Amnesty International demands an investigation of murder in Southeast of Nigeria

Amnesty International on Thursday urged the federal government to investigate widespread murder, forced disappearances, and other human rights violations in the southeast.

Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Mr. Isa Sanusi, made a call during the launch of the new report by the supervisor: “A decade of impunity: attacks and murder violates the law in Southeast Nigeria,” on Thursday at Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the organization documented extensive violence committed by state and non-state actors, including murder that violated the law, torture, arbitrary arrests, and attacks by armed groups.

Sanusi said: “At least 1,844 people were killed between January 2021 and June 2023 that killed thousands of people and refugees, originating from atrocities carried out by state and non-state actors

“Armed people, described locally as” unknown armed people, “have carried out deadly attacks throughout IMO, Anambra, and other countries, killing more than 400 people in IMO alone between 2019 and 2021.”

He accused that Ebube’s security forces and paramilitary clothes supported by the state committed serious violations, including murder outside of law, arbitrary arrests, torture, and forced disappearances.

He said the report highlighted how insecurity had disrupted daily life in the region, with orders to sit in a house upheld by native Biafra (IPOB) and armed wings, Eastern Security Networks (ESN), schools, markets, and paralyzed businesses.

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The findings, according to him, are based on field research and interviews with more than 100 people including survivours, relatives of victims, community leaders, and lawyers between April and November 2023.

“People painting the picture of the community turned into” unmanageable space, “with traditional rulers fired, displaced residents, and cult groups developed in the absence of state protection.

“The victim tells of a terrible attack where the armed attacker invaded the village, demanding money at public meetings, and burning the houses of people who refused.

“The authorities must immediately conduct a fair, open, and impartial investigation of reported crimes, emphasizing Nigeria’s duties under his constitution and international law to protect life, freedom and security in the region.

“It must ensure that the perpetrators suspected of being brought to court in a fair trial, do not care who they are, and that their victims and families have access to effectiveness and effective recovery,” demanded the Director of Amnesty.