\n<\/p>\n
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) \u2014 At least 30 people have been killed after gunmen attacked travelers on a major highway in the southeastern part of Nigeria, rights group Amnesty International said.<\/p>\n
The rights group said Friday that more than 20 vehicles and trucks were set ablaze during the Thursday attack along the Okigwe-Owerri highway in Imo state. Police confirmed the attack but not the death toll.<\/p>\n
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but police suspect the Eastern Security Network, the paramilitary wing of the proscribed separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra.<\/p>\n
The secessionist campaign in southeastern Nigeria dates back to when the short-lived Republic of Biafra fought and lost a civil war from 1967 to 1970 to become independent from the West African country. An estimated 1 million people died in the conflict, many from starvation.<\/p>\n
The rights group said \u201cinternational law requires the Nigerian government to promptly investigate unlawful killings with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
One suspect connected to the attack was killed in a joint operation by law enforcement agencies, police spokesperson Okoye Henry said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n
Two of the group\u2019s prominent leaders, Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa, are in custody in Nigeria and Finland, respectively.<\/p>\n
Kanu is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.<\/p>\n
The Nigerian government said Friday it has not begun extradition proceedings but is in talks with Finnish authorities to ensure Ekpa is held accountable for his alleged actions.<\/p>\n
For many years Nigeria \u2014 Africa\u2019s most populous nation with at least 210 million people \u2014 has been wracked by violence related to the activities of armed extremist groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n