(New York, November 1, 2001) - In advance of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, Human Rights Watch 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, November 2 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 U.S. commitment to human rights in Nigeria.”
Human Rights Watch issued a statement on October 25 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 October 22, 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 U.S. 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.”
