Nigerian environmentalists arrested

Nigerian environmentalists arrested

Those who think there is now freedom in Nigeria should rethink. The crackdown against environment and indigenous rights activists is continuing, says Environmental Rights Action (ERA).

Three environment activists — Sagbama Owei Okpo from Bayelsa state, Akpobarelo Didiya from Bayelsa state and Sea Mum Kuku from Ondo state — have been in police detention since March 20.

The three were arrested by a 60-man team from the notorious Nigerian Military Police at Odi Junction in the Korokuma-Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State. Their offence? Possessing copies of Ogele, the newsletter of the Ijaw Youth Council.

The three were severely tortured and are being held in solitary confinement in the cells of the State Investigation and Interrogation Bureau at Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. They are being denied access to family, friends and medical assistance, and their health is deteriorating.

ERA demands: the immediate release of these young activists; payment of compensation for the denial of their rights and the brutality visited on them; and a cessation of intimidation and high-handedness on the part of "law enforcement" agents — Nigerians have a right of association and unhindered access to information of their choice.

For more information and to find out how you can help, contact ERA/Friends of the Earth (FoE, Nigeria) by phone/fax at 234 52 600 165 or e-mail at <eraction@infoweb.abs.net>.

From GLW issue 355