Violence in Ogoni, a plot to stall clean up, says MOSOP

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) yesterday blamed the recent spate of killings in Ogoni on a plot to frustrate the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) scheduled to begin in June 2016.

President of MOSOP, Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, alleged in Port Harcourt yesterday that intelligence reports available to MOSOP reveal that some external interests uncomfortable that the environmental rejuvenation project would start in Ogoni have infiltrated and manipulated those that have disappointedly mortgaged their conscience to create an atmosphere that would convince the Federal Government that Ogoni is unsafe and thus postpone the take off of the exercise.

MOSOP, while condemning the unabated killings in Ogoni, noted that between March and yesterday, Ogoni has recorded several needless killing of innocent citizens including Mr. Lekie Giagbara, a chartered accountant, Dr. Vincent Eebe, lecturer and an outstanding linguist; Messrs. Dan Gbesi, Charles Atukor, John Igbara and Barineka Itaagha by unknown assailants.

Pyagbara called on the security outfits to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the culprits with a view to bringing them to account for the heinous crime. He stated that no matter what may be adduced as the reason for the murders, no man or woman has any right to deprive anybody of his/her inalienable right to life.

According to the MOSOP chief it is undeniable that the killing of victims violated their right, which is protected by Nigerian laws and international instruments.

MOSOP accused some callous people of attempting to undermine peace, generate fear in the area and send wrong signals to government and the general public in an attempt, to frustrate the implementation of the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni aimed at the environmental remediation and restoration of the area.

“However, the fact remains that it is Ogoni that suffers these negativities and the early we realise this, the better for our national interest. It is a shame that up till now some people have been unable to come to terms with our disadvantaged circumstances largely inflicted on us. And rather than work with the rest of our people in the effort to redeem Ogoni, they have sustained a retarding movement to the Egypt of subservience and bloodletting. Let it be known that societies that have stayed this way have never survived,” he said.

MOSOP said the continuous spilling of innocent blood in Ogoni is worrisome and absolutely unacceptable, condemnable and security agents must bring the perpetrators and the masterminds to book immediately.