Nigeria, May 12, 2016 – Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), has condemned in strong terms, the continued killing of residents by unknown assailants and warned the perpetrators to stop forthwith. It also called on the security outfits to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the culprits and bring them to book.
In a statement, signed by its Media/Public Affairs Advisor, Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, MOSOP said between March and today, Ogoni has recorded several needless killing of innocent citizens including Mr. Lekie Giagbara, a chartered accountant, Dr. Vincent Eebe, lecturer and an outstanding linguist; Messrs. Dan Gbesi, Charles Atukor, John Igbara and Barineka Itaagha.
Reacting to the development, President of MOSOP, Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara said that continuous spilling of innocent blood in Ogoni is not only worrisome but absolutely unacceptable and condemnable adding that the perpetrators and the masterminds must be brought to book immediately.
“No matter what may be adduced as the reason for the murders, no man or woman has any right to deprive anybody of his/her inalienable right to life. It is undeniable that the killing of victims violated this right, which is protected by our laws and international instruments.”
“It is regrettably unfortunate that some callous people are attempting to undermine peace, generate fear in the area and send wrong signals to government and the general public. This is an attempt, we aware, to frustrate the implementation of the Ogoni environmental remediation and restoration exercise, which launch has been scheduled for 2 June, 2016”, he said.
According to him, reports available to MOSOP reveal that some external interests uncomfortable that the environmental rejuvenation project would start in Ogoni have infiltrated and manipulated those that have disappointedly mortgaged their conscience to cause trouble in the region to create an unconducive atmosphere that would convince government that Ogoni is unsafe and thus postpone the take-off of the exercise.
“However, the fact remains that it is Ogoni that suffers these negativities and the early we realise this, the better for our national interest. It is a shame that up till now some people have been unable to come to terms with our disadvantaged circumstances largely inflicted on us. And rather than work with the rest of our people in the effort to redeem Ogoni, they have sustained a retarding movement to the Egypt of subservience and blood-letting. Let it be known that societies that have stayed this way have never survived.
“Without prejudice, the deteriorating state of things in Ogoni especially the killings is a depressing function of deepening security lapses in the state. We call on security agents to act proactively and increase intelligence gathering and surveillance in the area, which have largely remained reactive”, he said.
He called on the security agents to wake up from there slumber and do the needful.
“We are also calling on all those involved in the killings, violence and dastardly acts to have a rethink and give peace a chance. We are as well calling on all Ogonis to come together and work concertedly to salvage the Ogoni situation”, he said, adding that MOSOP has begun consultation across Ogoniland with a view to ensuring an enduring resolution of the shameful and despicable development.
