#patrick naagbanton

Continuous rainfalls on the Akala-Olu road worsen its appalling condition. The road was lonely, slippery, with bents and twists. Not up to a kilometre to the community were cautioning signs on iron boards all over the place like “Restricted Area. Vehicles not allowed. Well head.” These boards were installed sideways of the road and nearby farmlands. There were lots of flow lines and well heads scattered all over. Two bulky pipes, one of them, vomiting cloudy smoke constantly, led me to Akala-Olu village. The community sat of on a large expanse of fertile land, swamps and forests. Houses were built closer to one another.

By Patrick Naagbanton

We traveled westwards and passed the stations of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and DAAR Communications Plc – AIT/Ray Power, Ozuoba and other Ikwerre communities, which are located along the NTA/Choba Road.

By Patrick Naagbanton

About 10.00am, on Saturday, 19th February 2006, the Odio-Ama Community was invaded. A contingent of soldiers, navy, police and Nigeria’s secret police (State Security Services) came in gun boats, and attacked it through its western axis. They killed and maimed natives at sight. Several houses there were razed down. The military action was a response to the savage slaughtering of twelve councillors from the Nembe Local Government Council.