As Igbos mark 53 years of the Biafra Republic which led to the death of over 3 million people, mainly women and children, victims of the bloody killing in Nkpor, Anambra state, in which over 60 pro Biafra protesters were killed and at least 100 were injured by Nigerian security forces on 30 May 2016 are still awaiting justice four years on, Amnesty International said.
Families and relatives of the victims of the 2016 massacre have been waiting and again ask the Nigerian government to ensure that those suspected of criminal responsibility of the killings are brought to trial, and that the victims and their families receive reparations, including adequate compensation, the rights group added in a statement on Saturday.
“The tragedy of the Nkpor killing is compounded by the shocking fact that no one suspected to be responsible for the bloodshed has yet been held accountable. If the Nigerian government wants to demonstrate that it is committed to truth and human rights, it needs to ensure that the wheels of justice start turning far faster than they have done over the past four years.” said Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Despite overwhelming evidence that members of the Nigerian security forces fired live ammunition to disperse pro-Biafra gatherings, resulting in the death of at least 150 people, no person suspected of criminal responsibility has been brought to justice,” said Osai Ojigho
The Nigerian military promised to investigate the killings but is as yet to release a report of a commission of inquiry it set up in 2017
Background
During peaceful Biafra Day celebrations in May 2016 in Onitsha, Anambra State, soldiers shot people in several locations.
Amnesty International research concluded that at least 60 extra-judicial executions were committed in the space of two days, with a further 70 people injured. The real number is likely to be higher.
A similar pattern of lack of accountability for gross violations by security forces has been documented in other parts of Nigeria including the north east in the context of operations against Boko Haram.
Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the government of Nigeria to initiate independent investigations into allegations of crimes under international law.
President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly promised that these would be investigated. However, no progress has been made.
