Niger Delta Solidarity Group

Photos from London Protest

On Monday 1st June members and friends of the Niger Delta gathered outside 10 Downing Street and later the Nigerian High Commission to protest against the continued military attacks by the Nigerian Federal Government.

To View more photos see here

Posted by Sokari Ekine

LAMENTATIONS FROM GBARAMATU BOMBINGS

Gbaramatu Report - Report by Enviornmental Rights Action on the Bombings

“They bombed everywhere and everything. They don't have feelings at all. I was lucky to have my
children and husband alive. My neighbour lost his pregnant wife in the incidence. She was my friend too.” - Evelyn Emmanuel On May 14, 2009 at about noon, Gbaramatu Kingdom,Delta State, was in a festive mood. There had been an influx of guests into the community from far and near. They all came to witness the presentation of the Staff of Office to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Ogie the third. The palace located in Oporoza was filled with well- wishers as the day also marked the King's one year anniversary. Suddenly, three low flying helicopters were seen approaching the Kindgom. The community people initially thought they were flying dignitaries to the ceremony or that they were part of the glamour for the ceremony. They were wrong. Dead wrong!

The three choppers were actually gunships of the Joint  Military Task Force, on a mission to mow down the Gbaramatu Kingdom. Suddenly the gunships started bombing everywhere, the King's palace inclusive. The JTF, ostensibly on a mission of searching  for militants and rescuing hostages, embarked on massive military assault on Gbaramatu Kingdom made up of 163 communities, villages and hamlets. The military deployed its most sophisticated weaponry against the hapless residents of the community

Sokari Ekine

Chevron violence in the ND and "Continuity We Can Believe In."

Even as the jury was sitting in the Bowoto v Chevron trial - Chevron Nigeria was attacking villagers in Aruntan-Ugborodo in Itsekiriland.

Some time last week (Thursday 20th, November 2008) community people comprising about 15-20 women, 8 children and 25 youths embarked on a peaceful protest to CNL Tank Farm - a stone’s throw from our homes. We were demanding “common job” slot for our youths, awarding of contract to deserving indigents and for the protection of our shore lines from coastal erosion that is encroaching into our homes. We dressed in white singlet (T-shirts) and carried placards. No guns, No machete and no form of weapons of mass destructions were on us. We were shocked to see the JTF officers guarding the CNL Tank farm releasing gunshot sporadically on us in the boat and into the community. We took cover for our dear lives. Several of our youths had gunshot wounds and 2 others in their home received serious wounds from the stray shots. (They are currently being treated in Warri by community effort).

The decision to acquit Chevron of any responsibility in the deaths and injuries to people in Nigeria and destruction of their lands is callous and selfish. The decision tells me the only interest of the jury and the communities they represent is to get oil by any means necessary which includes murder. Meanwhile Obama has appointed another corporate defender against indigenous peoples, Chevron director, Marine Gen. James Jones, to his cabinet following in the footsteps of another famous Chevron direction and member of Bush's government Ms Condoleezza Rice.

But what of a Chevron director high up in the West Wing? Obama’s attacks on John McCain during the campaign included a daily refrain about the massive profits of ExxonMobil, as if that was the only oil company out there. Chevron, too, has posted mammoth profits. Chevron was also a defendant in a federal court case in San Francisco related to the murder, 10 years ago, of two unarmed, peaceful activists in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. On May 28, 1998, three Chevron helicopters ferried Nigerian military and police to the remote section of the Delta known as Ilajeland, where protesters had occupied a Chevron offshore drilling platform to protest Chevron’s role in the destruction of the local environment. The troops opened fired on the protesters. Two were killed, others were injured. (Rice was in charge of the Chevron board’s public policy committee when it fought off shareholder resolutions demanding that Chevron improve its human rights and environmental record in Nigeria.)

Links : Bowoto v Chevron Blog, Niger Delta

Posted by Sokari

High Cost Of A Deadly 'Oil War'

35 People Killed, Scores Missing
7 Villages Attacked, 77 Houses Burnt
Millions Worth Of Property Destroyed
JTF Video Shows Soldiers Setting Buildings Ablaze

From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) onslaught on some Tombia communities in Rivers State might have been aimed at sending a strong signal to militants in the state. But the operation has, however, left in its wake wanton destruction: shedding of blood, shattering of lives, wrecking of homes and creating a deluge of refugees.

In the stillness of the morning of Saturday, September 13, 2007, there was nothing ominous to suggest to the residents of Elem-Tombia, Ogboma, Elem-Bekinkiri, Oloko, Iyalla-Ama, Alapuminjibiri and Mbiakafimimo, whose major occupations are fishing and logging that destruction was lurking in the corner.

But abruptly, at precisely 9am, according to the paramount ruler of Elem-Tombia, Chief Sagbe Tombotamunoaa, a barrage of bombs and rocket-propelled grenades and the booming of general-purpose machine guns from two helicopter gunships pierced the quietness of the mangrove-surrounded community.

Technical committee assures Niger Deltans

Written by Jimitota Onoyume

Friday, 03 October 2008

THE newly constituted Niger Delta technical committee has assured that its recommendations at the end of its exercise would certainly be a credible road map to enduring peace in the region.

Member of the committee and foremost Ijaw activist, Dr. Youpele Banigo, told Vanguard in a chat, yesterday in Port Harcourt , that the committee was already working round the clock to ensure it delivers on its responsibilities.

According to him, among other things, the committee when it resumes on Monday would begin critical and comprehensive examination of numerous recommendations on the region with a view to producing a robust, “infallible single body of document to government.