28 CSO Group Demands Immediate Release of Oyama, Decries Rising Trend of Police Abuse

28 CSO Group Demands Immediate Release of Oyama, Decries Rising Trend of Police Abuse.

The Arrest and Detention of Environmental Activist Odey Oyama by the Nigerian Police Signifies a Rising Trend of Abuse and Repression

Stella Peters

Civil society groups and environmental activists have stated that the arrest by the police of Mr Odey Oyama, an environmental activist, and six others by the Ikom division in Cross River State is worrisome. The group says Mr Oyama and the six others have been incommunicado, without legal representation and formal charges, for at least 24 hours.

A joint statement signed by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Environmental Rights Actions, and twenty-five others stated that Odey Oyama was taken from Okuni’s residence on 14 January 2025. To this day, Odey has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing.

The statement reads, “As civil society organizations and activists in Nigeria, we are familiar with Odey Oyama’s selfless campaigns, which have earned him national and international recognition and helped preserve the ecological heritage of Cross River State. We are therefore alarmed that rather than support the efforts of Oyama and other campaigners like him to check the illegal destruction of the Cross River forests, the Police are complicit in weakening his resolve and repressing him. It is even more alarming that he was arrested and detained without formal charges against all extant Nigeria and international laws.”

“We are also concerned that this latest arrest is symbolic of the government’s growing intolerance towards the legitimate activities of civil society organizations. In Cross River State, in particular, we have witnessed a pattern of arrest and detention of journalists and activists with the flimsiest excuses but covertly to stifle democratic dissent. We are worried that the civic space is shrinking at an accelerated rate in the state, and the Police are highly complicit in this deteriorating trend.”

“The action of the Nigeria Police has once again demonstrated flagrant disregard for due process and their role in stifling dissenting voices, especially when vested business interests are at stake. In this instance, Odey Oyama, a conscientious objector to the destruction of the environment, rather than enjoy the protection of the government, is being systematically persecuted.”

Odey Oyama is a resolute campaigner for protecting the rainforest and biodiversity in Cross River state. This cause has brought him into constant confrontation with illegal loggers who plunder the rich forest ecosystem of Cross River state. Recently, Odey Oyama has been engaged in a fierce campaign against Chinese business concerns, working with Indigenous collaborators logging the Effi Rainforest. This trend has resulted in massive deforestation, wildlife dissipation, and biodiversity loss.

The group, however, call on the Nigeria Police to immediately release Odey Oyama and his six associates and cease all further hostile acts against their persons and legitimate campaigns.

They further pledge support for going to legitimate lengths to enforce Odey Oyama and his associates’ right to advocate peacefully without any let or hindrance.

The following organizations endorse this statement;

1. Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)

2. We the People

3. Policy Alert

4. Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre

5. Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF)

6. ANI Foundation

7. Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria)

8. YEAC Community Energy and Development (YEAC-CEAD).

9. Life Empowerment Foundation

10. Lekeh Development Foundation (LEDEF).

11. The Colonist Report Africa