Amnesty International has asked the Federal Government to conduct an immediate independent and impartial investigation into the recent military airstrike that killed and injured several people in Rivers and Yobe states.
In August 2021, a wooden passenger boat conveying passengers and their goods from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers state was attacked by a military helicopter, injuring several passengers.
Similarly, no less than 9 people were killed, and scores injured, when Air Force Fighter jets shot sporadically in several villages in Yobe state, including Buwari, Bulabulin, Matari, Malari and Kajinjiri.
In its call, the organization stated that past incidents of this nature that has occurred in the North East and the Niger Delta region of the country were not resolved.
In a statement, its Director, Osai Ojigho, said that full compensation must be given to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the attack.
“Nigerian government must immediately conduct a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the horrific incidents in Yobe and River state,
“Amnesty International is calling for full reparations for the relatives of those killed in the strikes, as well as remedy for other victims in previous military airstrikes including compensation, restitution and rehabilitation.
“Nigerian military must abide by international law in future military operations and protect lives of civilians.”
The director stressed that suspects involved in the offence should be prosecuted in a fair trial, while survivors and families of the victims should be kept informed on the progress of the investigations.
