International Human Rights group, Amnesty International, has accused the
Nigerian Army of killing at least 17 unarmed members of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) during a clash with the group in Anambra state
on May 30th.
A statement by Amnesty which was released today June
10th, says investigations carried out by its officials who met with
eyewitnesses and also visited morgues and hospitals, indicates that
soldiers opened fire on members of IPOB and their supporters in Onitsha,
Anambra State during the build up to a march by the group to celebrate
Biafra Armed Forces Remembrance day.
Amnesty in its report added that the attack on the unarmed pro-biafrans
took place when the military raided homes and a church where IPOB
members slept.
The Nigerian Army, however, in a statement released on June 1st, accused
the pro-Biafra members of first attacking its officers with weapons
such as firearms and dynamites and that the officers shot at the group
members in self defence.
The Nigerian military in its statement claimed five members of IPOB were
killed, eight wounded while nine were arrested.
Amnesty however says this is untrue as its investigation showed that at
least 17 people were killed and nearly 50 injured, adding that “the real
number is likely to be higher”.
“Information gathered by Amnesty International indicates that the deaths
of supporters and members of IPOB was the consequence of excessive, and
unnecessary use of force,” Amnesty said