Niger Delta Solidarity Group

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

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.

Nnimmo Bassey testifies before US Senate

The Director of Environmental Rights Action (Friends of the Earth Ngieria) Nnimmo Bassey testifies before the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law....

The Oil Industry and Human Rights in the Niger Delta

Overview

This submission describes the deleterious human and environmental  impacts of the operations of multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta in Nigeria. It provides information about the population of the Niger Delta and the harmful effects of the oil industry on the region’s delicate environment. Oil companies, including Chevron and Shell, have repeatedly used the Nigerian military to violently repress Delta inhabitants’ peaceful protests, causing deaths and injuries, and creating an environment in which
ordinary citizens are unable to exercise their rights to free expression. Finally,
recommendations are presented for improvements in corporate practice by extractive industry companies, as well as suggestions for further inquiries by the Subcommittee. 

Background

The Geographical, Economic, and Cultural Context The Niger Delta region is a coastal plain covering approximately 70,000 km2 in southeastern Nigeria. Over 12 million people live in the states of the Niger Delta; a large  percentage of the inhabitants come from diverse minority ethnic groups like the Ijaw,
Ilaje, Urhobo, Ibibio and Itsekiri, who have been marginalized historically in Nigerian political and economic life. Farming and fishing are key livelihood activities for the region’s inhabitants.  Continue reading

Sokari Ekine

Niger Delta activist berates ACF chairman

By Emerson Gobert JR.

The recent comments by Maj. Gen Ibrahim Haruna (retd.) chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that most people from the Niger Delta region are not industrious and that they have stumbled on oil wealth have attracted condemnation from some quarters in the region. In an interview with Daily Sun, spokesperson for the United Niger Delta Energy Development and Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), a coalition of different ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, Annkio Briggs described Haruna’s statement as most unfair and portraying the insensitivity of the people that are not affected by what is happening in the Niger Delta.

She wondered what the North is industrious about even as she also asked how many industries Gen. Haruna has set up for Northerners. “What is it that the North is industrious about?” Is owning oil wells and things in the Niger Delta industry? It shows the insincerity of the people that are not affected by what is happening in the Niger Delta. It is most unfair the way people react to the reaction of the Niger Delta people” she thundered.

Briggs also spoke on the newly formed technical committee on the Niger Delta, declaring that she does not believe in it. “We already have reports and we know what the people want. They want development and not committee,” she submitted.

MEND declares ceasefire in Niger Delta

From Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt),
Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) and
Seye Olumide (Lagos)
AFTER one week of sustained attacks on oil facilities in Rivers State, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has announced a ceasefire following intervention by some Ijaw leaders in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) whose attack on MEND bases and seven Tombia communities penultimate Saturday triggered militant attacks and the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) have welcomed the development.
MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday announced that the militants who had attacked over six oil and gas facilities belonging to mainly Shell Petroleum Development Company and Chevron since September 13 have decided to downgrade the oil war code-named 'Hurricane Barbarossa' to a state of alert code-named "Tropical Storm Vigilant."