Relieved Over Walton’s Release From Captivity, Rights Lawyer Calls For Nigeria’s Structural Reset
The Oasis Reporters
November 2, 2020
US based Nigerian born Rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe has expressed relief over the news that 27 year old American hostage missionary Walton was rescued by US Seals in Nigeria.
” It is regrettable that he was abducted in the Republic of Niger, further north of Northern Nigeria and his captors found it comfortable for them to hide him in Nigeria”, he says, further noting .that:
1. The first known US casualties of terror occurred in the neighboring country of Niger when four US troops were killed by a Fulani terrorist group who ambushed them with cattle.
2. Americans have been exceptionally fortunate to survive Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria on multiple occasions. Though not publicly admitted by the USA to this day, we have the dates, incidents and identities of American survivors of multiple Boko Haram attacks over the years.
3. Americans and Canadians have also been abducted by the Fulani syndicate and successfully recovered.
4. Boko Haram operates in Niger and used to hire mercenaries from there to operate in Nigeria and return.
5. Despite this, Gen. Buhari has taken a $2 Billion loan to construct an ill-advised cross-border railway line to Niger which many fear will just be a delivery system for more terror and weapons (Trans terror express).
6. A prior rescue of a British and Italian hostage in the north by UK Special Forces was ill-fated and resulted in the deaths of both captives Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara.
7. We urge the release by terrorists of Rev Polycarp Zongo and the release of Leah Sharibu amongst others (Rev. Zongo has however been released).
8. However we are deeply shocked at the investigative report by Premium Times which confirms the killings and cover by the Nigerian army last week in Nigeria, titled,
Investigation: Bullets, blood-death- Untold story of what happened at Lekki Toll-gate.
9. While America sent troops to Nigeria to rescue one American citizen, Nigeria sent troops to Lekki to kill many Nigerian citizens.
10. Just recently a Nigerian was named American Soldier of the Year. Yet in Nigeria, soldiers like him were killing fellow Nigerians.
This is unconscionable as Nigeria harms itself again and again”.
Emmanuel Ogebe
US NIGERIA LAW GROUP
WASHINGTON
In rescuing the American Held Hostage in Nigeria, here’s what Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State had to say:
“The United States is committed to the safe return of all U.S. citizens taken captive. We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a U.S. citizen after a group of armed men took him hostage across the border in Niger.
Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our military, the support of our intelligence professionals, and our diplomatic efforts, the hostage will be reunited with his family.
We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”
I dare ask, when will Nigeria say a similar thing about Nigeria not abandoning any Nigerian taken hostage?
