The Amnesty International and Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) have expressed worry over alleged killing of persons and human rights violation by the military in Oyigbo (Obigbo) Local Government Area of Rivers State.
AccordIng to a tweet last Sunday from its Twitter handle:@AmnestyNigeria, Amnesty International said it “is receiving disturbing information from #Oyigbo, Rivers State. Despite the existing curfew, soldiers are allegedly invading homes. Some residents reported seeing dead bodies on the street, allegedly shot by soldiers”.
The rights organisation via the tweet also called on the military to exercise restraint.
“We are calling on the military authorities to exercise restraint and stop the killings”, Amnesty International stated.
In the same vein, SERAP in its Twitter handle (@SERAPNigeria) said “we’re concerned about reports of grave human rights violations by Nigerian military in #Oyigbo, Rivers state”.
The group further urged President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a probe into the alleged human rights violations and prosecute all perpetrators.
“We urge @MBuhari to immediately order a probe into the reports and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.
“Authorities must end attacks on Nigerians in #Oyigbo”, the tweet stated.
Reports say many residents of Oyigbo have fled the territory following increased military presence in area.
Sources say many have fled to neighboring Obio/Akpor, Etche Eleme and Port Harcourt LGAs.
Information filtering in from the besieged LG blames the military for shooting and abducting people including adolescents in the area.
The residents have cried out over the difficulty in getting food, medicine and fuel for power supply as Governor Nyesom Wike had imposed a 24 hours curfew in the area.
It will be recalled that military authorities from the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, alleged that some of its men were killed following an attack by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who the military also said took their rifles. (City Star)
