AMNESTY International has called on Nigerian authorities to urgently account for hundreds of unidentified bodies allegedly being moved from mortuaries across Imo State to undisclosed locations.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 22, the rights group expressed concern over reports indicating that large numbers of unidentified remains were being evacuated from facilities, including Ngor Okpala General Hospital and Mbieri General Hospital.
Amnesty noted that video evidence obtained by its investigators showed coordinated transfers of human remains at night, with a majority of the bodies in advanced stages of decomposition.
“Horrifying videos obtained by Amnesty International show coordinated stages of moving the dead bodies at night. Majority of the bodies are at skeletal level and in large numbers,” the statement read.
The organisation urged the Imo State Government and relevant security agencies to establish the identities of the deceased, determine their causes of death, and clarify where the bodies are being relocated.
It also called for the immediate preservation of all mortuary records, medical documents, and forensic evidence to prevent interference with potential investigations.
Amnesty highlighted allegations that some of the deceased might have been victims of extrajudicial killings carried out during security operations in the state, demanding an independent and impartial probe.
“Allegations that some of the deceased may have been victims of unlawful killings during security operations in Imo State must be promptly, independently and impartially investigated,” the group stated.
It emphasised that affected families have a right to know the fate of their missing relatives and warned against any attempt to conceal or destroy evidence.
“Nobody or evidence should be concealed, destroyed, disposed of or otherwise interfered with. Anyone suspected of criminal responsibility for unlawful killings or other human rights violations must be investigated and, where there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecuted in fair proceedings,” Amnesty added.
Zainab Abdulrasaq ia a reporter and a fact-checker with The ICIR. She believes that accountable citizenship starts with an accountable government, which is why she highlights injustice and everyday struggles through her reporting, one story at a time. She adores reading and can be reached via zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org and @blackbookishgirl on Instagram/Medium