Document #1097400
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
There are reports of women being arrested in connection with the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) (Newswatch 8 Feb. 2000; The Comet 19 July 2000; Vanguard Daily 26 Oct. 2000; The News 25 Oct. 2000; AFP 20 Oct. 2000). In October 2000 Vanguard Daily reported that "four women, including a nursing mother" were among 30 OPC members under police detention at the Ondo State CID division, after being arrested "for unlawful assembly" (ibid.). In February 2000, OPC members, including women, were arrested in Lagos and then arraigned before a chief magistrate's court where they "were charged with conspiracy, murder, pouring of acid on policemen and stealing of fire-arms" (8 Feb. 2000).
According to The Comet, a woman who identified herself as a member of Faseun's (Fasehun) OPC faction, was detained by police while in possession of "OPC charms" (19 July 2000). According to her, members of the OPC had gone to a meeting "with the chairman of the Surulere Council" when "the police suddenly swooped on us" (ibid.). She claimed that "the police had taken her clothes off to make her wear new garments bearing OPC emblems" (ibid.).
In reporting on "a ferocious battle between the police and members of OPC" at a small rural town just east of Ilorin, which reportedly included the deaths of police officers and at least one OPC member, The News wrote that 18 persons had been arrested (25 Oct. 2000). A woman from the Lagos branch of the OPC was one of these persons, all of whom were charged with "criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of arms and fire arms, criminal possession of charms and unlawful assembly" (ibid.). At their initial appearance in court they all pleaded not guilty (ibid.).
AFP reported that after four days of violence in Lagos involving the OPC, 41 persons were "charged with murder, possession of illegal weapons and arson" and that those charged included Frederick Fasheun and a woman (20 Oct. 2000).
In related information, the Nigerian Tribune reported on 12 June 2000 allegations that an OPC meeting in Lagos was disrupted by "police, armed with two armoured tanks and more than 15 vehicles of the police special patrol unit." An OPC spokesperson claimed that those "harassed" by police included "leaders of the Lagos State Market Women Association" (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 October
2000. Ade Obisesan. "Leader of Nigerian Militant Group Charged With
Murder, Arson." (NEXIS)
The Comet [Lagos]. 19 July
2000. "Police Confirm 20 Dead in Clashes With OPC." http://cometnews.com.ng/19072000/nn38104.html
[Accessed 13 February 2000]
The News [Lagos]. 25 October
2000. Richard Elesho. "Nigeria; The Battle for Ilorin." (NEXIS)
Newswatch [Lagos]. 8 February
2000. Fola Adekeye. "The Final Assault." http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.newswatchngr.com/The%2520final%2520assault.htm+%22lagos+state+police+command+appears+set+to+deal+a+decisive%22&hl=en
[Accessed 13 Feb. 2001]
Nigerian Tribune [Ibadan]. 12
June 2000. Dele Aderibigbe, Bisi Ademakinwa and Micahel Olugbode.
"Police Storm OPC Meeting With Armoured Tanks."
Vanguard Daily [Lagos]. 26
October 2000. Dayo Johnson. "Nigeria; Members of Banned Militia
Groups Advised to Join Police." (Africa News 26 Oct.
2000/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS-NEXIS
REFWORLD
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet sites including:
Post Express [Lagos].
Vanguard [Apapa].
Search engines including:
Google
HotBot
Reports of women being arrested in connection with the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) (January 2000 - February 2001) [NGA36289.E] (Response, French)