Date Published: 03/19/10

Extra judicial killings in Omoku

Dear Sir,

I write on behalf of the OGBA RIGHTS ACTION(ORA), the rights organisation of the Ogba people, in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, for which i am the current chairman.

I have just been informed that six (6) sons of Omoku in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government Area of Rivers State, were on the 10th and 11th of March 2010, mowed down by members of the Joint Task Force JTF and the Police, attached to Omoku. These killings jolt us to our very depths!

 We have also been told that the killings were as a result of the fact that the deceased blew the cover of the illegal bunkering activities of the JTF, (something unheared of in Omoku) because the deceased men threatened to report their activities to the authorities. We were also informed that the first two (2) boys (one aged 12 years) were traced to the Obakata playground in Omoku and shot dead, whereas the four (4) others were killed at the mortuary while mourning the the first dead, curiously in the presence of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police.

But what still surprises us is the presence of the JTF in Omoku in the first place.What is it still doing in Omoku, a peaceful community, when it has been withdrawn from such places like Okrika, Marine Base, Isiokpo, Elele etc. Is its withdrawal not part of the amnesty programme, or is this really confirming the fact that Omoku is not part of the amnesty? Is it now a crime for a community to be peaceful and calm?

Now as usual, the JTF and the Police, peeved and ashamed of the hue and cry trailing these murders have suddenly come up with a report that the men were killed by error while chasing armed robbers. This is a blatant lie!

However,whatever the reasons the JTF and the police might give in this case, the Ogba Rights Action (ORA), condemns the killings in strongest terms, and point out that the motive of the killings is for the government of the State and of the center, to destroy a very peaceful and enlightened people, the Ogba people, because they are envious of their resources and maturity.

It is on record that the Ogba communities for which Omoku is the capital, is the center of Nigeria`s crude oil and gas source and production. Crude oil and gas from this space, sustains the nation, but most especially, Rivers State. Does such position not call for respect from the rest?Instead, this lofty position has brought contamination, pollution and devastation of that environment and high death rates. Painfully, the Omoku communities do not enjoy any privileges from the Nigeria Agip Oil Company NAOC, the Rivers  State, or the Federal government. The amnesty programme did not benefit any Omoku person, even when the ORA made representations to the minister of defence and the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF). Then suddenly, there are killings of innocent and harmless civilians by an army and police that are supposed to defend them or stay in the barracks at the very least.

ORA lays much of this unfortunate incident at the door steps of NAOC the oil giant operating in the area. NAOC is the reason why the JTF is still in Omoku while it has been withdrawn in line with the amnesty programme from other communities in the Niger Delta.

But inspite of this obvious harrassment and neglect by all tiers of government and the NAOC, the Omoku communities did not carry arms against the Nigerian Nation, but opted to instead resolve this matter logically and peacefully. It is on record too that inspite of the volatile nature of the Niger Delta, and inspite of the fact that Omoku and the Ogba, Egbema ,Ndoni communities are the economic pillars of Rivers State and indeed the Nigeria Nation, this space remained calm during  the militant and turbulent times. This space too never destroyed oil facilities or did oil bunkering. A feat acknowledged internationally! This calmness, peacefuness and reasonableness are inherent in the good people of the Ogba communities, in addition to the good efforts of the Oba of Ogbaland, chiefs and elders of these communities,  and not because of the presence or activity of the police or the JTF.

Because of this, Ogba has strong enemies!

The army and the police too are more active and happy where crime or war thrive, and in peace times and peaceful places like Omoku, are redundant and unhappy. Having looked for opportunities to make money and failed, it is no wonder that the army with its collaborators should start one..

The Ogba Rights Action (ORA) therefore demand the following:

1. immediate investigation to these killings and

2. withdrawal of the JTF from Omoku and all parts of the Ogba/ Egbema /Ndoni lga in line with the amnesty programme.

If these fail, the Omoku communities and the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni lga may no longer guarantee this peace .

Signed

Onwusameka Ogbowuokara

Chairman(ORA)

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Contact

Onwusameka Ogbowuokara

Research Scientist

Department of Earth Sciences

University of Gothenburg

P,O. Box 460

SE-405 30

Gothenburg, Sweden.

Tel.460709493706

Email. onwusameka.ogbowuokara@yahoo. com