Several other foreign journalists and filmmakers have been detained while working in the region in recent years. In April, four members of a Seattle-based film crew were arrested in the Delta and held for six days on spying charges. Apparently, Nigeria doesn't want the world to notice the economic and ecological disaster that is taking place in the Niger Delta.
Despite its oil riches, the Niger Delta is a desperately poor and increasingly lawless part of the country, where wealth is siphoned away by corrupt officials. Militants demand a greater share of the area’s oil resources and claim to be fighting on behalf of the impoverished residents, but also appear to be engaging in many criminal and opportunistic acts of violence. Hundreds of foreign workers and wealthy Nigerians have been kidnapped for ransom, and oil theft is rampant.The Committee to Protect Journalists has demanded his immediate release, but we need to bring more pressure on Nigeria to stop this wanton censureship of filmmakers and journalists. If you can, please call your Congressional Representative and your Senators.
Thanks!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
UPDATE
Andrew has been provisionally released. There are still restrictions.
8 comments:
That is horrible and very troubling. I have heard that Nigeria can be very dangerous in this way.
I am going to write letters now and get the word out about this.
Me too. Nice how our government has made this world a kinder , gentler place, eh?
"Unka Dick, I changed my mind, I like Nigerians now, heh heh."
I think I'll give the Dishonorable George Voinovich a call. Maybe I can get some audible crocodile tears.
I'll definitely write to Dick Durbin. Not sure if he'll do anything. In the meantime, I'll keep him and the others in my prayers.
Surely there has to be a wealthy Nigerian prince somewhere. I get emails from them all the time. Maybe i can hook him up.
But seriously, I'll contact Dick Lugar and Evan Bayh.
ps - I did write to Congressman David Wu. I hope to hear Andrew has been released soon as well as his guide- translator.
How scary. I'm glad he's been provisionally released. I will look into this more.
Very Good Diva!
I hate to always sound doom and gloom but the more every country says screw what the rest of the world thinks as Bush has also done it will get much more violent and decadent as time goes by!
Post a Comment