Violations of Human Rights in Biafra Land

Following Nigeria’s independence from Britain six years earlier, 1966 saw a series of massacres against people of Igbo origin then living in northern Nigeria. September 1966 represented the height of the massacres with “conservative estimates” putting the casualties at between ten and thirty thousand for that month alone.

These events led to the mass movement of Igbo people and other Eastern Nigerians (estimated to total more than one million people) back to Eastern Nigeria. This was the precursor to Eastern Nigeria’s secession from Nigeria as the Republic of Biafra resulting in the brutal Nigerian Civil War (1967 – 1970), which Biafra lost. That war has left an indelible scar of the Biafran people. Millions died. Nigeria pursued an active policy of starving Biafra into submission. Images of that war of children starving to death continue to define post-colonial Africa.

Since losing the war, the Biafran people have continued to face persecution and marginalisation. Investigations reveal how peaceful, pro-Biafran gatherings continue today to be routinely met by Nigerian military force firing live ammunition with little or no warning to disperse crowds. People identifying as Biafran are subject to arbitrary arrest and detention. Torture, disappearances and the use of lethal force are commonplace. Biafrans are denied freedom of association and assembly, as well as constraints on free speech.

In addition, Fulani herdsmen from the north of Nigeria have been forcefully taking over farmland owned by Biafran people, driving out families and communities and often killing people in the process. So far, the Nigerian authorities have done nothing to stop these violent incursions.

In addition, Fulani herdsmen from the north of Nigeria have been forcefully taking over farmland owned by Biafran people, driving out families and communities and often killing people in the process. So far, the Nigerian authorities have done nothing to stop these violent incursions.

The following links to documents and reports chart the catalogue of recent human rights violations against the Biafran people.