President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, December 5, 2015 stated that the position of the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, on the ongoing pro-Biafra protests in some states in the South-East remained final.
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ALSO READ: Onitsha Killings: How IGP Solomon Arase Wasted Blood Of Innocents To Save His Position
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known in an interview with Punch after he was asked if the president has ordered the deployment of troops.
He said, “The issue of Biafra is a matter of law and order. The law enforcement agencies know what to do, and they are doing it. The IGP (Solomon Arase) has spoken on it earlier this week. That position remains.”
On December 2, 2015, a pro-Biafra protest staged by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Republic of Biafra (MASSOB) turned deadly as police, acting on the orders of Arase opened fire on unarmed protestors killing eleven people. Among them is a 21-year-old female student of the Federal College of Education in Umunze, Anambra State. She has been identified as Nkiruka Anthonia Ikeanyionwu, the sister of a blogger, Vivian Illikannu, who publishes on Vivian Gist.
RELATED: Rights Group, CLO Calls For Full Investigation Of Onitsha Killings, Justice
A foremost human rights group in Nigeria, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has called for a full investigation into the killings and the violation of the human rights of citizens by the state of Nigeria. The organisation, also called for justice for the victims of the Onitsha killings.
“The CLO views the shooting of armless civilians by soldiers and other security agents in Onitsha, especially at the odd hour of 1:30 am as a case of gross violation of human rights, use of excessive force and a crime against humanity,” the organisation said in a statement, Saturday.
“This barbaric act has no place in a modern society as it also gravely undermines all UN, AU and other international, regional and national human rights mechanisms.
“Nothing, whatsoever, can justify this flagrant infraction on the rights of the citizens. Absolutely nothing!”
