The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called for an investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council into allegations of genocide against the Igbos by the Nigerian Army.
HURIWA emphasized that the accusations levelled by the Indigenous People of Biafra against the Army are not entirely baseless, highlighting the need for an impartial and independent investigation.
“The dense forests in this region have reportedly become notorious for harboring criminal elements, including kidnappers, who have turned these areas into terror zones. Victims who manage to survive the ordeal recount harrowing experiences, including torture, maiming, and in some cases, death even after ransom payments. The dead bodies of those less fortunate, along with their personal belongings, often litter the forests where they were held captive,” HURIWA noted.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated that the group has consistently supported the Nigerian government’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the South-East. However, HURIWA is deeply concerned about the methods employed by security agencies, which have allegedly resulted in the indiscriminate killing of innocent Igbo youths under the pretext of hunting down IPOB members.
“However, HURIWA is deeply concerned about the methods employed by security agencies, which have allegedly resulted in the indiscriminate killing of innocent Igbo youths under the pretext of hunting down IPOB members,” Onwubiko said.
HURIWA pointed out that the NHRC, which should ideally conduct such investigations in Nigeria, lacks the independence required for an impartial investigation. The group argued that the NHRC, a federal government agency, is not in a position to assess the situation objectively, hence the need for a high-powered investigative team from the UNHRC.
HURIWA also expressed concern over the activities of individuals like Asari Dokubo, who visited President Bola Tinubu when he newly won the election and gave a sensational interview admitting to running a private army.
The group said, “During the interview, Dokubo claimed that he undertook assignments for the federal government to combat terrorists in the North and allegedly carried out operations in the South-East. Hence, HURIWA called for Dokubo’s arrest and prosecution or, at the very least, an open investigation to determine the legality of his actions.”
HURIWA urged the government to investigate the allegations that some of the killings in the South-East during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari were carried out by Dokubo’s so-called private army. The group is particularly concerned about the video footage showing Dokubo brandishing sophisticated military-grade weapons, which no private individual in Nigeria is legally permitted to possess.
HURIWA noted with alarm that the Army and the Police continue to parade individuals purportedly arrested as IPOB members, yet there has been no transparent disclosure regarding how many of these individuals have been successfully prosecuted.
“The federal government’s sudden withdrawal of charges and release of the Miyetti Allah leader raises questions about the selective application of justice,” HURIWA said.
To this end, HURIWA has drafted a formal letter to the UNHRC, urging them to dispatch a team to Nigeria to investigate the allegations of genocide and other human rights violations in the South-East.
The rights group emphasized that not all those killed in the region are members of IPOB, and even if they were, the indiscriminate bombing of villages and attacks on civilians cannot be justified. HURIWA insisted that suspects should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law, rather than subjected to extrajudicial killings.
