nach einer Recherche in unserer Länderdokumentation und im Internet können wir Ihnen zu oben genannter Fragestellung Materialien zur Verfügung stellen, die unter anderem folgende Informationen enthalten:

In den ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehenden Quellen konnten im Rahmen der zeitlich begrenzten Recherche keine konkreten Informationen zu Brandlegungen durch MASSOB-Mitglieder am 24. Juni 2006 bei den Polizeistationen „Orumba Police Station Okpoko” und “People’s Club Police Posten Onitsha Owere Road Onitsha” gefunden werden.

 

Bei unserer Suche auf ecoi.net, allAfrica.com und mit google wurden unter anderem folgende Suchbegriffe verwendet:

massob Orumba police; massob Orumba; massob Okpoko Police; massob Okpoko; massob Onitsha police; massob asrson (veröffentlicht nach: 01. Juni 2006); Massob (veröffentlicht nach: 01. Juni 2006); bomb OR arson Or fire OR attack OR ablaze massob police "June 2006"; bomb OR arson Or fire OR attack OR ablaze AND massob AND police;

Massob Onitsha "June 2006"; Massob "24 June 2006" OR "24.06.2006"; "June 2006" Massob Okpoko; Massob "24 June 2006" OR "24.06.2006"; Massob "Onitsha Owere Road" OR "Onitsha Owerri Road"; Okpoko "police station" "June 2006"; Owere OR Owerri "police station" "June 2006"; bomb OR arson Or fire OR attack OR ablaze massob police "June 2006"; "People's club police" massob; "Orumba Police station" massob; "Orumba Police" massob; Orumba massob

Massob "24 June 2006"; Massob 24 June 2006; Massob June; Massob June Onitsha police;

Orumba police Station Okpoko; people's club police posten Onitsha Owere Road; people's club police posten Onitsha Owerri Road; police Onitsha Owerri Massob; police Onitsha Owerri Massob 2006

 

Jedoch konnten allgemeine Informationen über Zusammenstöße zwischen MASSOB und Polizei in Anambra State, besonders in Onitsha, sowie Informationen zu Angriffen auf Polizeistationen und dortige Brandlegungen im Zeitraum rund um den genannten Tag gefunden werden.

 

In seinem Länderbericht zur Menschenrechtssituation in Nigeria vom 6. März 2007 zu Vorkommnissen im Jahr 2006 berichtet das US Department of State (USDOS) von häufigen gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen zwischen MASSOB und der Regierung, welche besonders in Onitsha und Anambra State stattgefunden hätten:

“Members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), a separatist group espousing Igbo unity and the secession of Igbo states as its prime tenets, initiated frequent violent clashes with the government, particularly in Onitsha and Anambra states. Police sometimes reacted by arresting large numbers of MASSOB members. For example, in June police in Anambra State suspected MASSOB of kidnapping four police officers and responded by arresting 69 people. Two others were killed in the arrest sweep. Formal charges against the 69 arrested persons were not announced by year's end.” (USDOS, 6. März 2007, Abschnitt 1d)

Die Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe (SFH) hält in ihrem Update zu Nigeria vom 18. Dezember 2006 fest, dass es im Jahr 2006 Angriffe der MASSOB auf Polizeistationen gegeben habe:

“Zusammenstösse zwischen staatlichen Sicherheitskräften und bewaffneten MASSOB-Mitgliedern forderten Hunderte Todesopfer. Der MASSOB-Gründer Chief Ralph Uwazuruike wurde im November 2005 zusammen mit weiteren MASSOB-Mitgliedern wegen versuchtem Regierungsumsturz, Zugehörigkeit zu einer militanten Organisation sowie Störung von Sicherheit und Ordnung angeklagt. Auch 2006 wird MASSOB für Angriffe auf Polizeistationen verantwortlich gemacht.“  (SFH, 18. Dezember 2006, S.5)

Am 26. Juni 2006 schreibt die nigerianische Zeitung This Day über gewaltsame Aus­schreitungen zwischen Polizei, mutmaßlichen AnhängerInnen der MASSOB und NARTO, der Vereinigung von Besitzern von Transportunternehmen (National Association of Road Transport Owners), die „letzte Woche“ in Onitsha stattgefunden hätten:

“The violence that made Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, to once again arrest the attention of Nigerians last week might have come and gone but from Chinedu Eze's account, the real losers are the people who had nothing to do with the rage The curfew from dusk to dawn, imposed in Onitsha, due to the clash between hoodlums suspected to be members of the Movement for the Actualisation for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the police and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), which have claimed many lives was a tragic story to not only the residents of the town, but to many commuters who pass through the South Eastern gateway to towns and states in the South West.” (This Day, 26. Juni 2006)

Am 5. Juli 2006 erwähnt This Day Ausschreitungen in Onitsha vom 24. bis zum 26. Juni. In dem Artikel wird jedoch die Meinung vertreten, dass nicht die MASSOB sondern „Gangster“ bzw. „AuftragsmörderInnen“ hinter den Ausschreitungen stünden:

