MOSOP condemns military invasion of Ogoni communities
(Nigeria) The apex organisation of the Ogoni people, MOSOP, has expressed outrage, just as it condemned in
strong terms, the invasion of Ogoni communities in Rivers State by the Nigerian
military and demand from government the immediate withdrawal of the invading
soldiers.
Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Mr Fegalo Nsuke in a statement
on Wednesday, said “Reports available to MOSOP have shown that rather than end
the condemnable campaign, the military has this morning (23/2/2016) extended
the violence to Bori, shooting indiscriminately and advancing into adjoining communities
including Zaakpon.
A lifeless body of an Okada rider on the street of Bori on Tuesday, allegedly shoot during the invasion.“The shooting, which is on-going had saddeningly seen to the cold blooded murder of innocent persons, infliction of serious gunshot injuries on others, paralysis of activities in the Ogoni capital and its environs as well as arbitrary arrests thereby forcing natives and residents to flee to safety.
“The soldiers had on February 22 violently invaded Yeghe
community in Gokana Local Government Area of Ogoni, Rivers State occasioning
the killing of three innocent natives
including Saturday Gbarazia, inflicted severe gunshot injuries on other
victims, whose health conditions are said to be very critical, destroyed
properties and made arbitrary arrests.
“Similarly, the military aided by one notorious Isaac Obe
had raided Alode in Eleme Local Government Area on Friday, February 19, 2016
occasioning torture and arbitrary arrest of victims, destruction of properties
belonging to Messrs. Ndo Chizor, John Saloka and others.
“We consider as extremely disappointing and unfortunate
these unprovoked military violence against our people, which betrays
repressively sinister motive and reminiscent of our sad past. We find it
difficult to rationalise the wisdom in this military campaign, cruelly
motivated by hidden and evil intent. No matter what may be adduced to have
informed this appalling military approach, violence in our view, cannot provide
the necessary solution to civil issues but dialogue.
“Insofar as we are concerned, we are not in a military state
neither are we in a state of war that should warrant such degree of military
violence. It is shocking and smacks of hate and callousness that in a
democratic dispensation, which requires proper civil conduct on the part of all
including the military, such level of military hardware including tanks will be
deployed to purely harmless civilian communities in a matter that has not been
well substantiated.
“The military must therefore, tread causciously and maintain
its independence and professionalism as well as resist attempts by desperate
politicians to drag them into the murky waters of politics including being used
to commit human rights abuses.
“Facts abound that Ogoni had made enormous sacrifices
including paying the supreme price for the rebirth and sustenance of the
current democracy. We have thus expected that we would be treated fairly and
not turning our communities into theatres of violence and killing fields.
“It appears to us that this devious campaign may be aimed at
creating an unconducive atmosphere in the area to frustrate the planned Ogoni
environmental remediation and restoration project billed to commence in the
first quarter of this year.
“We are therefore, call on all men of goodwill including the
international community to prevail on Abuja to withdraw soldiers from Ogoni and
stop further violence against our people.
“For obvious reasons, we would be protesting the unprovoked
violation of the inalienable rights of our people including the right to life
to the United Nations, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation and
Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission.
“At this crucial moment, we call on the Ogoni people to
remain calm and resist the temptation to take laws into their hands. We will
continue to monitor the situation and report appropriately.”
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