According to press releases issued by the Niger Delta Human and Human Rescue Organization (ND-HERO), the group, located in Port Harcourt, "is a mass base human and environmental rights organization in the Niger Delta" (27 Nov. 1998; 6 Dec. 1998). According to several sources, the president of ND-HERO is Azibaola Robert (HRW 11 Aug. 2000; Delta Jan. 1999; ND-HERO 31 Dec. 1998) although in another report he is referred to as the Director (Nigeria Transition Watch 17 June 1999).

No information regarding the organization or structure of ND-HERO, including the existence and locations of other offices, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. No references to involvement of members of ND-HERO in a demonstration against Shell in Koko on 15 October 1999 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, there are passing references to other ND-HERO members, including a reference to the detention of Uche Ukwukwu in November 1996 and Bariara Kpalap, an Ogoni and the "Director of Programs for ND-HERO" (HRW Jan. 1999). In addition Nigeria Transition Watch refers Bariara Kpalap as aMOSOP [Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni Peoples] member (17 June 1999). An ND-HERO report on an oil spill in Bayelse state is credited to "Purane Ebelegi (ND-HERO field officer)" (6 Dec. 1998).

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 Response.

References

Delta. January 1999. News Release. http://www.oneworld.org/delta/9906_IJAW.html [Accessed 11 Aug. 2000]

Human Rights Watch (HRW), London. 11 Aug. 2000. Telephone interview with Senior Researcher.

_____. January 1999. The Price of Oil. http://www.hrw.org/hrw/reports/1999/nigeria/index.htm [Accessed 11 Aug. 2000]

Niger Delta Human and Environmental Rescue Organization (ND-HERO). 31 December 1998. "Niger Delta Crisis Escalating - An Update." http://www.oilcompanies.org/shell/dec31.html [Accessed 10 Aug. 2000]

_____. 6 December 1998. "Another Major Environmental Pollution Occurs in Shell's Facilities at Santa Babara Flow Station in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, leaving the Environment Devastates and Community Helpless." http://www.essentialaction.org/shell/HERO_Nembe.html [Accessed 11 Aug. 2000]

_____. 27 November 1998. "Niger Delta Rights Group Meet With The UN Special Rapporteur To Nigeria." http://www.essentialaction.org/shell/HERO_HRRap.html [Accessed 11 Aug. 2000]

Nigeria Transition Watch Number 9. 17 June 1999. Michael Fleshman, The Africa Fund. "Report From Nigeria 2." http://www.prairienet.org/acas/nigeria2.html [Accessed 11 Aug. 2000]

Additional Sources Consulted

Unsuccessful attempts to contact an oral source.

Internet sites, including:

Nigeria Media Monitor.

NigeriaNews.Net

Odili.Net

Post Express Wired.