Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the recent violence in Port Harcourt, which reportedly targeted northerners and led to the destruction of property and livelihoods valued at hundreds of millions of naira.
The unrest followed the killing of an individual in Igwuruta, located in Ikwerre Local Government Area, on February 10. The incident sparked protests and attacks that left several people injured and others traumatised.
In a statement, the rights organisation warned that the frequency with which individuals are attacked or killed based on identity should serve as a wake-up call for the government to strengthen accountability mechanisms and protect fundamental human rights.
Amnesty International stressed that official condemnations alone are insufficient, urging authorities to ensure that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice through due process. It maintained that holding perpetrators accountable is essential to curbing reprisals and preventing a broader escalation of identity-based violence with potentially far-reaching consequences.
