Amnesty International has urged security agencies and members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to ensure peace during the funeral of parents of leader of the group Nnamdi Kanu on Friday 14th February, in Abia state.
The call was made on Wednesday in a statement by Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, who pleaded with the military and members of IPOB to ensure there is no case of violence at the funeral of Kanu’s late parents.
According to Ojigho, law enforcement officers are within their rights to carry out their lawful duties, but the use of force should be proportional and strictly limited to those situations where it is absolutely necessary.
The statement read: “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 the rule of law,” the statement by Amnesty International added.