Joint Statement by Policy Alert and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
The Arrest and Detention of Environmental Activist Odey Oyama by the Nigerian Police Signifies a Rising Trend of Abuse and Repression
January 20,2025 – On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, environmental activist and director of the Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC), Mr. Odey Oyama and six others were arrested by Police officers from the Ikom division of the Cross River State Police Command. He was taken from his Okuni home and driven to Calabar where he was kept incommunicado, without legal representation and without formal charges for at least 24 hours. Odey Oyama is a resolute campaigner for the protection of the rainforest and biodiversity in Cross River state, a cause that has brought him in constant confrontation with illegal loggers who plunder the rich forest ecosystem of Cross River state.
In recent times, Odey Oyama has been engaged in a fierce campaign against Chinese business concerns working with indigenous collaborators who are logging the Effi Rainforest, a trend that has resulted in massive deforestation, dissipation of wildlife and loss of biodiversity. Up till now, Odey has not been formerly charged with any wrongdoing. 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.
As civil society organizations and activists in Nigeria, we are familiar with the selfless campaigns of Odey Oyama that have earned him national and international recognition and have helped to 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 growing intolerance of the government 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.
We call on the Nigeria Police to immediately release Odey Oyama and his 6 associates and cease all further hostile acts against their persons and legitimate campaigns.
We shall go to all legitimate lengths to enforce the right of Odey Oyama and his associates to advocate peacefully without any let or hindrance.
This statement is endorsed by the following organizations:
1. Policy Alert
2. Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF
3. We the People
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
12. Social Action Nigeria
13. Yeraba Women Foundation.
14. Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative (HEHRAI)
15. Girls Power Initiative (GPI)
16. Nkori Rural Women and Development Initiative (Uyo Iban Amplifier Initiative)
17. Secure Health and Environment Development (SHADAfrica)
18. Association Managing Development in Nigeria (ARADIN)
19. Partnership for Social and Environmental Development Initiative P4SEDI
20. Green Planet Initiative International
21. PADIC
22. The Save Our Green Spaces Group
23.Emerald Forest Reserve, Ikoyi Osun, Osun State
24. Emilie Guitard, French National Center for Scientific Research CNRS
25. Save Ogunpa Forest Reserve Team, comprising:
* Nigerian Conservation Foundation NCF
* Nigerian Tropical Biology Association NTBA
* Nigerian Society for Conservation Biology NSCB
* Africa Nature Investors ANI
* Abiodi Biodiversity Preservation Centre ABPC
* Wildlife Society of Nigeria WISON
* Development Agenda DA
* JAVS Environmental Care Ltd.
* Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa
* Save Sahara Network SSN
* Save Our Green Spaces Group
* West African Conservation Network WACN
* Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas SCERA
* International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA Forest Center
* Biodiversity Conservation Club, University of Ibadan
* Nigerian Institute of Architects, Oyo State Chapter
* Bodija Estate Residents Association BERA
* SAN Great Green Wall of Africa GGWOA
* Cooperation for Accelerating Sustainable Development CASDA
* Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team NEST.
26. Rainbow Watch and Development Centre (RWDC)
27. Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria ( ERA/ FoEN)
28. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
29. Nigerian Field Society (NFS)
30. Biodiversity Rescue Club
31. For Nature And Future Eco Green Initiative
32. Children and Young People Living for Peace(CYPLP)
Media contact:
Abasiama Cyril
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Policy Alert,
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