Amnesty Accuses Nigerian Army of Killing Unarmed Civilians

The Amnesty International, AI, on Friday accused the Nigerian Army of killing unarmed civilians before a march marking the anniversary of the 1967 Biafran declaration of independence. Making this known, AI’s Nigeria director, MK Ibrahim, however, stated it was unclear exactly how many people lost their lives, as soldiers, who the army claimed acted in self-defence took away the dead and injured. The international human rights group said, “Based on visits to hospitals and mortuaries, at least 17 were killed and nearly 50 injured in Onitsha alone. The real number is likely to be higher, some of the dead and injured seen by researchers had been shot in the back, indicating they were fleeing at the time. “Opening fire on peaceful IPOB supporters and bystanders, who clearly posed no threat to anyone is an outrageous use of unnecessary and excessive force and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. One person was shot dead as they slept.” It would be recalled that the police in its report had stated that at least 10 people were killed ”” five in the town of Onitsha, Anambra state, and five in Asaba, in neighbouring Delta state ”” in a violence linked to the commemoration on May 30. Even, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, claimed at least 35 were killed.