Last updated on August 6th, 2023 at 07:25 am
There is bloodshed in Oyigbo community in the oil-rich state of Rivers, some residents of the area have described it as a massacre.
VIDEO SOURCE: @MaryannNgozika
Soldiers on the invitation of the state governor Nyesom Wike invaded the area to restore in the area after some security operatives were allegedly killed.
What Led To Oyigbo Military Invasion?
It’s gathered that carnage started after some members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed military personnel and destroyed police stations.
Governor Wike in a broadcast disclosed that he would not allow his state for the proscribed group to operate in his state.
How it started:
During the #EndSars protest across Nigeria, Nigerians, mostly the youth, had taken to the street, calling an end to police brutality, poor governance, and impunity among politicians.
Just like every other state, the peaceful protest was hijacked by hoodlums. They destroyed private and government buildings. They also looted and unleash mayhem on security operatives and other Nigerians.
Wike said some IPOB members seized the #EndSars protest in his state to kill and burnt government buildings, leading to the invitation of heavily armed personnel of the Nigeria military.
It turned to IPOB vs Soldiers
On Friday, October 30, 2020, Governor Wike said the protest against police brutality was peaceful until IPOB members took the laws into their own hands, accusing them of killing six soldiers and four police officers during the #EndSARS protest.
“I don’t support criminality. IPOB killed six army officers, four policemen, burnt police stations and court buildings” Wike said.
A Twitter user, Tope Akinyode said, “There are credible reports that army is moving from house to house to kill people in Oyigbo Rivers State. This is recklessness & wickedness. American military risked all to save just a citizen yesterday but Nigeria’s army is killing it’s people. Brutai must go.”
Wike Accused of fighting the Igbos
The killings in Oyigbo, Rivers State, is taking another ethnic dimension as some groups in the South-East states, majorly dominated by Igbos, are accusing Wike of fighting the Igbo tribe in rivers. He denied it.
He said he would not fold his arms to allow miscreants to take laws in their own hands and to turn his state to the battleground.
Nigerians Are worried About killings in Oyigbo
While some activists described the massacre in Oyigbo, Rivers, as “media blackout, some of them have continued to post disturbing videos of dead bodies on the streets of Oyigbo on Twitter.
Some of the videos are unverified as the authorities have remained quiet on the happenings in the oil-rich state.
Some of them are asking: What is happening in Oyigbo?
On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Wike, declared a 24-hour curfew in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
Since the curfew was declared, Oyigbo has remained a troubled community as violence has gone on non-stop.
For days, videos and photos of young people allegedly killed by soldiers in Oyigbo have found their way to social media
Some of the videos that have found their way on Twitter are gory, which we can’t publish on this platform, however, we’ll provide a:
Link to some of the disturbing photos of killings of Nigerians in Oyigbo.
The MURDERER And TYRANT, Shekau Wike @GovWike Is Carrying Out A Systematic Genocide Against The Igbos In An Ongoing Attack In Obigbo/Oyigbo Rivers State. Soldiers Are On The Streets Shooting And Killing Unarmed Civilians In Broad Daylight. #Obigbomassacre #oyigboMassacre @hrw pic.twitter.com/ib7KNuVCEg
— Somto Okonkwo 𓃵 (@General_Somto) November 2, 2020
Those who posted the videos have accused the Nigerian military of carrying out what they described as “genocide”
Popular comedian Debo Macaroni tweeted, “Injustice to one is an injustice to all!!! What is happening in Oyigbo??? Please!!!! We want Peace, Unity and Love in Nigeria!!!”
Another user, Mazi Gburugburu who described Oyigbo killings a genocide tweeted, “I have confirmed from credible sources that there are boots on the ground in Iriebe and Oyigbo area in Rivers State who have rendered the communities there near desolate. The #oyigboMassacre is shaping to surpass Lekki. Please, let’s stand up in unison against this madness.”
A resident in the community @pee_resplandor said, “I’m currently here in oyigbo. We are on 24hrs curfew. No light,no water no place to get fuel. No bank is open . Yet the military is patrolling and will shoot on sight anybody that’s caught outside. They currently destroyed my neighbours property just this morning.”
A popular activist Aisha Yesufu also added her voice, saying there is a media blackout in the troubled community, “here is media blackout on killings all over Nigeria. That is why they want to shut down social media which they haven’t been able to control. Those with information on Oyigbo should share so we all know. Injustice to one is an injustice to all.”
Wike in full support of Oyigbo killings – Henry Shield
A Twitter user and activist Henry Shield who claimed to have called Governor Wike, said the governor confided in him that he (Wike) was in full support of what’s going in the troubled area.
“I just got off the phone with Gov. Wike. He is in full support of what’s going on in Oyigbo”
Henry Shield who is angry said, “Those of you silent over the killings in Oyigbo, Rivers State because of political affiliation, we see you all. We hear your silence, loud and clear.”
Stephen tweeted, “Oyigbo in Rivers State has been under a 24hrs curfew for nine days now. Soldiers have been going from house to house harassing and killing people. Our families are cut off from accessing medicine, food, water and all other life-saving necessities.”
