Police operatives, allegedly acting on the orders of Khana Local Government Chairman, Thomas Bariere, on Saturday, September 27, disrupted a peaceful demonstration against the planned resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni, Rivers State.
The protest, which was organized by coalition of civil rights activists drew over 4,000 participants, to express opposition to the Federal Government’s move to restart oil production in the area.
The demonstrators insisted that resumption must not proceed without addressing key concerns of the Ogoni people, including the long-delayed Ogoni cleanup, environmental justice, transparency in the process, and respect for the community’s rights to self-determination.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the police moved in forcefully, dispersing the crowd and chasing protesters away from the venue.
Reacting to the incident, the President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Fegalo Nsuke, condemned the police action, describing it as an attack on free speech and the fundamental rights of the people.
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“The people should be free to express their discontent. That is the very essence of a democratic system. To stop a peaceful protest in such a manner is unacceptable.
“MOSOP has been very clear and we insist that the process so far has been driving to achieve oil resumption in Ogoni without paying concern of the people. Ogoni people have not gather anywhere to mandate anyone to present a report on their behalf.
“What is happening so far is manipulative and misrepresentation. We want proper dialogue that is transparent and all inclusive.”
The development has heightened tensions in Ogoni communities, where residents fear that oil resumption without due process could further worsen the decades-long environmental degradation caused by oil spills and pollution.
