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Raid on Ogoni Village Leaves One Dead, at least 14 Injured SOGHO COMMUNITY, NYO, KHANA KINGDOM, OGONI - MOSOP is receiving reports of a serious crackdown on the Sogho community carried out over three days by the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force (RVISTF), a combined security and military force which has occupied the Ogoni region since 1993. Three raids were carried out in the early hours of the morning, beginning on August 5th.
Responding to the Sogho crackdown today, MOSOP's exiled Acting President Ledum Mitee commented: "It is difficult to imagine what message of `reconciliation' the military hope to send to half a million Ogoni people by beating a 73 year old man to death, breaking an 11 year old boy's leg, destroying and looting property, leaving 14 people injured and detaining and terrorising others". "This attack is clear evidence - if more evidence were needed - that the terror campaign against the Ogoni people that began in 1993 is not yet over. By choosing to leave the infrastructure of oppression in place in Ogoni since coming to power- despite the urgent pleas of MOSOP and the international community to address the Ogoni crisis - the current military administration has allowed this sad state of affairs to continue in Ogoni". "To reassure the Ogoni people of its commitment to reconciliation, not only should Ogoni be immediately demilitarised and all Ogoni political detainees - including the 5 detained in Sogho during the last week and 45 others - be released; all the perpetrators of this terror campaign waged by the RVISTF on the civilian population must be brought to book. The military must allow the Sogho community - and all other displaced Ogoni people - to return to their homes without fear of reprisals". "MOSOP calls on Nigerians, the international community and the United Nations Secretary General to urge General Abubakar to resolve the deepening crisis it has created in Ogoni". Diary of the August 1998 Sogho crack down August 5th 23:00 hours (Nigerian time) - RVISTF troops conducted a commando style raid on the community. During the attack, security forces fired rounds of ammunition into the air, looted villagers' property, and carried out beatings and torture of villagers. Many villagers escaped into the bush, where they remain fearing arrest or more attacks. Commercial premises attacked and looted include a provisions store, a medicine store and the bicycle and motor cycle spare parts store belonging to Mr. Michael Nkpagayee, Mr. Stephen Mueyii and Mr. Kanee Nwiidum. Private properties attacked and looted include the homes of Chief Kaananwii Gbene-ue, Mr. Ndeeyor Mmeenwii, Mrs. Mary Deesor and Deedam Nwiisa. Villagers arrested and detained at the RVISTF military camp in Bori include Mr. John Gbenekanu, Legbosi Saronee, Lu-ue Michah, Pius Nule and Deele Damgbara. August 6th 3:30 hours (Nigerian time) - RVISTF troops returned and carried out further looting and attacks on property, torturing and arresting more Sogho villagers. Mr. Michael Nkpagayee was beaten unconscious and later died. His wife, family and other members of the Sogho community took him to Bori General Hospital. He died on August 10th at approximately 01:45 hours (Nigerian time) from injuries sustained under torture by the RVISTF. He was 73. Amongst those tortured and injured in the August 6th raid are Mr. N-Obia Ataa, Nnam Beage, Nneedam Nkpagayee, Burilule Isreal, Deekai Nwiinee, Yerekara Sangbara and Saro Nwiisunday. Mrs. Cecilia Dike was severely tortured at the scene of the crackdown. Nyoonyoo Leyira - an 11 year old boy - had his right leg broken by RVISTF troops. August 7th 4:30 hours (Nigerian time) - during a third raid RVISTF troops again fired sporadically into the air. RVISTF troops threatened members of the Sogho village governing council with reprisals unless named individuals were handed over for arrest. Amongst those on the RVISTF arrest list were Mr. Ledornu W. Nyegere, Vincent Mueyii, Alube Nkeere, Gbenegbara Nwiidum, Nkpai Ikanee, Saro Yaabee, Nwiizim Dimpkpa, Saturday Kabari, Nu-ue Egerebu, Barizasi Deemua, Legbo Barile and Thompson Dike. Mr. Michael Nkpagayee is the third Ogoni to die at the hands of the RVISTF in 1998. Mrs. Beatrice Nwikpasi died on January 4th 1998 - Ogoni national day - on the road opposite Birabi Memorial Grammar School, when troops fired live ammunition in to a crowd of peaceful protesters. Her body was carried away to an unknown destination by RVISTF troops and has not been returned to the grieving family. Mr. Daniel Naador was arrested during the Ogoni Day 1998 security crack down. He sustained serious internal injuries under torture and died in detention on January 17th 1998, apparently from medical neglect. His body was released after N500 was extorted from his family. There have been over 2000 deaths in Ogoni since 1993, which MOSOP believes have formed part of an orchestrated terror campaign waged by the state. Approximately 30 000 have been forced to leave their homes and are internally displaced in Ogoni. Approximately 2000 have escaped to neighbouring states, or have been forced into exile as refugees. There are currently more than 50 Ogoni political detainees held at various locations by the RVISTF. A new Military Administrator of Rivers State was appointed on August 7th 1998. MOSOP has written directly to Group Captain Samuel Ewang, calling for the release of political prisoners and the immediate demilitarisation of Ogoni. MOSOP's demands MOSOP calls on the Nigerian authorities to: Unconditionally release all Ogoni political detainees - including the 5 detained between August 5th - 7th in connection with the Sogho crackdown, 25 held in detention at various locations in connection with the Jauary 4th 1998 Ogoni Day crackdown, and the 20 Ogoni held on the same politically motivated murder charges as the Ogoni 9 killed in November 1995 - and all other Nigerian political prisoners. MOSOP calls on Shell to: Make a public statement demanding the unconditional release of the Ogoni 20 and all other Ogoni and Nigerian political prisoners. MOSOP calls on Nigerians, the international community and supporters of the cause of human rights in Ogoni and Nigeria to: Demand that the Nigerian authorities unconditionally release all Ogoni and other Nigerian political prisoners. Demand that Shell make a public statement demanding the unconditional release of the Ogoni 20, and all other Ogoni and Nigerian political prisoners. Write to: General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council, And to diplomatic representatives of Nigeria accredited to your country. Cor Herkstroter, Send copies to: The Editor, The Guardian, PMB 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria Fax. (+234) (1) 521982/ 524481 The Editor, The Punch, PMB 21204, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria Tel./ fax. (+234) (1) 4920205 editorial@punch.com.ng The Editor, Vanguard, PMB 1007, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria vanguard@linkserve.com.ng The Editor, Daily Times, PMB 21340, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria Please send MOSOP copies of all replies you receive. (c) Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), 1998. Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), International
secretariat: Suite 5, 3 - 4 Albion Place, Galena Road, London W6 0LT, United Kingdom. "Lord take my soul, but the struggle continues" -- Ken Saro-Wiwa, the gallows, November 10th 1995. 'Ogoni is a land of half a million people in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Since 1958, oil companies such as Shell have exploited Ogoni's oil wealth, while the Ogoni people have suffered economic deprivation, the environmental devastation of our land and the discriminatory policies of successive Nigerian governments'. 'The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People demands economic justice, human rights - including the right to choose the use of our land and its resources - and to a future free of violence. MOSOP is the democratic voice of the Ogoni people'. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
