Late last week renewed violence broke out in the Niger Delta between the Nigerian Military – known as the Joint Task Force (JTF) and militant forces, some a part of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) as a result, innocent civilians have been killed and internally displaced.

Read the latest from the Nigerian newspaper the Vanguard: War in the creeks: Stop this carnage, say N-Delta leaders

Read the latest from Voice of America: Nigerian Civilians are Trapped As Army Takes on Rebels

Displaced women and children taking refuge at the relief camp at Ogbeh-Ijoh

JOINT STATEMENT ON DELTA CLASHES

SUNDAY, MAY 17 2009

Human rights and development organisations active in the Niger Delta have called for restraint on the part of the Nigerian military to prevent killing of civilians in communities close to clashes between the military and militants. The groups have also asked the military and militants to allow access for humanitarian groups to visit the communities.

“We have had tragic experiences in the very recent past when military actions of this nature have resulted in the destruction of whole communities and killing of many innocent people, as was the case with Odi and Odioma. The Nigerian political leadership should ensure that its armed forces understand the need to protect innocent citizens in the communities of the Niger Delta,” said Asume Osuoka of Social Action.

“The use of helicopter gunships against targets in  Okenkerenko, and by most accounts other villages, appears to be undisputable and has caused a mass evacuation of villagers in a creek environment where there are no safe options for refugees”, he said

There is no doubt that there are casualties from the current clashes who need urgent medical attention and there are thousands more who have fled their villages without adequate food or water.

We are calling on both the military and militants to allow free access for our local organisations and international groups such as the Red Cross, and Medicins Sans Frontiers without delay. This will ensure that aid is delivered where needed and end speculation over the level of casualties from the clashes over the past few days.

The military is claiming that it has acted responsibly and that civilians were not targeted in their operations. The best way for them to show the truth of this claim is to allow immediate access to Okekerenko, Oporoza and surrounding communities. We equally call on MEND to respect and support the need for villages to receive urgent assistance.

“There is need for immediate steps to reassure villagers that they can safely return to their communities before there are more deaths amongst the frail and young, who are the first casualties in such harsh conditions,” said Damka Pueba of Sustainable Peace Initiative

Signed

Asume Osuoka, Social Action (Chair, Gulf of Guinea Citizens Network) PH 0803 3099494

Patrick Naagbanton, Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development, Eleme, Rivers State

Damka Pueba, Sustainable Peace Initiative, PH