The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on the Nigerian military authorities particularly the Nigerian Army to exercise restraint in the handling of the crisis involving some bandits and securitymen in Ogoniland.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Deacon Monday Neeka Ziinu, MOSOP said it is deeply concerned about the lives and properties of innocent community dwellers especially residents of affected communities including Gio and Kira in Tai local government area and K-Dere and B-Dere in Gokana local government areas of Rivers State and other adjourning communities affected by the Army operation which is in retaliation for the death of a soldier who was allegedly killed by a pipeline vandal in Tai local government area.
The group said while “we strongly condemn the action of pipeline vandals and the effects of their actions on the environment, we feel that the army cannot criminalize entire communities for the crimes of a few which they have aided”.
The statement said: “MOSOP is appalled by the unrestricted military action as we maintain that the action of pipeline vandals could not have been conducted so profoundly without the cooperation of securitymen in Ogoniland. We regret that our earlier warnings were neglected leading to a deteriorating situation.
“It is indeed disappointing that the government through HYPREP have recently encouraged these illegal activities by turning a blind eye despite the full knowledge of those involved in these illicit business.
“The seemingly unrestricted flow of weapons into all parts of the country also clearly indicates the failures on the part of those who manage our security system and their capacity to protect Nigerian citizens.
“MOSOP therefore calls for an overhaul of the security operations in the Ogoni area to focus on crime detection and prevention rather than waiting until things get out of hand and then unleashing violence against the innocent citizens and residents whose living conditions are already very pathetic”.
MOSOP said the military should halt its reprisal operation in Ogoniland saying that the group is aware that criminals sought are not the same persons suffering the brutality of soldiers and “so consider the military crackdown as misplaced and therefore should be halted”.
The statement said: “While we sympathize with the families of the soldier and other security personnel who reportedly lost their lives, we urge the military to realize that their ultimate responsibility is to protect lives and properties. We call for a commission of inquiry into pipeline vandalism and illegal oil refining in Ogoni to unravel the deep connivance between the security operatives and criminal gangs. We are convinced that an investigation will unravel and justify the reasons why illegal oil refining has flourished in the Niger Delta despite efforts to halt the illicit business”.
MOSOP appealed to “the authorities” to enhance Police effectiveness in Ogoniland to prevent incidences of criminality saying that it can be achieved by establishing more police stations and police stop-and-check points throughout Ogoniland.
