Tag Archives: Ogoni land

Human Rights Group Absolves Military Of Killing Innocent Nigerians In Ogoni

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A human rights group, Citizen Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), has absolved the Nigerian military of killing of innocent citizens in Ogoniland, Rivers, on February 22.

 

The Executive Director of the group¸ Mr Frank Tietie, who made the group’s position known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, described the accusations as false.

 

Tietie stated that he discovered the truth after a fact-finding mission to Gokana, Yeghe, and Obori communities in Ogoni, Rivers, where the killing was said to have occurred.

 

“We have called this press conference to denounce certain notions that are inimical to national interest. What are those notions?

“The notion that the Nigerian military causes problem, kills and maims innocent Nigerians, which is so untrue.

“We needed to take the Rivers State re-run elections as a case study, and on that note, I personally went to those flashpoints particularly places like Gokana, Yeghe and Obori.

“We found out that what happened on Feb. 22 in an Ogoni community called Yeghe was actually an encounter between certain cultists, who were followers of one Solomon Ndigbara, who actually engaged the army in a shootout.

“My findings from the citizens, including the video evidence and other records that I made, showed that there were only three persons that they could prove to have died in the course of that encounter, whereas the military is said to have killed over 45 persons.

“Nothing could be more untrue. We must be very careful.

“If the only institution we rely on to guarantee human security in Nigeria would now be used as a scapegoat by political and cult elements, particularly in the case of Rivers State, where even human rights group like the Civil Liberty Organisation can make spurious statements just because they belong or are persuaded by one political divide or the other, we would be working against the national interest and it will demoralise the army.’’

Tietie noted that the military, by its operations through the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army had been the saving grace of the citizens in Rivers State.

According to him, the carnage planned by the political and cult groups in the state would have been unimaginable if not for the intervention of the force.

He corroborated the army’s claims that the violence in Rivers was an offshoot of the clashes between cult elements being used by politicians to pursue their selfish ambitions.

The executive director stated that CASER has decided to make the truth known to the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, which has launched a probe into the matter.

He added that CASER will urge the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute “all those, who have denigrated the Nigerian Army’’ through false allegations.

“The unwholesome, unsubstantiated and unfounded allegations made by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) against the Nigerian Army should be investigated.

“The CLO should also be prosecuted for claiming in a petition that the Nigerian Army committed “genocide” in Yeghe on Feb. 22, whereas, such an allegation, by CASER finding, is most unfounded.’’

 

 

(NAN)

FG Restates Commitment To Total Clean-up Of Ogoni Land

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The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving cases of environmental degradation in Niger Delta.

The government plans to implement a strategy that involves empowering the people while protecting the environment.

Addressing a stakeholders meeting in Bori area in Rivers State on the United Nations’ Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on the clean-up of Ogoni land, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, said that implementing the UN report remains a top priority of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, had tabled the problems of the people at the meeting with the Minister.

Having met with the people of Ogoni, the Minister proceeded to Yenogoa with the same message of a total clean-up of the area. There, the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, lamented over the plights of the people suffering the effects of oil pollution.

Mrs Mohammed said that the Ministry was working on a mechanism that would help it address the problem of pollution in the Niger Delta overall.

The Minister had said at an earlier meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, “This is a protracted issue; an issue that we are now concerned that the pollution is beyond the oil companies. It is one we have to try to understand.

“What are the alternatives for young people and those that are in the community who have been part of these third party breaks?

“We have to put in place something that gives them a future and hope.”

Credit: ChannelsTv

Netherlands Pledges To Support Nigeria In Ogoni Clean-Up

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The Netherlands’ government to Nigeria on Monday expressed its readiness to support Nigeria in the
implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Report for the clean-up of Ogoniland in Rivers.

 

The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. John Groffen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that his government was willing to support the implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s top priorities.

 

“We are closely following the implementation of the top priorities of President Buhari in increasing security, enhancing the economy and fighting corruption.

 

“In particular, the Netherlands will gladly partner with the administration in the implementation of the UNEP-report on the clean-up of Ogoniland,’’ he said.

 

Groffen also disclosed his government’s plan to support the Federal Government’s effort at addressing the situation in the Niger-Delta, as well as the reconstruction and development effort in the North-East.

 

The envoy said that consultation was already ongoing with the Nigerian government in possible areas Dutch government could offer more support.

 

Groffen also said that Dutch enterprises were waiting to see Nigeria’s new transportation, infrastructure and other sectors’ policies to enable them to increase their investment in the country.

 

“We are looking forward to hearing about government policy plans in the fields of transportation, infrastructure and other sectors. This will give Dutch enterprises a better idea of where their specific know-how, experience and technologies can be best used in Nigeria,’’ he said.

 

(NAN)