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Amnesty International (AI) has enjoined the Nigerian military and police to reduce the rising tension in Afara Ukwu, Abia State ahead of the 14 February 14, 2020 funeral of the parents of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The human rights group said in a statement in Abuja that it has received reports of heavy military presence in the Afaraukwu Community as soldiers continue to patrol the area.
It noted that the funeral programme of Eze Okwu Kanu and his wife will take place on February 14, as eyewitnesses told AI that they saw several military vehicles including Hilux and military SUVs patrolling the community since Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Country Director of AI, Osai Ojigho, said, “Nigerian security forces must exercise restraint and prevent a repetition of the September 2017 incident that left no fewer than 20 people killed and some still missing, when the military attempted to arrest Nnamdi Kanu.”
Ojigho stressed that concerns about possible violence during the funeral must be addressed within the framework of international human rights and rule of law.
