The attack reportedly occurred on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
Human rights organisation, Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned reports of invasion and indiscriminate attacks by the Nigerian military on Bodo community in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State
The attack reportedly occurred on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, decried the invasion and attack on the community. It called on the Nigerian military authorities to stop the attack on civilians forthwith and prosecute the personnel involved.
It lamented the increasing involvement of the military in civil matters in Nigeria which it said has worsened human rights violations in the country.
AI said, “The military’s invasion of Bodo community is a clear violation of Nigeria’s obligation under international human rights law, and international conventions to which it has subscribed.
"All those involved in this violation must be held accountable and the invasion must end immediately.”
Ojigho stated that the new paramount regent of Bodo community, Joseph Kpai, told Amnesty International Nigeria that “the army, police and navy invaded the Bodo community. The claim they are making against us is that we have guns. On Wednesday 7 December 2022, the police, navy, and Army came in the morning and shot sporadically, and because of that, about four persons are lying critically ill and some people were also arrested, and we do not know their whereabouts.”
“On 7 December attack, the following people were arrested: Michael Zabbey (dumb), Peter Kogbara, Vikere Joseph, Miriam Paago, Victor Filima (a minor) and Nekabari Gbarato. Their whereabouts are still unknown. And the threat is that they are going to come back again. As a community, we do not know what to do,” he said.
The statement added, "Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that on the day of the attack, some were shot in the stomach and some in the legs.
"The Bodo community alleged that this is not the first time that a combined team of the police, navy, and army is invading the community. In the November invasion, the military came at night and some people were allegedly abducted. Those abducted include Pius Menega, Clement Vulasi, Lekie Naaduuna, Lucky Visa, James Ntete, Paul Zabbey, and two others.”
The statement further noted, "According to media reports, the invasion of the community may be connected to a protest on 4
October 2022 which allegedly led to the dethronement of the traditional ruler of Bodo Community, King John Berebon.
“Following the alleged dethronement, Bodo people reportedly marched to the Gokana local government council secretariat and the palace of Gberemene Gokana to inform the traditional institution that the people of Bodo had appointed Joseph Kpai as the new paramount regent.
"The people of Bodo community are victims of many years of environmental catastrophes as a result of activities of oil companies. Oil spills have left many people with illnesses while water and trees are all also contaminated."
Amnesty International subsequently called on the authorities to institute independent investigations into the alleged invasion and attacks on Bodo community and prosecute perpetrators of such grave human rights violations.
“Nigerian authorities must also ensure adequate reparations for the victims, including their families. The wanton use of the military in policing civil disturbances in almost all cases leads to human rights violations, as it is happening in Bodo community.
"The police must be instructed, trained and equipped to deal with restive situations in line with international law and standards,” the statement read.