KILLING OF UNARMED BIAFRANS : NIGERIA ARMY DID NOT ACT IN SELF-DEFENSE---AMNESTY INTL
By Okonkwo Isaac Somto
For Family Writers
We all recall on the 30th of May in Onitsha, Anambra State, how the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) who gathered to pay their respects were murdered on a killing rampage carried out by the Nigeria Armed forces on a day they were celebrating Biafra Day anniversary. It was a day meant to celebrate their fallen heroes who died during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war by instead it turned out to a massacre by the Nigeria Army. Over 50 innocent Biafrans were slaughtered and killed by the Nigeria army on that painful day.
After an ongoing investigation by amnesty international, they confirmed that the Nigeria armed forces indeed gunned down more than 17 and injured over 50 unarmed peaceful Biafran protesters on the 29 and 30th of May, 2016. Evidence were gathered from eyewitnesses, morgues and hospitals confirms that between 29-30 May 2016, the Nigerian military opened fire on the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), at three locations in the town. “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. In one incident one person was shot dead after the authorities burst in on them while they slept, “These shootings, some of which may amount to extrajudicial executions, must be urgently and independently investigated and anyone suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice.” said M.K. Ibrahim, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Amnesty international also dismissed the claims by the Nigeria army that stated they acted in self-defence. The Nigerian army has said in a statement that they acted in self-defence, and five IPOB members were killed. However, Amnesty International said they have seen no evidence that the killings were necessary to protect life and also noted that not five(5) were killed but over fifty(50) were gunned down. The police also claim that IPOB killed two policemen the next day in neighbouring Asaba, Delta state, but Amnesty International said they cannot confirm this claim. Amnesty International was also informed by eye witnesses that many of those killed or injured are still held by the military and police. Several witnesses said that the military loaded corpses in their vehicles and took them to Onitsha military barracks.
Following the shootings, the military told media sources that the soldiers only opened fire after being shot at first, but Amnesty International’s research has found no evidence to support this claim. Amnesty international said according to their investigations, the indigenous people of Biafra were unarmed and most of them were shot at their backs, confirming that trying to flee when the shooting started. Amnesty International said that the deaths of supporters and members of IPOB was the consequence of excessive and unnecessary use of force by the Nigeria army.
International law requires the Nigeria government to promptly investigate unlawful killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Amnesty International also called for the Indigenous people of Biafra still held in detention without charge to be either charged or released immediately. This confirms to all, how dubious, evil, inhumane and mischievous the Nigeria government and her armed forces are when it comes to handling issues concerning the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB). They (Nigeria government) are doing everything in their power to put an end to Biafrans living in Nigeria and this investigation carried out by Amnesty International just goes to confirm to the world what we have been saying all along. I hope the world can now see the true colours and attentions of the Nigeria government when it comes to their dealings with Biafrans seeking self-determination from Nigeria.
By Okonkwo Isaac Somto
For Family Writers
We all recall on the 30th of May in Onitsha, Anambra State, how the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) who gathered to pay their respects were murdered on a killing rampage carried out by the Nigeria Armed forces on a day they were celebrating Biafra Day anniversary. It was a day meant to celebrate their fallen heroes who died during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war by instead it turned out to a massacre by the Nigeria Army. Over 50 innocent Biafrans were slaughtered and killed by the Nigeria army on that painful day.
After an ongoing investigation by amnesty international, they confirmed that the Nigeria armed forces indeed gunned down more than 17 and injured over 50 unarmed peaceful Biafran protesters on the 29 and 30th of May, 2016. Evidence were gathered from eyewitnesses, morgues and hospitals confirms that between 29-30 May 2016, the Nigerian military opened fire on the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), at three locations in the town. “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. In one incident one person was shot dead after the authorities burst in on them while they slept, “These shootings, some of which may amount to extrajudicial executions, must be urgently and independently investigated and anyone suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice.” said M.K. Ibrahim, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Amnesty international also dismissed the claims by the Nigeria army that stated they acted in self-defence. The Nigerian army has said in a statement that they acted in self-defence, and five IPOB members were killed. However, Amnesty International said they have seen no evidence that the killings were necessary to protect life and also noted that not five(5) were killed but over fifty(50) were gunned down. The police also claim that IPOB killed two policemen the next day in neighbouring Asaba, Delta state, but Amnesty International said they cannot confirm this claim. Amnesty International was also informed by eye witnesses that many of those killed or injured are still held by the military and police. Several witnesses said that the military loaded corpses in their vehicles and took them to Onitsha military barracks.
Following the shootings, the military told media sources that the soldiers only opened fire after being shot at first, but Amnesty International’s research has found no evidence to support this claim. Amnesty international said according to their investigations, the indigenous people of Biafra were unarmed and most of them were shot at their backs, confirming that trying to flee when the shooting started. Amnesty International said that the deaths of supporters and members of IPOB was the consequence of excessive and unnecessary use of force by the Nigeria army.
International law requires the Nigeria government to promptly investigate unlawful killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Amnesty International also called for the Indigenous people of Biafra still held in detention without charge to be either charged or released immediately. This confirms to all, how dubious, evil, inhumane and mischievous the Nigeria government and her armed forces are when it comes to handling issues concerning the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB). They (Nigeria government) are doing everything in their power to put an end to Biafrans living in Nigeria and this investigation carried out by Amnesty International just goes to confirm to the world what we have been saying all along. I hope the world can now see the true colours and attentions of the Nigeria government when it comes to their dealings with Biafrans seeking self-determination from Nigeria.
I pray that almighty God Will still open their eyes to see more atrocities that have committed by the zoo under the watch of this animal called buhari (that is buhanama)only God will vindicate the Biafrans our leaer Prince Nnamdi Kalu has said it all that they'll try in many ways but at the end we will win. All haile Biafrans.
ReplyDeleteI'm deeply hoping, that the entire world will keeps their ayes wide open to see what's happening in BIAFRALAND all days. The whole world must see the truth and punish the satanic monster animal BUHARI and his murderer clique incl. OBIANO.
ReplyDeleteAll hail BIAFRA !