Amnesty International accused Nigerian security forces of using disproportionate force and killing at least 115 people in a crackdown on separatist dissidents in the country’s restive southeast region.
Violence has erupted in Nigeria’s southeastern states this year, leaving at least 127 police or members of the security services dead, according to the police.
Some 20 police stations and election commission offices have been attacked, according to local media.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an outlawed movement seeking independence for ethnic Igbo of the region, and its militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been accused for the violence, but IPOB has denied the charges.
Amnesty said that in response, security forces, including the military, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) intelligence agency have killed dozens of gunmen, as well as civilians, where attacks have taken place.
“The evidence gathered by Amnesty International paints a damning picture of ruthless excessive force by Nigerian security forces in Imo, Anambra and Abia states,” said Osai Ojigho, the group’s Nigeria director.
The global rights watchdog said it “documented at least 115 persons killed by security forces between March and June 2021.”
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