Boko Haram killed 3,500 civilians this year, says AI

In from Olumide Olaoluwa …
Boko Haram terrorists have killed no fewer than 1,600 civilians in the last four months.
This was contained in the latest report of human rights body, Amnesty International (AI) released on Wednesday.
The body claimed that the extremist sect has killed over 3,500 civilians this year alone, adding that the group remains a deadly threat in the region despite military advances.
AI accused the federal government of not investigating the allegations of extra judicial killings committed by the military four months after it raised the issues.
It also disclosed that about 400 civilians and dozens of security personnel have been killed by the insurgents since last year in neighbouring Cameroon.
“Despite advances by the military, attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger have claimed the lives of at least 1,600 people since the start of June, bringing the death toll to at least 3,500 civilians in 2015 alone.
“The number of people killed so far this year is truly shocking with more than 3,500 civilian fatalities in less than 300 days,” said Netsanet Belay, Amnesty International’s Africa Director for Research and Advocacy.
“Governments in affected countries must take all necessary legal measures to ensure the security of civilians in affected areas.”
“Today, as the UNHRC discusses violations and abuses committed in the context of the conflict, Amnesty International is renewing its call for adequate protection of civilians from Boko Haram attacks.
“Amnesty International is also calling for urgent and thorough investigations of serious human rights violations committed by their security forces.
“Following the publication of an Amnesty International report on 3 June President Buhari pledged to investigate evidence that Nigerian military forces have committed serious human rights violations, war crimes and acts which may constitute crimes against humanity.

Read also: FG worried over Amnesty silence on B’Haram atrocities

“It is nearly four months to the day since President Buhari vowed to investigate the serious crimes under international law which Amnesty International highlighted in its report,” said AI’s Netsanet Belay.
According to the group, thousands of victims are still waiting for justice, adding “President Buhari and his new cabinet must take urgent action to rigorously investigate all crimes under international law committed by both Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces.
“Similarly, in Cameroon crimes under international law and human rights violations have been committed by both Boko Haram and the state security forces.
“Such crimes have not been investigated effectively. Amnesty International calls on the government of Cameroon to urgently initiate thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into crimes under international law committed by all parties to the conflict in Cameroon.”

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