Nigeria 
"Hold Nigerian military to account"

afrol News, 1 November - Nigerian President Obasanjo has still to condemn the army's massacres of at least 100 civilians in Benue State that began on 22 October. Human rights groups now repeat their demands to hold the military to account. 

In advance of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's meeting with US President George W. Bush, the US group Human Rights Watch today urged Bush "to raise concerns about the recent massacre by soldiers in Benue State, Central Nigeria". President Obasanjo is due to meet separately with President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday, 2 November to discuss anti-terrorism measures.

- The anti-terrorism agenda must not prevent President Bush from condemning human rights violations by the Nigerian security forces, said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Africa division. "Failure to raise these concerns just days after the Nigerian army killed unarmed civilians and destroyed homes and property would send a dangerous signal about US commitment to human rights in Nigeria."

Human Rights Watch issued a statement on 25 October condemning the actions of the Nigerian military in Benue State. The soldiers were apparently acting in revenge for the earlier killing of 19 soldiers attributed to an armed group. 

Initial figures indicated that at least 100 people had been killed in the military reprisal that began on 22 October, but on the basis of information received since then, Human Rights Watch believes that the real civilian toll is likely to be significantly higher. The situation in the area remains critical, with tens of thousands of people displaced by the violence. 

President Obasanjo has thus far failed to condemn the army's actions. "We deplore the absence of any recognition on the part of the government of the gravity of what happened in Benue," said Takirambudde. "If the US government considers Nigeria to be a close ally, it has a responsibility to condemn these atrocities and urge President Obasanjo to investigate the events and bring those responsible to justice."

The Nigerian army categorically rejects any involvement in the massacres, which embarrassingly remind of the "pacification" attacks of earlier colonial troops. Nigerian President Obasanjo still has not commented the alleged army responsibility for the massacre, but is expected to take firm action if the allegations are confirmed.

International pressure is high against the federal government to take action. Amnesty International earlier has demanded "a prompt, effective and impartial inquiry" into the massacre. 

Reacting to the military denial of the massacre, the organisation said, "Rather than seeking to deny, minimize or justify these extrajudicial executions, the government of Nigeria must - if it is to prevent further deaths - condemn the killings publicly and make it clear that those responsible will be held accountable."

Sources: Based on Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and afrol archives

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