Amnesty: Killers of CAN chairman must not go unpunished

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika local government area of Adamawa state. 

Andim, who hailed from Kwada village in Chibok local government area of Borno state, worked as a pastor in Michika. He was abducted early January when the insurgents attacked Michika.

Days after his abduction, the clergyman appeared in a video clip where he asked Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, to rescue him.

The news of his death broke on Tuesday morning.

Reacting to his death, Osai Ojigho, director of AI Nigeria, said the crimes committed by the insurgent must not go unpunished.

The organisation urged the government to increase efforts to rescue kidnapped victims and asked that all those responsible for war crimes and human rights violations be brought to justice.

“Since December last year, Boko Haram has been escalating attacks on civilians, commuters, infrastructure and humanitarian facilities across northeast,” he said.

“Amnesty International is appalled by reports that Reverend Lawan Andimi, the chairman of a local chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), was killed by Boko Haram yesterday,” the statement said.

“With this horrific murder and an increasing number of attacks in recent weeks, Boko Haram has again shown its brazen disregard for the sanctity of life. These deplorable crimes must not go unpunished.

“It is appalling that Boko Haram followed up the killing of Rev. Lawan Andimi on Monday with an attack on his village – in Chibok local government Borno state. Targeting civilians is a crime under international law.

“Boko Haram must immediately stop its attacks on civilians. All those responsible for war crimes and other human rights violations and abuses in Nigeria must be brought to justice in a fair trial.

“The Nigerian authorities must re-double their efforts to rescue the hundreds of civilians still detained by Boko Haram.”