According to Amnesty International, 18 supporters of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) were detained by the Nigerian authorities in order to prevent them from meeting with representatives of the United Nations mission (16 Apr. 1996).

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that hundreds of Ogoni fled the government oppression in Ogoniland to neighbouring Benin where they requested asylum (AFP 29 Mar. 1996; Reuters 9 Apr. 1996). Same key MOSOP figures were reportedly among the refugees (AFP 29 Mar. 1996)

For further information on MOSOP, please refer to Responses to Information Requests NGA23871.E of 16 May 1996 and NGA23735.E of 25 April 1996 available at Regional Documentation Centres. The DIRB publication Current Information on the Ogoni, Including Information on the Trial and Execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, which is also available at Regional Documentation Centres, includes information on MOSOP and the Ogoni people for the period between May and February 1996.

The attached Boston Globe article of 7 April 1996 provides a brief history of the deterioration in relations between the Ogoni people, the Shell Oil company and the Nigerian government.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 March 1996. "Ogoni Fleeing Nigeria to Benin After Execution: UN." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 16 April 1996. Urgent Action: Nigeria: Fear of Ill-Treatment. (AI Index: AFR 44/07/96). London: Amnesty International.

Reuters. 9 April 1996. BC Cycle. "Nigeria's Ogoni Hit by Protests during U.N. Visit." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 March 1996. "Ogoni Fleeing Nigeria to Benin After Execution: UN." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 16 April 1996. Urgent Action: Nigeria: Fear of Ill-Treatment. (AI Index: AFR 44/07/96). London: Amnesty International.

Boston Globe. 7 April 1996. Wil Haygood. City Edition. "In Ogoniland, the Last Days and Legacy of Ken Saro-Wiwa." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 9 April 1996. BC Cycle. "Nigeria's Ogoni Hit by Protests during U.N. Visit." (NEXIS)