The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused Imo State and local authorities of “an unconscionable leadership failure” over their handling of the recent killings in Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Council.

In a statement yesterday, the group’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said it was “shocking and cruel” that, weeks after the massacre, victims’ families had received no official relief or detailed restitution plan from the state government, Ideato North Local Council, or the zonal senator’s office.

Onwubiko noted that although Governor Hope Uzodimma had promised arrests and compensation, “there has been no on-the-ground visit to Arondizuogu announced by the government house or any published relief package specific to the affected communities.”

Meanwhile, the member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, visited the community, met bereaved families, and released N5 million in cash assistance on the spot while launching a broader support fund.

HURIWA also questioned why no portion of the N453 million received by Ideato North Council in June 2025 from the federation account had been transparently earmarked for emergency response, trauma care, or direct support to victims’ families.

The group criticised the absence of the senator representing the area, saying, “The people needed their senator present, not emissaries,” and urged him to disclose any support provided and publish a timeline for engaging the affected community.

Calling for investigations, HURIWA asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to scrutinise how local council funds are being used across Imo, citing the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling that the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations be paid directly to local council accounts to improve accountability.

It said residents had likewise not seen a meaningful presence from the Ideato North council leadership, challenging the council to publish a transparent accounting of its June and July expenditures, including any relief, security, or social welfare outlays.

The association further urged Governor Uzodimma to visit Arondizuogu and unveil a detailed relief and security plan with clear timelines and budgets, and called on the Ideato North Local Council to publish its FAAC inflows and expenditures since June.