Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse federation which consists of 36 autonomous states and the Federal Capital Territory. A key regional player in West Africa, Nigeria accounts for about half of West Africa’s population with approximately 202 million people and one of the largest populations of youth in the world. With an abundance of natural resources, it is Africa’s biggest oil exporter, and has the largest natural gas reserves on the continent.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra was rearrested in June, after being arrested in June, after being arrested for the first time in October 2015, on the bases of his involvement in the disturbing the peace and violation of human rights. The Indigenous People of Biafra thrives on the grievances of the Nigeria-Biafra war (1967-1970). It regards the period of the war as the Biafran Genocide – 1 million people were reportedly massacred by the Nigerian military government. The Indigenous People of Biafra became a prominent force of Igbo nationalism under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu in 2012. This incident has leaded the state to declare him as enemy of the state. Before this he was also involved in the in pro-Biafran agitations through Radio Biafra, a station in London. In September 2017, the Government declare the organisation as terrorist organisation for which they were even criticised a lot.
The Nigerian Government has not taken any blame for the radicalisation for the violence against the non-state actors. Although the Government did everything to supress the people yet their ideology is still alive and active.
Recently, the South-eastern states are going through extreme violence in which a number of people have been killed. Nigeria has been accused by the Amnesty International, with the regards to use of force and violence by the security forces against the people killing 115. On the other hand at least 127 police and security forces have been killed according to the local reports of the country. Also, the local media has been reporting of attacks by the gunmen and in some cases by civilians on the police station as well as election commission. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an outlawed movement seeking independence for ethnic Igbo of the region, and its armed wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been blamed for the violence, but IPOB has denied the charges.
The local as well as the International human right organisations have accused the Government as well as the security forces of killing the innocent people, which they have declined. Both sides have been denying the allegation yet the death of civilians who are nowhere involved in any of the sides, have only bought the sufferings of the victim’s family.
