The Human Rights Writers of Nigeria or HURIWA has warned the Nigerian Army against killing innocent citizens in the southeastern state of Anambra.
HURIWA National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Media Affairs Director Zainab Yusuf claimed that they received “several reports of extrajudicial killings by the military in Anambra and other parts of Nigeria” on Friday.
It was reported that ahead of the Anambra State governorship election on November 6, the Nigerian Army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashed and caused the deaths of some civilians. IPOB has previously vowed that they would not allow any election to take place until their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is freed.
“In Nigeria, the first law is the Constitution, which empowers the President to use federal forces to combat domestic disturbances,” said HURIWA.
“Section 305 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to issue a proclamation of state of emergency is another basis for military internal security operations.
“This section provides that a state of emergency shall be declared in the following situations: When there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security.”
HURIWA asserted that “the duty to restore law and order within a country is that of the civil authorities”, and the military is only used under a state of emergency. It also demanded the Army respect human rights in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
