Soldiers have
reportedly blocked the entrance of the family residence of Nnamdi Kanu, leader
of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ahead of his parents’ burial.
Amnesty
International (AI) quoted residents as saying the soldiers are also harassing
residents in the area ahead of the funeral scheduled for Friday.
NE could not
immediately verify claims about the blockade, but gathered that there is indeed
a heavy security presence in Afara Ukwu, Kanu’s community.
In a statement on
Wednesday, AI said it gathered from some persons that “they saw soldiers
harassing people at Bank road while another man said he was prevented from
going to his house by soldiers who blocked the road entrance to Eze Kanu’s palace.”
Osai Ojigho, Amnesty
director in Nigeria, called for caution, and asked the security agencies to
“deescalate the rising tension” in the Abia community.
“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”, Ojigho said.
“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.”
Since the burial was
announced, there has been a hot exchange between the police and IPOB, which was
banned and declared a terrorist organisation last year.
While the group has
insisted on attending the event, Ene Okon, Abia commissioner of police, has
vowed that the funeral would not take place if IPOB members attempt to attend
it.
Kanu, who has been
on the run since 2017, is, not contemplating attending, but said the burial
will be broadcast live.
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