In Enugu, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, known as Intersociety, has highlighted a growing reluctance among Igbo youths to join the Nigerian military. This hesitance is attributed to fears surrounding the alleged disappearances of individuals in the South-East, particularly under the custody of security personnel.
A report released by Intersociety in collaboration with the Ekwenche Research Institute in the United States claims that over 6,000 families in the region are currently unable to locate relatives who reportedly went missing while in security custody from January 2021 to July 2026. The organizations’ findings extend beyond disappearances to include significant civilian casualties during this period, citing instances of abductions and killings attributed to both jihadist groups and state actors.
According to the report, at least 299 Christians were killed and another 213 abducted across Nigeria in July 2026 alone. These incidents have often been linked to Islamic jihadist threats in various states, including Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna. The report details specific regions impacted, noting that the majority of reported deaths occurred in Benue and Southern Kaduna.
The concern over safety is further echoed in the report’s claim that around 11,000 families in the South-East have experienced similar issues regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones, with an estimated 70% of these disappearances being associated with military operations.
Additionally, the report raises alarms over security operations leading to the deaths of over 11,000 civilians in the region since 2015, urging for further investigation into these incidents and their impact on public trust in military service.
Intersociety and Ekwenche Research Institute contend that these alarming trends have contributed to a pervasive distrust among the youth in the South-East, making them wary of military enlistment. Efforts to reach the Nigerian military and other relevant security agencies for comments on the report have yet to elicit a response.
