Amnesty International warns Nigeria over extrajudicial killings in South-East

Global human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government and the security agencies for failing to investigate the alleged killings in the South-East by the regional security outfit, Ebubeagu.

It stated this in its reaction to the gruesome killing of at least seven persons returning to Otulu, their community, from a wedding in Awo-Omamma on Sunday by gunmen suspected to be members of the South-East Ebubeagu security outfit.

AI in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Isa Sanusi, on Tuesday faulted the Nigerian government for attributing the killings to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra rather than carrying out proper investigations.

It added that it had documented several cases of extrajudicial executions by law enforcement officers and members of the Ebubeagu security outfit while responding to the violence in the South-East.

The Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, was quoted as saying, “It is horrifying that unarmed young men who clearly posed no threat to anyone were gunned down, in utter disdain for the right to life. Such killings cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever.

“Nigerian authorities must end these unlawful killings. Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, and transparently investigate the killings and bring to justice, in fair trials, anyone suspected of criminal responsibility.

“Authorities must also ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families. At least seven friends including two siblings were allegedly extrajudicially executed by members of the Ebubeagu state security outfit at Awo-Omamma community in Oru East Local Government of Imo State on 17 July 2022.

“Instead of launching proper investigations into these killings, security and government officials are often quick to claim victims of extrajudicial executions were caught up in shoot-outs or simply label them members of the Eastern Security Network, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra or unknown gunmen.

“International law requires the Nigerian government to promptly investigate unlawful killings with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.”