“What happened on June 24 through 26 was rather typical of Onitsha. Hoodlums who are agents of well-placed politicians and contractors seized the city and for a number of days held it hostage. All but few of those who had the misfortune of running into the hired murderers had a sad story to tell. Nothing could be more impetuous than for the miscreants to have stormed the prison in the town where they disarmed the guards and freed in-mates. If evidence was needed that Onitsha had become a failed city that was one. Those who are trying to seduce Nigerians into believing that what happened in Onitsha was an agitation by MASSOB ought to know better.” (This Day, 5. Juli 2006)

Das Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) berichtet am 24. Juli 2006 von einem MASSOB-Angriff auf die Polizeistation in Nnewi, Anambra State. Dieser Angriff folge einem Muster von Übergriffen auf Polizeistationen welche im Zusammenhang mit dem Kampf der Gruppe für eine unabhängiges Biafra gesehen werde. Laut Aussage des Polizeikommissars John seien die AngreiferInnen auf die Polizeistation in Nnewi Mitglieder der separatistischen Gruppe, welche nach Auseinandersetzungen mit der Polizei im Juni aus der nahe gelegenen Stadt Onitsha vertrieben worden seien:

“AWKA, 24 July 2006 (IRIN) - Dozens of armed men attacked a police station in Nigeria’s southeastern Anambra state leaving four people dead, among them two policemen, police said on Monday. 

The attack on the police station in the trading town of Nnewi on Saturday is part of a pattern of recent attacks on police stations Anambra linked to a group campaigning for an independent Biafra republic for the region’s mainly ethnic Igbos.

[…]

According to John [Police Commissioner Haruna John], those who attacked the Nnewi station were among members of the separatist group dislodged from the nearby city of Onitsha following clashes with the police in June. The violence had spiraled in the city afterwards as it drew in other armed gangs residents say are being sponsored by politicians jostling ahead of elections early next year.” (IRIN, 24. Juli 2006)

Die Nigerianische Zeitung Daily Champion berichtet in einem Artikel vom 27. Juni 2006, dass die Stadt Onitsha seit über einer Woche aufgrund blutiger Zusammenstöße zwischen Mitgliedern der MASSOB, der Polizei und der Nationalen Vereinigung von Besitzern von Transportunternehmen (National Association of Road Transport Owners) im Chaos versunken sei. Im Laufe dieser Auseinandersetzungen sei unter anderem auch eine Polizeistation in Brand gesetzt worden:

“Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State, has been on a tailspin over a week now. This is as a result of bloody clashes between members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the police and the National Association of Road Transport Owners. Uneasy calm still reigns in the commercial city.

The clashes, perhaps the worst in recent years, brought economic activities to a standstill. Lives and properties were lost in the mayhem. MASSOB claims at least eight of its members were killed. Police said many arrests were made. Police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was burnt and a police armoury also looted. A police station was set ablaze, while a prison in Onitsha was destroyed and over 200 of its inmates freed by the mob.” (Daily Champion, 27. Juni 2006)

In einem Artikel von This Day vom 19. Juni 2006 wird von einer vom Gouverneur von Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi,  verhängten Ausgangssperre in Onitsha berichtet, die bis zum 24. Juni 2006 dauern solle.

Weiters ist die Rede davon, dass RandaliererInnen die Polizeistation an der 33. Straßen­kreuzung vollkommen zerstört hätten, eine Polizeizelle geöffnet hätten und zwei Insassen befreit hätten, bevor sie die Station in Brand gesetzt hätten.

Der Busfahrer Mr. Ikwuka Chukwuka habe der Zeitung berichtet, dass er Augenzeuge der Tötungen und Zerstörungen gewesen sei, die entlang der Onitsha-Owerri Straße und im Gebiet Okpoko stattgefunden hätten. Laut dem Augenzeugen seien NARTO und die Polizei für diese Auseinandersetzungen verantwortlich gewesen:

“Anambra State Government yesterday imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the commercial city of Onitsha following bloody clashes in the city in the last four days involving the police, members of a separatist group and transport owners union. 

The state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi who announced the curfew in his second broadcast to the people of the state within 48 hours said it would run from 7pm last night to 6am Saturday, June 24, 2006.

For four days running, the police and members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) had been involved in clashes which had claimed lives.

[…]

At the "33" junction police station which the hoodlums razed down, Mr. Ikechukwu Egbochukwu, an assistant superintendent of police, said the hoodlums opened the cell and released two in-mates there before setting the station ablaze. 

A Mitsubishi Commutter bus driver, Mr. Ikwuka Chukwuka who said he was an eye witness to the killings and destructions along the Onitsha-Owerri road and the Okpoko area of the commercial city told the governor that members of NARTO and the police were behind the acts. 

