Why FG, military must compensate victims of Ayakoromo military bombardment

By Anita Godfrey

Niger Delta is one region that has suffered multiple unprovoked military bombardments since Nigeria’s independence till date. The military kills and bombs communities without provocation. Especially Ijaw communities suffered the highest military onslaught. Innocent children, women, youths and old men were killed. Some communities were wiped out of existence. Families went extinct and generations were gunned down. Properties worth billions of naira have gone done the drain.

This menace continued uninterrupted, it has turned a norm for the Nigerian military to invade and kill residents under the guise of trumped-up allegations.

Niger Delta is synonymous with agitations following perceived injustice that has been meted out for the region, each time the youths rise to demand a share of the region’s oil resources, the military comes against them and bombards communities and residents at will. Most communities bombed are not involved in the region’s agitations. Sometimes the military hit communities because a suspect came from a particular community. That amounted to a breach of fundamental human rights. But the people suffered in silence because there was no one to advocate on their behalf.

Ayakoromo community was among the communities hit unlawfully in 2010. The military bombed the community because the late ex-militant, late John Togo hailed from the community. Ayakoromo was never a militant camp or hideout but was hit unprofessionally. The entire community was bombed and razed down. Families were wiped out and the survivors took to their heels. The community was sieged for some years. Survivors fled and were exiled for several years.

(Displayed Ayakoromo survivors)

The community was rebuilt by former president, Goodluck Jonathan following a strong public outcry by residents–Niger Delta stakeholders and leaders. The construction works were done shabbily as it was handled by a military contractor. Some houses were left unbuilt and the victims and the deaths are yet to be compensated.

Speaking in an interview with Congress news, comrade Ozobo Austin, Niger Delta rights activist said the military is yet to compensate the victims and deaths of the Ayakoromo community.

He said, “Our brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers killed in the military bombardment in the Ayakoromo community are yet to be compensated.

“It has been 13 years now since my community came under the military onslaught. We were attacked unprovoked and several lives were lost and the entire community was burnt down.

“It is still part of our demands that the deceased families and those who lost their livelihood be compensated.

“Hopefully, I know Tinubu will see the need to compensate victims of the Ayakoromo community, despite Buhari flagrantly ignoring it,” he added.