from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – AT least 1 844 people were killed following violence perpetrated by armed forces and separatists in the South-East zone of Nigeria between 2021 and 2023.
This is according to a new report, “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in Southeast Nigeria”, released by Amnesty International.
It documents unlawful killings, torture and other ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and displacement at the hands of gunmen, state-backed paramilitary outfits, vigilantes, criminal gangs and cults in the region between January 2021 and December 2024.
This was at the height of the pro-Biafra protests, where some separatists are agitating for self-rule, claiming neglect by the national government.
Amnesty accuses the Nigerian authorities of persistent failure to address the security crisis in the region.
“The government must stop turning a blind eye to the unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and destruction of properties in the South-East region,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Authorities must live up to their constitutional and international human rights obligations including by ensuring all suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trial, no matter who they are, and that victims and their families have access to justice and effective remedies.”
Amnesty said its report is based on interviews with 100 people, including survivors, victims’ relatives, civil society members, lawyers, traditional leaders and religious leaders.
Authorities blame the pro-Biafran organization Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network for the violence.
The two organisations deny the accusations, blaming government forces.
Biafra was a partially recognised state that declared independence from Nigeria and existed from 1967 to 1970.
– CAJ News