Group condemns rape of 14 women by soldiers in Rivers communities

Kelechi Kas

A congress of Ogoni people under the aegis of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), has condemned the gross human rights abuses which have characterised the current military operations in Ogoniland.

Soldiers were deployed to Ogoniland following growing insecurity in the region and killing of a soldier a week ago.

The group during its congress on Saturday, September 14, 2019, in Bera, Gokana local government area of Rivers State, condemned the activities of criminal gangs who have recently terrorised parts of Ogoniland.

The congress in a statement signed by Alex Akori, the acting Secretary of MOSOP, regretted that the military operations had been ruthless on civilians and seemingly assuming the character and strategy used by Major Paul Okuntimo against the Ogonis during the 1990s.

The congress condemned the sacking of communities and the resultant effects on innocent community dwellers, including older people, children and women who have particularly suffered severe violations in the hands of the military.

It also condemned the burning down of people’s homes and traditional worship centres as well as the extortion of business places, passersby and motorists plying the Ogoni area.

The congress also condemned the rape of 14 women in Gokana and other parts of Ogoniland by the Nigerian soldiers, and called on the military authorities to overhaul the operations, while noting that the destruction of traditional worship centres, rape and defilements as well as the torture and brutality of innocent community dwellers as well as passersby cannot amount to fighting crime.

The congress equally called on the Ogoni people to remain peaceful in the face of current repression. Congress also urged communities to take steps to end criminal activities within their domain.