Leadership (Abuja)
Osa Okhomina
14 September 2009
Yenagoa — Civil rights activists in the Niger Delta region yesterday sent a Save-Our-Soul message to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and the National Assembly over rising tension in Malabo, the capital city of the central African country, Equatorial Guinea, over alleged cases of human rights abuse, inhuman deportation and killing of a Nigerian, Akeem Jimoh, by three policemen over his refusal to allow a forceful take-over of his business.
The activists, under a group known as Civil Rights and Human Dignity (CRHD), based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, also alleged that a shipment of 400 immigrants illegally arrested by the officials of Equitorial Guinea have been sent to Nigeria through the Calabar Port without the knowledge of immigration and foreign office in Malabo.
In a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, the CRHD through its Secretary, Comrade John Ovihie, said though the leadership of the Nigerian community and the country's consul were trying to avert a showdown between Nigerians and their host nation over the rising cases of vilent attacks and arrest of visitors, the President should order an immediate investigation and avert a bloodshed.
Ovihie gave a graphic detail of the deteriorating situation between officials of Equitorial Guinea and the Nigerian community, describing the situation as ugly and poor for the image of the nation.
He said: "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."
The group alleged that the death of Akeem Jimoh on Monday, following a scuffle with three Guinean policemen, has created a security situation that may deteriorate into violent attacks. The Nigerian community has written to their hosts 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. "The National Assembly and the President should intervene to avoid another genocide like in Libya," CRHD said.
LEADERSHIP, however, contacted some Nigerians resident in Malabo and spoke with the Secretary of the Nigerian community, Mr. Mutairu Mebiju, who confirmed that there was rising tension in Malabo but declined further comment. Another Nigerian, Soji Ajobiale, alleged that incidence of killings, including the murder of Mrs. Effiong Mark-Etim and Jeff Olubola in Febuary this year, may have been the last straw. "We are ready to fight our way if the Federal Government fails to assist us," Ovihie said.
"If you visit the Calabar Port now, you will see a ship known as Asouka. It was chartered by the Equitorial Guinea officials to ship out Nigerians, Malians and other citizens of African countries out. This is a clamp-down and a violation of our rights as members of the African Union."
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Concerning the problem of people moving from their place to another and the way some of them has been treated. Let the African people rise up as it was in the time of our former colonial master, people of africa must deliever themselves from our own colonial master which I call the task master who hide under tribal and religious and politics using their position to kills, to destroy and to steal our continent wealth to their pockets.Let us kick them out of power and let us go back to root of honour and dignity. These people are groups of crooks changing themselves in power and also transfer the power to their children, examples of Togo President, RDC, Dr, Olusola Saraki of Kwara State of Nigeria, Obasanjo, Yaradua and those wicked wealthy of Nigeria who are using the evil forces to control the destiny of their towns and villages people to steal their future for their own families and their ofspring. God is not sleeping thier time of punishment is coming. Tayo.
Concerning the problem of people moving from their place to another and the way some of them has been treated. Let the African people rise up as it was in the time of our former colonial master, people of africa must deliever themselves from our own colonial master which I call the task master who hide under tribal and religious and politics using their position to kille, to destroy and to steal our continent wealth to their pockets.Let us kick them out of power and let us go back to root of honour and dignity. Tayo.