Okina Deesor, a producer with Radio Rivers in Rivers state, was arrested on 31 July 1996 and detained at the Government House Cell, reportedly without being provided food or water. On 3 August, he was transferred to the Mobile Police Cell. According to Major Obi Umabi, who ordered the arrest, Deesor’s detention is in connection […]
Okina Deesor, a producer with Radio Rivers in Rivers state, was
arrested on 31 July 1996 and detained at the Government House
Cell, reportedly without being provided food or water. On 3
August, he was transferred to the Mobile Police Cell.
According to Major Obi Umabi, who ordered the arrest, Deesor’s
detention is in connection with the 18 July broadcast on Radio
Rivers of the Ogoni national anthem.
Background Information
Ogoniland, in southern Nigeria, is an oil-rich region home to
some 500,000 Ogoni people. The Nigerian military occupies the
area – which has been devastated by oil production — in great
numbers, and has harassed and detained countless activists who
were fighting for a clean-up of the polluted areas of Ogoniland
as well as compensation for the Ogonis themselves. On 10 November
1995, writer and Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was hanged along
with eight others (see IFEX alerts).
