Daily Independent (Lagos)
Emma Gbemudu
14 September 2009
Yenagoa — The alleged inhuman manner in which over 400 Nigerians were deported and the killing of one Akeem Jimoh by authorities in Equatorial Guinea have compelled a Yenagoa, Bayelsa State-based group, Civil Rights and Human Dignity (CRHD), to petition President Umaru Yar'Adua and the National Assembly.
The group expressed grave concern over the abuses to which innocent Nigerians resident in Malabo, capital of that country, are being subjected.
In a Save-Our-Soul message by the group, it alleged that Jimoh was killed by three policemen in Malabo over his refusal to allow a forceful hijack of his business.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Yenagoa by the group's Secretary, John Ovihie, it alleged the shipment of 400 immigrants illegally arrested by officials of Equitorial Guinea and conveyed to Nigeria through the Calabar port without the knowledge of the immigration and foreign office in Malabo.
Ovihie said the situation is brewing tension in Malabo, but the leadership of the Nigerian community and the country's consul are making efforts to avert a showdown between Nigerians and their host nation over cases of violent attacks and arrest of foreigners.
Consequently, the group urged the president to constitute a committee to investigate the matter to avert blood shed in the Portuguese country.
"The situation is horrible in Malabo. Many Nigerians are being killed and locked up in cells to die. There is a 15-year-old Nigerian girl in their custody and she may die if care is not taken," Ovihie lamented.
"The death of one Akeem Jimoh last Monday, following his scuffle with three Guinean policemen has created a security situation that may deteriorate into violent attack. The Nigerian community has written to their host nation with demand for a proper burial and compensation to the family of the deceased. They have also called for investigation and arrest of the policemen involved in the act. The National Assembly and the President should intervene to avoid another genocide like what happened in Libya," he added.
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