Nigeria: Update to Response to Information Request NGA4458 of 20 March 1990 on the Ibo (or Igbo)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA22231.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Update to Response to Information Request NGA4458 of 20 March 1990 on the Ibo (or Igbo), 1 November 1995, NGA22231.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab9b78.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
As detailed below, since 1994 various sources have reported Igbo complaints of marginalization in Nigerian society, as well as incidents of ethnic clashes involving the Igbo.
Agence France Presse (AFP), the BBC and Reuters reported claims by the Igbo that they have been "marginalized" in Nigerian politics (AFP 18 Oct. 1995; BBC 12 Jan. 1995; Reuters 16 Sept. 1994).
In Janaury 1995 Reuters also reported complaints of victimization and discrimination by Igbo leaders, who cited the example of an Igbo trader killed in Kano, in northern Nigeria (12 Jan. 1995). The same month the BBC reported two separate killings of Igbo Christians in northern Nigeria (24 Jan. 1995).
Several sources report that Igbos were involved in ethnic clashes in both the north and south of Nigeria during 1994 and 1995. Africa Research Bulletin stated that in June 1995 an ethnic clash had taken place in Kano between Hausa and Igbo, resulting in between five and 100 deaths (24 July 1995, 11892). AFP reported that as may as 30 people in Kano were killed, while the BBC reported that three people had died in clashes between Ibo and Hausas (AFP 16 June 1995; ibid. 31 May 1995; BBC 30 May 1995).
For additional information on this subject, please consult the attachments.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series. [Oxford]. 24 July 1995. Vol. 32, No. 6. "Nigeria: Political Tension Rises."
Agence France Presse (AFP). 18 October 1995. "Quarter-century After Biafra, Book Slams Igbo 'Marginalization'." (NEXIS)
_____ [Paris, in English]. 16 June 1995. "Nigeria: Reportage on Threats Against Non-Muslims Fundamentalists Circulate Pamphlets." (FBIS-AFR-117 19 June 1995, p.22)
_____. 31 May 1995. "Death Toll Reaches 30 in Kano State Ethnic Clashes." (FBIS-AFR-105 1 June 1995, p. 13)
BBC World Service [London, in English]. 30 May 1995. "Hausas, Ibos Clash in Kano; 3 Reported Dead." (FBIS-AFR-104 31 May 1995, pp. 13-14)
_____. 24 January 1995. "Tensions Rise in North; Ibo Man Killed." (FBIS-AFR-95-016 25 Jan. 1995, pp. 27-28)
_____. 12 January 1995. "Ibos Accuse Government of Discrimination." (FBIS-AFR-95-012 19 Jan. 1995, p. 28)
Reuters. 12 January 1995. BC Cycle. "Igbo Leaders Allege Persecution in Nigeria." (NEXIS)
_____. 16 September 1994. BC Cycle. "Igbo Leaders Demand Share of Power in Nigeria." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Africa No. 1 [Libreville, in French]. 1 September 1994. "Ibos, Yorubas Urge Withdrawal from National Conference." (FBIS-AFR-94-171 2 Sept. 1994, p. 12)
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series. [Oxford]. 24 July 1995. Vol. 32, No. 5. "Nigeria: Political Tension Rises," p. 11892.
_____. 24 November 1994. Vol. 31, No. 9. "Nigeria: Constitutional Conference," pp. 11609-10.
Agence France Presse (AFP). 18 October 1995. "Quarter-century After Biafra, Book Slams Igbo 'Marginalisation'." (NEXIS)
_____ [Paris, in English]. 16 June 1995. "Fundamentalists Circulate Pamphlets." (FBIS-AFR-117 19 June 1995, p.22)
_____. 31 May 1995. "Death Toll Reaches 30 in Kano State Ethnic Clashes." (FBIS-AFR-105 1 June 1995, p. 13)
BBC World Service [London, in English]. 30 May 1995. "Hausas, Ibos Clash in Kano; 3 Reported Dead." (FBIS-AFR-104 31 May 1995, pp. 13-14)
_____. 24 January 1995. "Tension Rises in North; Ibo Man Killed." (FBIS-AFR-95-016 25 Jan. 1995, pp. 27-28)
_____. 12 January 1995. "Ibos Accuse Government of Discrimination." (FBIS-AFR-95-012 19 Jan. 1995, p. 28)
_____. 4 January 1995. "Yoruba, Ibo Leaders Meet, Attempt New Alliance." (FBIS-AFR-95-007 11 Jan. 1995, p. 15)
_____. 1 August 1994. "Ethnic Clashes Reported in Lagos; One Said Dead." (FBIS-AFR-94-148 2 Aug. 1995, pp. 13-14)
Economic Review. March 1995. "Crisis in Nigeria - Dawning of a New Dark Age." (NEXIS)
NTA Television Network [Lagos, in English]. 11 August 1994. "Igbos Meet in Abuja to Discuss State of Nation, Security." (FBIS-AFR-94-156 12 Aug. 1994, p. 15)
Reuters. 12 January 1995. BC Cycle. "Igbo Leaders Allege Persecution in Nigeria." (NEXIS)
_____. 16 September 1994. BC Cycle. "Igbo Leaders Demand Share of Power in Nigeria." (NEXIS)
_____. 31 August 1994. BC Cycle. Nicholas Kotch. "Grand Dreams Dead, Nigeria's Aim is Mere Survival." (NEXIS)
West Africa [London]. 15-21 August 1994. "Nigeria: Clash Not Ethnic," p. 1432.
