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+------------------------------------------------------+
[ Redistributed on NATIVE-L / soc.culture.native with permission --Gary ]
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 44/11/93
Distr: UA/SC
UA 268/93 Extrajudicial executions 10 August 1993
NIGERIA: At least 35 members of the Ogoni ethnic group from
the town of Kaa in Rivers State, including Mr Nwiku and
three young children
Amnesty International is gravely concerned by reports that at least 35
people in Kaa town in Rivers State have been extrajudicially executed
by armed men, some of whom are believed to have been in navy and
police uniforms, on 4 August 1993. The victims, who are from the
Ogoni ethnic group, are believed to include at least three young
children and the husband of Maria Nwiku, who was herself injured in
the attack.
Local government officials maintain that the attack was part of an
ethnic clash between the Ogoni people and the neighbouring Adoni
people, from whose lands the attackers came. However, the removal of
all Ogoni policemen from the region three weeks prior to the attack
and the military's failure to restore order in Kaa strongly suggest that
the attack had the support of the military.
Amnesty International deplores the apparently deliberate extrajudicial
execution of members of the Ogoni ethnic group. It is calling on the
Nigerian government to halt these killings and to conduct an
immediate, thorough and impartial investigation to determine whether
the security forces were involved, and with a view to bringing all those
responsible for the killings to justice. Amnesty International also calls
on the Nigerian authorities to safeguard the security of all Ogoni
people, including those who have fled the area.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Ogoni community has been campaigning against the environmental
damage to their homeland in Rivers State and the destruction of their
land and crops caused by the extraction of petrochemicals by oil
companies, including Shell and the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC), for which they have received no compensation.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has
been active in defending the rights of the Ogoni community and in
raising awareness of their plight.
Ken Saro-Wiwa, spokesperson for MOSOP, was arrested on two
separate occasions in April 1993 and again on 21 June 1993 with N.G.
Dube and Kobari Nwile, both active members of MOSOP. All three
were charged on 13 July 1993 under the Criminal code of Eastern
Nigeria in connection with their activities on behalf of the Ogoni
community (see UA 238/93, AFR 44/07/93, 20 July 1993). Ken
Saro-Wiwa was released on bail because of a heart condition in the
week beginning 26 July 1993 and is believed to still be in hospital.
The other two are believed to still be in detention.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/express
and airmail letters either in English or in your own language:
- expressing grave concern at reports that at least 35 members of the
Ogoni ethnic group, including the above-mentioned individuals have
been extrajudicially executed by armed men, some of whom are
believed to have been in navy and police uniforms, on 4 August 1993;
- calling on the Nigerian authorities to halt these killings and to
conduct an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation, with a
view to bringing those responsible to justice;
- calling on the Nigerian authorities to ensure that the safety of all
members of the Ogoni ethnic group is guaranteed.
APPEALS TO:
General Ibrahim Babangida [Salutation: Dear President]
President and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council
State House
Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria
Telegrams: President Babangida, Abuja, Nigeria
Telexes: [0905] 91529 or
91530 EXTNAL NG (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
General Sani ABACHA [Salutation: Dear General Abacha]
Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence
Defence Headquarters
Ministry of Defence
Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria
Telegrams: General Abacha, Ministry of Defence, Abuja, Nigeria
Mr Rufus Ada George [Salutation: Dear Governor]
State Governor
Government House
91000 Port Harcourt
Rivers State, Nigeria
Telegrams: State Governor Rufus Ada George, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Alhaji Aliyu I. ATTAH [Salutation: Dear Inspector-General]
Inspector-General of Police
Ministry of Police Affairs
Defence Headquarters
Moloney Street, Lagos, Nigeria
Telegrams: Inspector-General Attah, Ministry of Police Affairs, Lagos,
Nigeria
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency
Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, K.B.E., High Commission of Nigeria, Nigeria
House, 9 Northumberland Ave, London WC2 5BX. Fax: 071 839 8746
[Please see the responses to this topic for the addresses
of diplomatic representatives in other countries]
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
newspapers:
Nigerian Star
PMB 73, 97 Aggrey Road
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Nigeria
Daily Times
PMB 21340, Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria
National Concord
POB 4483, Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria
The Guardian
PMB 1217, Oshodi
Lagos, Nigeria
Newswatch
PMB 21499, Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send
appeals after 21 September 1993.
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
+ the UA scheme in general, please contact: +
+ Ray Mitchell +
+ Amnesty International British Section +
+ 99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue +
+ London EC1R 4RE email: gn:rmitchellai +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+