Nigerian Civil Society Organisations has called on the Federal Government and the Governors of Abia and Anambra states to initiate an independent investigations into allegations of serious human rights violations by security forces against supporters and activists of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement jointly signed by various groups, the organisations bemoaned the series of human rights violations perpetrated by security forces South-east states of Abia, Anambra as well as South-south states of Delta and Rivers.
“We are deeply concerned by revelations in Amnesty International’s recent report that highlighted a range of human rights violations committed by members of the security forces led by the military in the South-east states of Abia, Anambra as well as South-south states of Delta and Rivers.
“We are therefore calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, conduct an independent and impartial investigation into these allegations, with a view to bringing the suspected perpetrators to justice in fair trials.”
The groups recalled that on 24 November 2016, Amnesty International Nigeria released a damning report cataloguing violations including extra-judicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, unlawful arrest and detention of IPOB members and supporters across the country.
The organisation’s research concluded that between August 2015 and August 2016, at least 150 people were killed by Nigeria’s security forces led by the military.
The express disappointment that there have been no serious steps to hold suspected perpetrators into account.
“This seeming lack of political will to address the growing level of impunity in the country is worrying. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari should demonstrate its willingness to address the security forces’ blatant disregard for due processes.”
Further, the groups condemn the Operation Python Dance currently ongoing in the region.
“We are further particularly alarmed, that despite these chilling allegations, authorities at both Federal and state levels of government have instead decided to further militarise the affected areas in the guise of “operation python dance.
“While acknowledging the need for the protection of law and order across the country, we consider the recent announcement of increased deployment of military personnel to the south-east region as an unnecessary move that risks stoking further tensions within the communities.”
They called on President Buhari to immediately evacuate military personnel in the region.
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