The "Bakassi Boys," also known as the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVS) (AFP 11 July 2001; P.M. News 26 July 2001; Post Express Wired 7 Jan. 2001; ibid. 2 Jan. 2001; ibid. 12 July 2000), were reportedly "set up in 1999 by the governor of Abia State ahead of the 1999 elections, officially to cut down on crime in the city of Aba. After they became known for cutting crime there, a unit of the force was dispatched to Onitsha [the capital of Anambra] where they were used by the Anambra State governor" (AFP 31 May 2001).

Reports of the Bakassi Boys' involvement in an assassination attempt on Chief Offia Duru, or information on state protection and internal flight alternatives available to those targetted by the Bakassi Boys in Anambra State, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Nonetheless, several sources state that the governor of Anambra state has used the Bakassi Boys to target suspected criminals (AFP 11 July 2001; ibid. 31 May 2001; Human Rights Watch 2002; IRIN 8 Mar. 2001; The News 18 June 2001; Post Express Wired 7 Jan. 2001, ibid. 2 Jan. 2001), and allegedly to silence political opponents (Human Rights Watch 2002; Post Express Wired 12 July 2001; ibid. 7 Jan. 2001).

According to the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), the Bakassi Boys "are a crime-fighting militia that has become notorious for taking the law into its own hands by killing suspected criminals" (8 Mar. 2001). They reportedly use "a mixture of interrogation, beatings, witness statements and witchcraft to determine the guilt or innocence of their victims" (AFP 11 July 2001).

In February 2001, the Bakassi Boys were reportedly implicated in the abduction and killing of local politician Ezeodumegwu Okonkwo (IRIN 8 Mar. 2001). The leader of the Bakassi Boys, Gilbert Okoye, was reportedly detained in Abuja but had not been charged in connection with the death of the local politician (ibid.; AFP 31 May 2001). In May 2001, the Bakassi Boys reportedly killed 35 alleged criminals in Onitsha, Anambra state (The News 18 June 2001), and in July 2001, five members of the Bakassi Boys were also arrested in connection with the killing of an armed robber, Okwudili Ndiwe, otherwise known as Derico Nwamama (AFP 11 July 2001; P.M. News 26 July 2001). This action was reportedly "backed and funded by Anambra State Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju" (AFP 11 July 2001). .

In its World Report 2002, Human Rights Watch states that,

The Bakassi Boys also burned and mutilated their victims and systematically tortured detainees in their custody with impunity and, in some cases, on the effective authority of the state governor. In several southeastern states, the Bakassi Boys were used to target suspected political opponents and critics, as well as to settle scores and intervene in private disputes (2002).

For a history of the Bakassi Boys in Anambra state, please consult the attached Post Express Wired report.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 11 July 2001. Peter Cunliffe-Jones. "In Nigeria, Vigilantes Kill Alleged Crime Boss in Public." (NEXIS)

_____. 31 May 2001. "Nigerian Rights Group Slams 'Barbarism' of Vigilante Killing." (NEXIS)

_____. Human Rights Watch. 2002. World Report 2002. "Nigeria." http://www.hrw.org/wr2k2/africa8.html [Accessed 12 Mar. 2002]

Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 8 March 2001. "Nigeria; Leader of Vigilante Group Arrested." (NEXIS)

The News. 18 June 2001. "Nigeria: Assassins Take Over Ebonyi." (NEXIS)

P.M. News. 26 July 2001. "Nigeria: Police Hunt 'Bakassi Boys' Leader Over Killing." (NEXIS)

Post Express Wired [Ikeja]. 7 January 2001. Chukwudi Nweje. "Caught Between Police and the Militia." http://www.postexpresswired.com/ [Accessed 12 Mar. 2002]

_____. 2 January 2001. Ody Chukwube. "The Anambra Security Example." http://www.postexpresswired.com/ [Accessed 12 Mar. 2002]

_____. 12 July 2000. "Mbadinuju Tasks Vigilante Group on Criminals." http://www.postexpresswired.com/ [Accessed 12 Mar.2002]

Post Express Wired [Ikeja]. 2 January 2001. Ody Chukwube. "The Anambra Security Example." http://www.postexpresswired.com/ [Accessed 12 Mar. 2002]

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