No “Genocide” In Nigeria

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31802, 5 October 1968, Page 13

No “Genocide” In Nigeria

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LAGOS, Oct. 4. International observers sent to Nigeria reported yesterday that they had seen “no evidence of any intent” by Nigerian troops to wipe out the Ibo people in the Nigerian civil war.

“The use of the term genocide is in no way justified, they said in their official report. The observers were MajorGeneral H. Alexander of Britain, Major-General W. Milroy of Canada, Major-General A. Raab of Sweden, and Mr N. Gussing, the special representative of the United Nations secretary-general (U Thant). The six page report was signed by the first three members. Mr Gussing is to report separately to U Thant. The observers had been invited by the Nigerian Government to investigate Biafran

claims that Federal troops were committing genocide. Their report said troops in the area “are taking positive action to obtain the confidence of the local population and assist them in re-establishing a normal life.” An increasing number of the inhabitants of villages, almost all of them Ibos, were returning to their homes, it said. “The people who have returned to the villages display no fear of the Federal troops.” Food and medicine were being provided to the civilian population through the combined efforts of the army, the civil administration and the Red Cross. While supplies of food had been adequate, the supply of drugs and medical assistance in the area “seems to be inadequate because of a shortage of transport, particularly air transport.”

The observers said the situation could become serious if an expected large increase in the number of people requiring such assistance took place. They added that they had received no evidence of deliberate and unnecessary destruction of property by Federal forces. They said they proposed to make their next visit to the war front—to the Third Marine Commando Division.