The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised concern after police stopped a peaceful protest in Ogoni, Rivers State.
The protest, which had over 4,000 people, was against the federal government’s plan to restart oil drilling in the area. The protesters said oil activities should not continue until the Ogoni cleanup is done, communities get justice, and the process is transparent.
Eyewitnesses said police scattered the crowd and chased people away.
MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, condemned the action, saying it goes against democracy. “People should be free to speak out peacefully. Stopping them like this is wrong,” he said.
He added that the Ogoni people’s voices have not been heard in talks about oil resumption. “Until our demands are met, there will be no oil resumption in Ogoni,” he insisted.
The incident has increased fears that restarting oil without proper steps could make the pollution in Ogoni even worse.
The protest came just a week after President Bola Tinubu honored the late Ogoni-4, in what many saw as part of reconciliation with the people.
