For Osamuyia Aikpitanhi (June 29 In Pictures)

Today is historic in the life of Nigerians. Some concerned citizens have organized a worldwide demonstration to protest the MURDER of Osamuyia Aikpitanhi in the hands of the Spanish Police. He was killed on the 9th of June 2007 while been flown on a notorious IBERIA flight to Lagos.

In Sweden, I took up the voluntary challenge to lead the protest. I have my friends and we do hang out a lot. Usually, they respond to my message when it’s time for party, meeting up in town or going for a game of football.

Today, only 7 people showed up for the demonstration that took place in Stockholm city. Five Nigerians, 1 Zimbabwean, and a Kenya lady was all the response that I got. I sent out more than 210 messages to over 70 people. I imagine that several more Nigerians got the message, some at very short notices. I posted messages on this site (and elsewhere) and I walked the length and breadth of Stockholm city for many days creating awareness and sensitizing people.

The police on the other hand had 2 helicopters flying in the air. They gave us a car to lead us as we march on the streets of Stockholm. They had many other cars and patrols on standby. We marched like this: Sergelarkaden-Hamngatan-Norrmalmstorg-Nybroplan-Strandvägsallen-Djurgårdsbron-Djurgårdsvägen to Hazeliusbacken (just beside SKANSEN) where the Spanish embassy is located.

ONLY 7 PEOPLE despite the hundreds of Africans that I reached out to and the endless messages to my Nigerian brothers!!!

Now, you sit there in your house complaining about racism. Racism will NEVER stop. Today we got a chance to give our voices against racism, we BLEW the chance. The Police were at their best today waiting for us to gather. Folks were nowhere to be found. They have gone to work and they cannot ask for a day off to honour Osamuyia or to express their grievances over the maltreatment of Africans.

A Kenyan lady was killed and dropped in water several months ago. Nobody did anything in public to express our collective shock. It was today that our East African brother and sister got some real inspiration that they too can protest the death of their sister.

There is an African mentality that has confined our minds to enslavement. To have a gathering from Sergels Torg in the centre of Stockholm is almost an allergy to Africans. We are used to seeing only people from the Middle East and South America protest there every other day. Today presented a wonderful opportunity but there was no African brother or sister to maximize the begging opportunity. ONLY 7 of us!

Africans lack the quality leadership that will make them free. Even when the leadership comes begging or presents itself on a platter of Gold, Africans look the other way or they just sit on the Fence. I don’t see the end of Racism as the start of the war against racism is in coma.

I can write forever but I’ll leave the thinking to you, afterall the greatest judge is our conscience.

May the Glory of Africa come, soon!

Militants demand ransom on kidnapped toddler

June 28, 2007 / Adeola / Leave a comment

From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt (Guardian on Thursday 28th).

KIDNAPPERS of the toddler, Master St. Michael Steward, have demanded an undisclosed amount as ransom for the release of the child. Michael, the son of a Rivers State legislator, Mrs. Linda Steward, was abducted from a private school, Tantua International School, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

The whereabouts of St. Michael remains unknown.

A source close to the legislature, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed to The Guardian that the kidnappers had called the parents of the child to demand for an unspecified amount of money.

Three armed young men said to be in their early 20’s, had on Tuesday morning gone to Tantua International School, Elekahia Housing Estate, Port Harcourt, and kidnapped the three-year-old boy.

The source said the parents of the child are apprehensive over his safety and would want him released to them without further delay. According to him, the kidnappers alleged that the child was safe but declined to declare his whereabouts.

He said: “The guys want money from the parents. They are insisting that they must be paid before the child will be returned to his parents. I am not aware if they have issued any threat yet but I can confirm that they are demanding for ransom.”

When contacted yesterday, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, said he was not aware of any group demanding for ransom from the parents of the child. He said Police investigation into the matter was still on.

Eyewitnesses told The Guardian on Tuesday that the three gunmen, after kidnapping the toddler, drove away in a Mazda saloon car towards Iwofe, one of the most notorious routes of kidnappers who often take their victims to the creeks to evade security agents.

Attempts to reach the lawmaker on phone yesterday proved abortive because her mobile phone was switched off since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Police in the state have continued a stop-and-search of all vehicles in Port Harcourt and its environs.

St. Michael is the second child to be kidnapped from a private school in Port Harcourt. The first child has since been released to the parents.

Nigerians protest killing of citizen by Spanish Police

June 28, 2007 / Adeola / 4 Comments

(This news is from the Guardian, June 28 2007).

A MASSIVE protest by Nigerians is to be staged tomorrow across the globe to demand a probe into the maltreatment and subsequent killing of a Nigerian, Osamuyia Aikpitanhi, by Spanish law enforcement agencies on June 9, this year.

The march, being organised by a group called Concerned Nigerians Worldwide (CNW), is billed to hold in over 20 countries.

According to reports, Aikpitanhi, a Nigerian immigrant, was arrested by Spanish agents and “loaded” into an Iberia aircraft bound for Lagos, Nigeria.

The operatives beat the Nigerian, bound his hands and legs firmly with ropes, and put a gag over his mouth.”

And the man died.

“This is murder,” claims Mr. Uche Nworah, spokesperson for the United Kingdom chapter of the CNW.

He added: “Mr. Aikpitanhi, a human being, was treated worse than an animal – his crime was coming to Spain to try and make a better life for himself and his family. Illegal immigrants are deported from host countries all the time, but the level of force used by the Spanish officials was excessive and unjustified.”

The protests will take place at Spanish Embassies worldwide, including those in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), France, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Nigeria. Country chapters of CNW are setting their local times, but full information is available at Hyperlink.

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Adeola says: I am leading the Protest in Sweden.

May the Glory of Nigeria come, soon!