Violence Erupts in Nigeria
Violence has broken out between Nigerian security forces and separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Tensions have been rising between authorities and IPOB supporters with the renewal of protests demanding independence for the Igbo people in Biafra.
After two days of riots, which led to the death of one police officer, 32 people were arrested in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
In neighbouring Abia State, pro-Biafra supporters targeted police in Aba, as well as the capital, Umuahia. Protesters attacked police vehicles, threw petrol bombs and lit fires to limit police movement. They also burnt down a police station on Thursday morning.
Authorities responded by firing warning shots and making arrests in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators.
The latest protests followed an announcement by IPOB on Tuesday that revealed that the Nigerian Army had killed five of its members. The army has denied this claim.
IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in 2015 for treason and has been out on bail pending trial.
According to his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s residence was stormed by soldiers on Thursday evening. Ejiofor said that they forcefully gained entry after shooting at the compound for about 40 minutes.
He added: “[The] military has declared war on the innocent, unarmed and defenceless civilians. The situation is serious. My client whereabout has remained unknown [sic].”
Humanitarian groups have accused the Nigerian military of the abuse of human rights during their attempts to keep order. They claim that IPOB supporters have been tortured and abducted, and that at least 150 were killed in the last two years. Hundreds more have also been injured in the clashes.