‘NARTO members and the mobile policemen with them killed innocent people on Friday and Saturday as they combed everywhere in Okpoko and Owerri road after the police and MASSOB members clashed on Thursday. Three people were killed Saturday and two were burnt’, he told Governor Obi.” (This Day, 19. Juni 2006)

Das Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) berichtet in einem Artikel vom 4. September 2006 von Ausschreitungen der Polizei mit Mitgliedern der Vereinigung von Besitzern von Transportunternehmen (NARTO) und AktivistInnen der MASSOB. In dem zwei Wochen andauernden Chaos in Onitsha seien zwei Polizeistationen und das Zentralgefängnis von Onitsha niedergebrannt worden. Die Gewalt habe sich auf andere Städte in Anambra State ausgebreitet:

“Early in July the clashes escalated with members of the National Association of Road Transport Operators (NARTO) taking on MASSOB activists. During a two-week period of mayhem in Onitsha, two police stations and the main prison in the city were burnt down. Dozens of people were killed. The violence then spread to other towns in Anambra state.” (IRIN, 4. September 2006)

In einem auf OnlineNigeria.com veröffentlichten Beitrag vom 18. Juni 2006 wird von den Reaktionen des Gouverneurs von Anambra State, Peter Obi auf die Unruhen in Onitsha berichtet. Unter anderem habe der Gouverneur eine Tour durch das „Kriegsgebiet“ absolviert und dabei auch Polizeistationen, die zerstört worden seinen, inspiziert. Hierbei habe Obi auch den People's Club police post besichtigt:

“The governor inspected only two out of the four police stations at "33" area of Nsugbe; and the People's Club police post. He could not visit the In-land Town Police Post and the Marine Police Station, which were razed down. 

At the "33" police station which was newly commissioned, Obi was confronted with charred police uniforms, documents, exhibits, personal effects and completely burnt down building. An assistant Superintendent (ASP) Ikechukwu Egbuchukwu told the governor that his men were subdued by the superior fire power of the miscreants who set the station ablaze with petrol bombs. He also confirmed that one of the detainees set free by the rioters had been re-arrested. 

At Owerri Road where more casualties were reportedly recorded, one of the newly-acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and another police duty truck were completely burnt beyond recognition.” (OnlineNigeria.com, 18. Juni 2006)

Auch in dem auf der Webseite Oyibosonline / The expat’s guide to Nigeria veröffentlichten Bericht zur Sicherheitslage werden die blutigen Auseinandersetzungen in Onitsha erwähnt. Die Aufständischen hätten die Polizei in Schießereien verwickelt bei denen die Sicherheits­kräfte unter anderem zwei Polizeistationen verloren hätten:

“In Onitsha, following bloody clashes in the city in which last four days involving the police, members of a separatist group and transport owners union Anambra State Government imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the 18th of June 2006 on the city. The state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi who announced the curfew in his second broadcast to the people of the state within 48 hours said it would run from 7pm last night to 6am Saturday, the 24th of June 2006. For four days, the police and members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) had been involved in clashes which had claimed many lives. Obi, in his address last night, reiterated his administration's resolve not to negotiate with ‘miscreants who call themselves members of NARTO and MASSOB’ and said he had duly briefed President Olusegun Obasanjo on the situation in Onitsha. He disclosed that he had promised to take necessary actions while he appealed to the ‘miscreants disrupting Anambra's peace to desist.’ The governor later took an inspection tour of the flash points in Onitsha where he accessed the level of damage inflicted on the city by those he called miscreants who had held the town under siege. They had also engaged the police in gun battles at the end of which the police lost two police stations, an armoured personnel carrier (APC), a military jeep, some officers and men of the police force along with some civilians. At the ‘33’ junction police station which the hoodlums razed down, Mr. Ikechukwu Egbochukwu, an assistant superintendent of police, said the hoodlums opened the cell and released two in-mates there before setting the station ablaze. A mob also broke into a prison and allowed 204 inmates to escape and razed it to the ground. A Mitsubishi Commuter bus driver, Mr. Ikwuka Chukwuka who said he was an eye witness to the killings and destruction along the Onitsha-Owerri road and the Okpoko area of the commercial city told the governor that members of NARTO and the police were behind the acts. ‘NARTO members and the mobile policemen with them killed innocent people on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th of June 2006 as they combed everywhere in Okpoko and Owerri road after the police and MASSOB members clashed on Thursday 16th of June 2006. Three people were killed Saturday and two were burnt’, he told Governor Obi.” (Oyibosonline, ohne Datum)

Diese Informationen beruhen auf einer zeitlich begrenzten Recherche in öffentlich zugänglichen Dokumenten, die ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehen. Diese Antwort stellt keine Meinung zum Inhalt eines bestimmten Ansuchens um Asyl oder anderen internationalen Schutz dar. Wir empfehlen, die verwendeten Materialien zur Gänze durchzusehen.

Quellen: