Killing of Pro-Biafra Protesters (2015–2016)

The 2015–2016 Killing of Biafran Protesters refers to the ongoing swooping, militarisation and killing of demonstrators demanding the restoration of the sovereignty of the Republic of Biafra by Nigerian security forces, especially the Nigerian army, in several towns and cities of the southeastern parts of Nigeria. The demonstrations are spearheaded by several secessionist groups that often act independently. With build up and activities of Nigerian security forces, people in the region currently appear to live daily in a more than Police State rather than democratic country.

The South-East Based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations (SBCHROs) estimates that about 80 members of the pro-Biafra group the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their supporters have been killed by Nigerian security operatives under the directive of the Nigerian government between August 30, 2015 and February 9, 2016.

The most notable incidents were the protests that took place in Onitsha on December 2, 2015 where about 11 people reportedly lost their lives, including 2 policemen and 9 activists; and in Aba on February 9, 2016 where six members of the secessionist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were killed by the Nigerian police and army with about 20 others arrested. Also, the Indigenous People of Biafra has claimed that Nigerian soldiers have secretly killed and burned the corpses of Biafran activists to hide evidence.

In addition to the killings, members of the Igbo ethnic group, who are at the forefront of the secessionist agitations, have been subjected to abuse, intimidation and harassment by Nigerian security operatives. On December 23, 2015, many Igbos returning home for Christmas celebrations from the western part of the country were detained and molested on the Onitsha Niger River Bridge for several hours by soldiers conducting stop and search operations. The gridlock occasioned by this lasted for up to twelve hours with many commuters spending the night on both ends of the bridge.

Following the killing and arrest of peaceful protesters on May 30, 2016, Biafra Day Celebration, Indigenous People of Biafra who pride themselves in their peaceful, evangelistic and diplomatic approach to their cause, accused the police and army of, trying to cover their tracks and, playing double-standard by being quick to exonerate the boastful murderous AK-47 carrying Fulani herdsmen who massacre people across Biafraland, including the famous Nimbo massacre, for accusations on unarmed Indigenous People of Biafra protesters.

The Nigerian military and Federal Government have strenuously denied engaging in any of those acts, despite records to the contrary.

Biafra Day Celebration

Publicised May 30, 2016,Biafra Day anniversary celebration turned bloody, in Southeastern states as soldiers and policemen attacked pro-Biafra groups. In the commercial city of Onitsha, Nigerian local news reporters quoted eye witnesses as saying that 40 people were killed, while over 50 pro-Biafra members were arrested. The incident, according to an eye witness, "started about 3 a.m. when security forces entered the premises of St. Edmund’s Catholic Church, Nkpor Agu, near Onitsha and allegedly opened fire on the worshippers, accusing them of being members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during which five were killed, while 10 others were injured". 35 more deaths were recorded following further swoops on other members of the pro-Biafra group in the commercial city by security forces. According to the group's public relations officer, Mr Emma Powerful, and local reporters, many more members were killed and 358 or more were arrested in several southeastern states and cities including Owerri, Obigbo, Asaba, Enugu, Ikom, and Umuahia. Anambra State government said the rally was illegal becuase the group did not obtain permission for the procession.

The International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, a civil rights group, said its investigation revealed that security operatives shot, killed, picked corpses and buried the victims in unknown places. According to Vanguard reporters between 30th of May and the first day of June, scores of shot victims were removed from some of the hospitals where they were admitted after the clash and taken to undisclosed clinics within and beyond the state by their relatives and sympathizers for fear that members of the state’s Joint Security Task Force might be hunting for them.

Why We Attacked

Following the massacre, the Nigerian Army said it attacked some activists "due to the widespread panic, tension and apprehension generated from the activities of the MASSOB and IPOB members. Security agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency claimed they were compelled to intervene in consonance with constitutional provisions of aid to civil authority where and when such occasion demands," signed Colonel H A Gambo, Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu.

Freedom of Expression

Debunking the violent accusations of the security forces, the National Publicity Secretary of Campaign for Democracy (CD), a human right group, Mr. Dede-Uzor-Dede, asked "the Federal Government to arrest those involved in the killings of the harmless youths, with a view to bringing them to justice, in line with Chapter 4, Sections 33 to 41 which centred on fundamental human rights and in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended." Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose joined others in condemning the killings. “I am alarmed that Nigerians who were only on peaceful protest could be shot at and killed by security agents and after the senseless killing of innocent Nigerians, security agents could demonstrate their heartlessness by coming up with justifications for the criminal act," remarked Mr Fayose whilst saying the people of the region are apparently becoming endangered.

Rhetorically, the Directorate of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) through their spokespersons, Dr. Clifford Iroanya and Emma Nmezu told Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase that his orders to disarm unarmed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who were remembering their fallen heroes, shortly after the massacre was preposterous and crafty for a known purpose. “Mr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, you are aware of the menace of Boko Haram, the serial killings of Biafrans by Buhari’s killer squad known as Fulani Herdsmen, and the extra-judicial killings of Biafrans by Nigerian security outfits, yet you have failed to issue a single press statement on them", said the group. They body, however, said the police boss can go ahead to tell all the lies in the world and manufacture evidence for his colleagues in the DSS to use against its incarcerated leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose standing trial in court whilst playing double-standard and attempting to cover justice.

Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, said Nigeria is “in a democracy and people should be entitled to speak their minds and to assemble under responsible circumstances," whilst calling for condemnation of such act of killing especially of young people in any part of Nigeria, on the floor of the senate on Tuesday May 31, 2016. The Deputy Senate President also advised the security forces to be responsible in dealing with circumstances such as the rally. “I think that the point he has raised must draw attention of all and see what necessary action will be taken in other to address this matter,” remarked the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki in response.

Domestic and International Reactions

These killings and intimidation have largely gone unnoticed by the international media despite dominating headlines in the local media, while world leaders have remained mum to the plight of Biafrans. Thus far, few politicians have voiced their concerns about the killings. Former Deputy Leader of the British Labour Party, Harriet Harman, petitioned the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Philip Hammond, for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu, while Amnesty International claims to be working on "consistent" reports of the use of "excessive force" against protesters connected to the pro-Biafran movement.

The European Union through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini had previously said it was in support of the peaceful conduct of a referendum on independence.

Following the agitations for Biafra and feelings of marginalisation, the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar joined advocates for restructuring of the nation to remove impediments to economic and political development of the country. "Agitations by many right thinking Nigerians call for a restructuring and renewal of our federation to make it less centralized, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities," remarked the former vice president during the launching of the book- "We are all Biafrans" in Abuja on May 31, 2016.