts and should not be treated as such without an independent investigation.

It said testimonies from families of missing persons were particularly troubling and should not be dismissed through official denials.

The proposed commission, it said, should investigate alleged killings and disappearances, detention conditions, torture, extortion, denial of legal access and unlawful arrests, while identifying victims and perpetrators and recommending appropriate remedies.

It also warned against the indiscriminate labelling of suspects as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) as justification for arrests or other abuses.

“If a person is suspected of terrorism, kidnapping, murder or any serious crime, arrest the person, investigate the allegation and take the person before a competent court. Do not replace prosecution with disappearance,” HURIWA said.

The organisation said its accountability campaign would also examine the role of the Imo State Government and Governor Hope Uzodimma, stressing that the demand for an inquiry did not amount to an allegation of guilt against the governor or any official.

It called on the National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Bar Association and civil society organisations to support the demand for an independent inquiry.

HURIWA said failure by the Federal Government to act within three weeks would trigger consultations with Amnesty International and other rights groups on taking the matter beyond Nigeria, including a possible ICC petition.