The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has set up a fact-finding team on the alleged reprisal killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by soldiers in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State.
Akpata disclosed this in a statement dated Wednesday, November 4.
He said that the four-man team to be led by the NBA 1st Vice President, John Aikpokpo Martins is to inquire into the events of the last few days and report to the NBA to enable the association to determine its next action.
Other members of the team are two former NBA Port-Harcourt branch chairmen, Victor Frank-Briggs and Anthonia Osademe and a former NBA Ukwa branch chairman, Chimaroke Elie.
The report of the team will be made public, Akpata added.
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The Governor Nyesom Wike administration in Rivers had on October 21 imposed a 24-hour curfew after some persons suspected to be IPOB members killed six soldiers and four policemen, and burnt public properties, including court buildings, police stations and vans.
The governor also signed an Executive Order banning IPOB’s activities in the state.
Following the state government’s actions, there were reports that soldiers were going from house to house to harass and kill suspected members of IPOB to avenge their colleagues’ killing.
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Akpata stated that followed reports of human rights violations and extrajudicial killings, he contacted the Chairmen of the Ukwa and Port Harcourt Branches of the NBA, being the two branches closest to Oyigbo.
“Whilst the Chairmen of the two branches expressed concern over the situation, they however informed me that they were yet to conduct an on-the-spot assessment owing to the curfew imposed on the area by the State Government to forestall breakdown of law and order.
“In a separate telephone conversation with the Governor of Rivers State, H. E. Nyesom Wike, he categorically denied ordering any such shooting as rumoured, but acknowledged clashes between men of the Nigerian military and some suspected lPOB members in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State.
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“The Governor further explained that the curfew imposed on the area was borne out of necessity and assured me that it would be lifted yesterday, 3rd November 2020. l have now confirmed that the curfew has indeed been lifted and that residents of the area are now able to go about their lawful activities,” Akpata said.
He emphasised the NBA’s stance that respect for human rights remained sacrosanct and “can only be derogated from in instances permitted by the Constitution or other laws.”
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