The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it describes as “unconscionable leadership failure” following the recent mass killing in Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.

The group is calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a forensic investigation into the use of local government allocations in the state, alleging that bereaved families remain without official relief despite the inflow of public funds.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said it is “shocking and cruel” that weeks after the massacre, neither the Imo State Government nor the Ideato North council nor the zonal senator’s office has rolled out a clear, publicly announced restitution plan for victims.

The group noted that while Governor Hope Uzodimma had spoken generally about the killings—promising arrests and compensation—there has been no publicly announced on-the-ground visit to Arondizuogu or a specific relief package for the affected communities.

HURIWA contrasted the silence of local and state authorities with the actions of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/South in the House of Representatives, who visited Arondizuogu, met with bereaved families, and released ₦5 million in cash assistance on the spot. Ugochinyere also launched a broader support fund, pledging ₦5 million per bereaved family under an Ideato Victim Support initiative.

Citing June 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) records, HURIWA revealed that Ideato North LGA alone received ₦453.16 million in that month. It questioned why no portion of this has been transparently deployed for emergency response, security improvements, trauma care, or direct family support.

The association reminded authorities that following the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 judgment, FAAC allocations are to be paid directly to local government accounts to strengthen accountability. It argued that the absence of relief despite these inflows raises governance “red flags” and warrants anti-graft scrutiny across all Imo LGAs.

HURIWA also queried Senator Osita Izunaso’s role, noting there has been no widely publicized visit or targeted relief from his office. The group said the senator told them he had sent representatives, but insisted “the people needed their senator present, not emissaries.”

The association further challenged Ideato North council chairman, Arch. Chukwunonso Okparaeke, to publish a transparent account of June and July expenditures, including any security or welfare disbursements.

While commending Hon. Ugochinyere’s intervention as “a model of people-first representation,” HURIWA urged Governor Uzodimma to visit the affected communities and release a detailed relief and security stabilization plan. It also called on the Imo State House of Assembly to activate strict oversight on LG accountability in line with the Supreme Court judgment.

“Arondizuogu’s families deserve more than condolences; they deserve presence, protection, and proof that public money reaches them in their most vulnerable moments,” HURIWA stated. “If we cannot account for hundreds of millions arriving monthly at councils while citizens are being cut down in their sleep, then the promise of local government autonomy is being betrayed.”