In the wake of the latest bomb attacks which
killed dozens and injured more than 180 people, Amnesty International
(AI), on Thursday warned the Boko Haram sect to end its calumny of senseless
killings. In a statement made available to THISDAY by AI Press Officer, Eulette Ewart,
the group said, “Boko Haram must end its campaign of senseless killings and the
Nigerian authorities must bring those responsible to justice.
“At least 32 people are reported to have been killed by a
bomb blast in the north eastern Nigerian city of Yola on Tuesday 17, November
while at least 14 people died following a double suicide bomb attack by two
female suicide bombers in a market in the city of Kano on Wednesday 18
November.
“While Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility for all these attacks, Amnesty International believes, based on analysis of the pattern of attacks as well as information gathered from witnesses and human rights defenders, that the bombings fit the group’s methods and targets.”
Quoting Amnesty International’s Africa Research and Advocacy Director, Netsanet Belay, the statement said, “These shocking acts of brutality cannot be permitted to continue with no accountability. How much longer must people in Nigeria be forced to live in fear as such heinous attacks are committed against them?
“We reiterate our call on Boko Haram to stop
these senseless killings and on the Nigerian government to take all possible
legal steps to ensure the protection of civilians and restore security in the
north east. Those responsible for these crimes must be brought to justice.” According
to Ewart, “Amnesty International has been documenting war crimes and crimes
against humanity committed by Boko Haram since 2009.
“In April 2015, Amnesty International released a report titled ‘Our job is to shoot, slaughter and kill’: Boko Haram’s reign of terror in north-east Nigeria. “The report documented acts amounting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Boko Haram, drawing on 377 interviews, including 189 with victims and eye-witnesses to attacks by Boko Haram; 22 with local officials; 22 with military sources; and 102 with human rights defenders. “To date there have been very few effective investigations and prosecutions of Boko Haram members for crimes under international law.”