Amnesty International Demands Release Of Igbo Couple

 

The Nigerian military has been accused of unjustly detaining Mr Ifedi Sunday and his wife, Calista, at Wawa Barracks in Niger State since 2021 without trial, leaving their children and extended family in anguish.

The Igbo couple, who have not been presented before a court or formally charged, are accused of being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for Biafra’s secession.

Their detention has drawn widespread condemnation for its violation of due process and basic human rights.

The couple’s prolonged imprisonment has led to severe hardship for their family, with their children reportedly dropping out of school due to financial and emotional strain.

Since their arrest, the couple has been denied access to legal representation and contact with their children, raising concerns about the disregard for legal and humanitarian standards by the Nigerian military.

Reacting to the detention, Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the couple, condemning what it described as a “brazen disregard for national, regional, and international human rights obligations.”

“This is an assault on the rule of law. Children of Sunday and Calista Ifedi have all dropped out of school and since 2021 have been deprived of contact with their parents. The authorities must ensure that the rights of individuals are protected, and justice is upheld. Sunday and Calista Ifedi must be released immediately.

“This unjust detention violates the rule of law and further exemplifies the Nigerian authorities’ persistent abuse of power.

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“The authorities must, at all times and in all cases, comply with international human rights law and standards,” the global human rights body stated,.

The organization noted that the case of the Ifedis is part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances in the South-East, where security forces have been accused of targeting individuals perceived to be associated with IPOB.

The organisation said since 2016, it has documented numerous cases of unlawful arrests, torture, and extrajudicial actions by the Nigerian military and Department of State Services (DSS) as part of their crackdown on pro-Biafra activities.

Reports have emerged of Nigerian security agencies, particularly the military and Department of State Services (DSS), carrying out enforced disappearances in the South-East region.

These clandestine operations aim to suppress the agitation for Biafra restoration, which has escalated tensions in the region.

The situation has deteriorated into a war-like zone, with unknown gunmen targeting security checkpoints and formations, while the Nigerian Army has been accused of burning communities.

The enforced disappearances have raised concerns about human rights violations, with Amnesty International documenting several cases of mass arrests, torture, extortion, and extrajudicial executions by law enforcement officers responding to IPOB activities in the South-East and South-West.

Families of victims have been left in anguish, waiting for news of their loved ones.