Amnesty International Reports Thousands Killed in Southeast Nigeria Amid Independence Crackdown

Thousands have reportedly lost their lives and hundreds more have been “arbitrarily detained” by security forces and armed groups in southeast Nigeria, a region grappling...

Thirteen Nigerien Soldiers Killed in Clashes with Jihadist Groups

Thousands have reportedly lost their lives and hundreds more have been “arbitrarily detained” by security forces and armed groups in southeast Nigeria, a region grappling with longstanding economic and political grievances. This alarming information was highlighted in a recent report released by Amnesty International, which underscores the dire human rights situation stemming from a crackdown on a regional independence movement that began roughly a decade ago.

The call for autonomy has remained a contentious topic in the oil-rich region, more than fifty years after the devastating civil war that concluded the efforts for an independent Biafra in the 1960s. Although the southeastern region is currently deemed less volatile than the jihadist-ridden northeastern part of the country, a series of pro-sovereignty protests in 2015 and 2016 led to a harsh military response that has initiated what the report describes as “an endless cycle of bloodshed.” Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International’s Nigerian affiliate, expressed grave concerns during a news conference held in the capital, Abuja.

The testimonies shared during the event brought the human toll into sharp focus, especially with the poignant account of Merit Ifedi, a young adult from Enugu state. Ifedi revealed that armed men, some donning military uniforms, stormed her home in 2021, abducting her parents. Since their disappearance, she has been left pleading for the government to either release them or bring them before a court.

Amnesty’s findings indicate that more than 1,800 individuals have been killed by both state and non-state actors from January 2021 to June 2023, though the actual figures may be much higher, according to Sanusi. He also pointed to the rampant drug trade in the region, which compounds the already dire humanitarian situation. Furthermore, the report highlights that the state-supported Ebube Agu paramilitary group has been utilized as a tool for harassment and intimidation against dissenters and critics of the local governments.

The report describes a troubling interplay of criminal and political violence that allows both local authorities and armed groups to take advantage of the chaos. Instances of violence attributed to “unknown gunmen” have steadily increased, with over 400 killings recorded in Imo state alone between January 2019 and December 2021. These gunmen are known to appear at events such as funerals and weddings, extorting money from attendees and resorting to violence against those who refuse to comply.

Authorities have frequently placed blame for these violent occurrences on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their affiliated military arm, the Eastern Security Network. However, Amnesty’s investigation disputes this narrative, identifying a multitude of criminal factions responsible for the unrest. Notably, the report indicated that some of the gunmen’s camps are widely recognized by local residents and security forces, challenging the official narratives surrounding the violence.

Meanwhile, IPOB has faced accusations of violently enforcing “sit-at-home” directives aimed at pressuring the government economically by shutting down markets, travel, and educational institutions across the southeast. IPOB has denied these charges, attributing the violence to criminal elements.

Sanusi expressed concern that the conflicting narratives from both the military and separatist factions may ultimately hinder justice for the victims of the violence in the region, stating that the ongoing back-and-forth only serves to deepen the plight of those affected. Despite requests for comments, neither the army nor representatives from IPOB responded to inquiries from media outlets.

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