Somuadila Ugwummadu | For Biafra Writers
After several months of investigation by
the Nigerian military over the killings of members of the Indigenous People Of
Biafra (IPOB) as reported by Amnesty International (AI), the Nigerian military,
on 15 June, 2017, published their findings.
In their report, the Nigerian military
claimed that "no IPOB member was killed during the incident (IPOB protest)
at Onitsha bridgehead but police report showed that 14 people were arrested on
the day -May 29, 2016."
In response to this, AI firstly condemned
the biased panel, saying "our call is for an investigation that is
independent, impartial and thorough; criteria that this panel clearly does not
meet."
Dismissing the report, AI affirmed,
"We maintain that the nine (9) senior commanders named in our report
should be the subject of an effective and independent investigation. Our
priority is justice, human rights and the dignity of human life in
Nigeria."
Recall that AI had on 24 November, 2016,
published that according to their investigations, "the Nigerian security
forces, led by the military, embarked on a chilling campaign of extrajudicial
executions and violence resulting in the deaths of at least 150 peaceful
pro-Biafra protesters in the south east of the country."
Further in the report, AI revealed that
their investigations was based on "analysis of 87 videos, 122 photographs
and 146 eye witness testimonies relating to demonstrations and other gatherings
between August 2015 and August 2016.
"The analysis consistently shows that
the military fired live ammunition with little or no warning to disperse
crowds.
"It also finds evidence of mass
extrajudicial executions by security forces. This reckless and trigger-happy
approach to crowd control has caused at least 150 deaths and we fear the actual
total might be far higher."
To this end, IPOB entreats the United
Nations, Human Rights Watch and other human rights bodies to join in this fight
against human rights abuses and repressive system of governance by the Nigerian
government. An abuse on any human anywhere in the world is an abuse on
everyone. Let us make the world a better place.
#Accountability
#FreeBiafra
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