IYC Warns Against Brutalisation Of Pro-Biafra Protesters

YENAGOA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has warned against the brutalization of pro-Biafra protesters by security operatives in the country.

It posited that such military measures would infringe on their fundamental human rights, stressing that their action was permissible in a democratic dispensation.

IYC therefore advised the Federal Government to adopt dialogue to resolve the issues that had occasioned the pro-Biafra agitations in the South-East and some parts of the South-South.

Biafra – The Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB] on a peaceful protest in Onitsha, Friday, 6 November 2015

Biafra [IPOB] ‘Leader’ Nnamdi Kalu

“To adopt a military approach to crush pro-Biafra protesters as being suggested by some military operatives is not the solution.

“It would only escalate the crisis.

“We warn against military brutalization and human rights abuse by security agencies. The right to peaceful protest is an integral part of a democratic society”, IYC said.

It noted that massive pro-Biafra protests in recent times had once more brought to the fore the urgent need to honestly and holistically renegotiate the terms of Nigerian’s existence as a nation.

“To claim that all is well with Nigeria is self-deceit. The structure of Nigeria must be such that would allow people from different regions to develop at their own pace towards realization of the full potential without being hindered by the wish of people from other parts of the country”, it stated.

IYC reiterated its call for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the founder of Radio Biafra and Director of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“Having been granted bail and bail conditions fulfilled, it amounts to illegality for the Directorate of State Security (DSS) to continue to keep Mr. Nnamdi in detention.

“National security agencies must have regard for the rule of law in the exercise of their constitutional functions”, it added.

Credit: Daily Independent (Nigeria)