The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has expressed concern over the deployment of soldiers to the Niger Delta, which includes Ogoniland, suggesting that effective policing, which it said the government had failed to do, was a more effective remedy to the security situation in the entire region.

In a statement issued on Friday in Port Harcourt and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, MOSOP noted that “military operations of this kind simply refreshes our memory of the years of state repression under Major Paul Okuntimo of the Nigerian Army, an experience we wish never to be reminded of.

“MOSOP is disturbed that with the poor state of health prevalent in Ogoni following years of living with Shell's environmental pollution, military operations that send fierce reminders of our painful experiences with the Nigerian soldiers will only result in deteriorating health conditions of our people and eventual/sudden death.”

The Movement further recalled that, “in February 2016 when military raids on some Ogoni communities only resulted in over 35 deaths including a pregnant mother, Mrs. Ledee.

“Our experience with the Nigerian Army had unfortunately been very sorrowful and pathetic with each leaving us in pain and human losses. The only memory we have of the Nigerian Army is about the repression, deaths, pains and torture they leave with us.

“MOSOP therefore completely rejects the deployment of the military in Ogoni and maintains. It is therefore pertinent to call on the authorities of the Nigerian Army not to throw Ogoniland into another round of morning and sorrow with its planned military operations.”

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