Human rights violation has been a major challenge in Nigeria over the years. Since independence in 1960, the country has experienced both military and civilian regimes which have been accused of human rights violation. The failure of these regimes to ensure respect for human rights has contributed to several cases of violent conflicts in different parts of Nigeria. The situation in the Niger Delta area is not different.
The Niger Delta is basically the area in which petroleum production takes place in Nigeria. The Federal Government of Nigerian government through various multinational oil corporations has earned billions of dollars from the oil extracted from the Niger Delta. The people of the Niger Delta however complain that they have not …show more content…
In spite of the inauguration of a panel (Oputa Panel) to investigate cases of human rights violation in Nigeria by the newly elected civilian government in 1999, the problem persisted. Between 1999 and 2007 several cases of gross human rights violation were recorded. As an antithesis to the inauguration of the Oputa Panel president Obasanjo on November 20, 1999 took a decision which became one of the worst cases of human rights violation in Nigeria. The government in an attempt to track down some youths who were earlier in November 1999 suspected to have abducted and murdered twelve policemen, declared a state of emergency on Odi community. This was done before the expiration of a 14- day ultimatum given by the federal government. On November 20, thousands of combined military personnel attacked the community using sophisticated weapons such as grenade launchers (Onyegbula, 2001). The military invasion of Odi community resulted in the death of many people including animals and aquatic creatures. Properties were plundered and virtually all the infrastructure in the community were either destroyed or set on fire. Many citizens of Odi who were fortunate to be alive were taken to military barracks in Elele in Port Harcourt and Warri as prisoners of war (Ikeji, 2007). Odi community was ruins by the time the soldiers were eventually evacuated and …show more content…
The administration of Yar’ Adua was also characterized by gross human rights violation in the Niger Delta. Notable among cases of human rights violation during this regime was the invasion of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State. In May 2009, the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom were caught in a fight between government security forces called the Joint Task Force (JTF) and armed groups. Thousands of people fled their communities and were unable to return to their homes (Amnesty International, 2009). The JTF offensive began on 13 May after the JTF was reported to have been attacked by armed groups in Delta State. The JTF conducted land and air strikes in areas where the Federal Government of Nigeria feels armed militant groups were occupying. Such areas include Warri South and Warri South-West local government areas. Hundreds of people were killed in communities such as Oporoza, Okerenkoko, and Gbaramatu by the JTF using sophisticated weapons and helicopters (Amnesty International,
The Niger Delta is basically the area in which petroleum production takes place in Nigeria. The Federal Government of Nigerian government through various multinational oil corporations has earned billions of dollars from the oil extracted from the Niger Delta. The people of the Niger Delta however complain that they have not …show more content…
In spite of the inauguration of a panel (Oputa Panel) to investigate cases of human rights violation in Nigeria by the newly elected civilian government in 1999, the problem persisted. Between 1999 and 2007 several cases of gross human rights violation were recorded. As an antithesis to the inauguration of the Oputa Panel president Obasanjo on November 20, 1999 took a decision which became one of the worst cases of human rights violation in Nigeria. The government in an attempt to track down some youths who were earlier in November 1999 suspected to have abducted and murdered twelve policemen, declared a state of emergency on Odi community. This was done before the expiration of a 14- day ultimatum given by the federal government. On November 20, thousands of combined military personnel attacked the community using sophisticated weapons such as grenade launchers (Onyegbula, 2001). The military invasion of Odi community resulted in the death of many people including animals and aquatic creatures. Properties were plundered and virtually all the infrastructure in the community were either destroyed or set on fire. Many citizens of Odi who were fortunate to be alive were taken to military barracks in Elele in Port Harcourt and Warri as prisoners of war (Ikeji, 2007). Odi community was ruins by the time the soldiers were eventually evacuated and …show more content…
The administration of Yar’ Adua was also characterized by gross human rights violation in the Niger Delta. Notable among cases of human rights violation during this regime was the invasion of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State. In May 2009, the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom were caught in a fight between government security forces called the Joint Task Force (JTF) and armed groups. Thousands of people fled their communities and were unable to return to their homes (Amnesty International, 2009). The JTF offensive began on 13 May after the JTF was reported to have been attacked by armed groups in Delta State. The JTF conducted land and air strikes in areas where the Federal Government of Nigeria feels armed militant groups were occupying. Such areas include Warri South and Warri South-West local government areas. Hundreds of people were killed in communities such as Oporoza, Okerenkoko, and Gbaramatu by the JTF using sophisticated weapons and helicopters (Amnesty International,