The Commander of Anambra State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), CSP James Nwafor has been accused of killing over 100 people and dumping their dead bodies in Ezu river, a borders between Enugu and Anambra.
CSP Nwafor (now retired), the SARS Commander in Awkuzu between 2012 and early 2016, was accused of masterminding the disappearance (or possibly death) of hundreds of people whose whereabout are still unknown in Anambra State.
The situation was so serious that Amnesty International carried out two phases of investigations (in 2014 and 2016) into the activities of Awkuzu SARS and produced damning reports of torture, unlawful killings, disappearance of detainees, unlawful arrests and prolonged detentions without trial that take place at the unit.
Other atrocities linked to the Nwafor-led Awkuzu SARS include conversion of suspects’ properties to personal use and the demand and collection of outrageous sums as bail fees in exchange for freedom.
CSP Nwafor was redeployed in 2016 after a series of petitions were made against him in connection to severe human rights violations.
On the 12th of September 2016, CSP Nwafor was recalled to Awkuzu SARS but his return was met with strong opposition from human rights groups within and outside the state.
Following the strict oppositions that kept growing, Nwafor was removed from Awkuzu SARS in less than two weeks. He was reposted to the Administrative Department at the State Command Headquarters, Awka where he worked until he retired in April, 2018.
Shortly after CSP Nwafor’s retirement, it was rumoured that the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has appointed him as his Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters in 2018.
The appointment was again heavily criticized by human rights groups and civil society actors in the state who referred the state government to the many cases of severe human rights violations linked to CSP James Nwafor when he was head of SARS.
Some of the human rights groups that fought against CSP James Nwafor’s impunity are:
- Amnesty International
- Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN)
- International Human Rights and Equity Defense Foundation (I-REF)
- Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)
- International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (INTERSOCIETY), etc.
Amidst the nationwide #EndSARS protest, Nigerians are calling on relevant authorities to investigate CSP James Okafor who hails from Ezza North Local Government in Ebonyi State.
Nigerians have seized the opportunity to narrate their awful experiences with the 59-year-old former SARS commander and other activities of Awkuzu SARS unit.
Below are some of his horrifying stories they will make you cringe:
He claims that nothing can happen to him, he was responsible for dumping over 100 dead bodies of young men in the Ezu river at the borders of Enugu and Anambra in 2012. Had my father swimming in a river filled with dead bodies to see if he can find his son! #WhereisChijioke
— Where is Chijioke? (@Ada_mummyya) July 9, 2020
If CSP James Nwafor is your father or family, you shall not know peace till he is brought to book #EndSARS #EndSWAT #EndPoliceBrutalitynow https://t.co/4bobnYN361
— Ij ✨🦋 (@fhavss) October 15, 2020
CSP James Nwafor rendered a woman childless in 1 night. Arrested 3 brothers who were on their way to Neni & killed them.
CSP James Nwafor was also renown for selling human parts at SARS Awkuzu. Most of the assassinations that occurred from 2015-2020 in Anambra was done by him.
— 🅾️🅱️🅰️ (@diokpaigbo) October 15, 2020
They need to try this James Nwafor. Then subject him to the most tortuous slow state death as the penalty for his atrocities. It is mindless. Even the devil will be shaken/ing reading this. https://t.co/vwY2MzvRl8
— Saint Alfredson (@SirALfredson) October 15, 2020
— Peter Obi's glasses ❤ + 💡 (@Simply_Iffy) October 15, 2020
“The Most important thing a man can take into combat is the reason why”
The man on the left is the former OC SARS Awkuzu; CSP James Nwafor; he killed the young man on the left and boasted To his parents that “nothing will happen”.
This is the reason we protest! #EndSWAT pic.twitter.com/cFUbJweRvS
— Somto Onuchukwu (@chosensomto) October 15, 2020
I join youths in Anambra state to call for immediate probe of CSP James Nwafor ‘s days as OC SARS Awkuzu, who is now SA to Gov. Obianuju.
He should be made to answer for all the atrocities he allegedly committed not rewarded with an appointment.#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/P8OfPLZCDc
— swiftsugarmummy (@ladyswift9ja) October 15, 2020
Pathetic story of what's going on in my State.
Bring James Nwafor ; @CSPJamesNwafor to book…. Hé is a threat to Ndi Anambra#EndSWAT #EndSars
MC Olumo #AlausaProtest Funke pic.twitter.com/zEB5Thp8Mt
— Chief Zaddy😋🕊️ (@Itz_daddyjoe) October 15, 2020
CSP James Nwafor the former OC SARS Awkuzu allegedly killed Chijioke; check 👉🏾 #WhereIsChijioke , and made his father swim a river filled with dead bodies in search of his son’s body.
We demand justice for Chijioke and other victims of this man. #EndSWAT pic.twitter.com/YzneHnd7fl
— Somto Onuchukwu (@chosensomto) October 15, 2020
Ezu River Massacre: Over 100 People Killed And Their Bodies Thrown Into Ezu River In 2012. This Heinous Act Was Carried Out By The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Of Anambra State And CSP James Nwafor Was Also Accused Of Being Responsible For These Killings. #EndSWAT #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Ec869e40eR
— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) October 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/mr_macaronii/status/1316653072043708416?s=20
https://twitter.com/lagoshighpriest/status/1316644883080376321?s=20
Nigerians this is James Nwafor the killer ex OC of Awkuzu #SARS he is working with the gov of Anambra @WillieMObiano as CSO currently.
James Nwafor killed more than 1000 Youths in Anambra, he is still alive, he has kids, retweet till he face justice#SARSMUSTEND #SarsMustGo pic.twitter.com/cTgKjAAyhD
— Ikwiikwii 🦉🦉🦉(Ikenga Okija) Ogilisi (@Ozo_Akuyika) October 13, 2020
This is coming amidst the ongoing #EndSARS protest across the country against the SARS tactical unit of the Nigerian Police Force over its brutality, illegal arrest, extortion, extra-judicial killings, among others.
Meanwhile, Six years ago, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe the owner of Upper-Class Hotel Onitsha was framed by SARS Awkuzu and accused of killing a boy whose family acknowledged he was arrested by SARS months earlier and later murdered by them. His hotel was subsequently demolished on the orders of Peter Obi, the then Governor of Anambra State. If you missed the story, click the link below to read.
READ: Hotelier Accuses Anambra State Police Of Planting Human Skulls In His Hotel
As Nigerian youths protest and calls for an end to SARS, Chief Bonaventure has now shared his harrowing experience while in SARS detention.
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