Amnesty International Urges IPOB, Security Agencies To Exercise Restraint Ahead Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Parents Burial

Amnesty International Urges IPOB, Security Agencies To Exercise Restraint Ahead Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Parents Burial A mnesty International h...

Amnesty International Urges IPOB, Security Agencies To Exercise Restraint Ahead Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Parents Burial

Amnesty International has called on security agencies in Nigeria and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra to ensure peace prevails when parents of leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, are laid to rest in their hometown, Afara Ukwu, Abia State, on Friday.

Ahead of the funeral, there have been reported presence of large numbers of military personnel in Afara Ukwu with soldiers said to be patrolling the area and harassing residents.

In a statement on Wednesday, Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, called on the military and members of IPOB to ensure there is no case of violence during the funeral of Kanu’s parents.

Ojigho said, “The Nigerian security forces must exercise restraint and prevent a repetition of the September 2017 events that left at least 20 people killed and some still missing when the military attempted to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in his home in Afara Ukwu.

“While law enforcement officers are within their rights to carry out their lawful duties, the use of force should be proportional and strictly limited to those situations where it is absolutely necessary.

“Both IPOB supporters and security forces must at all times respect and protect human rights of all.

“Concerns about possible violence during the funeral must be addressed within the framework of human rights and rule of law.”