US, Nigeria head for diplomatic row - Over detention of American citizens - US lawmakers write Yar'Adua, demand for release
Chris Agbambu, Abuja, With Agency Reports
Thursday, April 17, 2008
UNITED States and Nigeria appear to be heading for a diplomatic row over the detention of four American filmmakers since April 12.


Indication to this emerged on Wednesday as 14 members of the US Congress sent a letter to President Umaru Yar’Adua demanding for the immediate release of the American citizens.



The lawmakers said they were deeply concerned that the Americans had been held for so long without any apparent cause, urging President Yar’Adua to ensure their full protection during their entire time in Nigeria.



Signatories to the letter are Senators Maria Cantwell, Russ Feingold, John Kerry, Max Baucus, Patty Murray, Jon Tester, Mary Landrieu and Sherrod Brown; and Representatives Jim McDermott, Rick Larsen, Norm Dicks, Adam Smith, Brian Baird and Jay Inslee.



The four Americans, along with a Nigerian, were taken into custody by the Nigerian military on April 12, while travelling by boat in the Niger Delta. The filmmakers were said to have been issued a visa by the Federal Government granting them permission to return to Nigeria to complete their documentary, Sweet Crude.



The film crew has been actively documenting the impact of oil production on the Niger Delta since 2005 and this was reportedly known to authorities in Nigeria.



Nigerian officials said that the group was being detained for investigation, but they have not been charged.



Director, Sandy Cioffi, along with producer, Tammi Sims and photojournalists, Cliff Worsham and Sean Porter, were said to have entered legally on April 5. They were accompanied by Joel Bisina, a Nigerian being held in custody with them. Bisina is the founder of a Warri-based NGO, Niger Delta Professionals for Development.



Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, has denied the allegation that he had any appointment with one of those arrested.



In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, the spokesman to the CDS, Lt. Col. J.A. Agim, stated that without prejudice to the ongoing investigation of the incident, the CDS considered it rather preposterous for the individuals to claim that they have scheduled audience with him.



According to him, it might come with the impression that the individuals are known to the Chief of Defence Staff and indeed have an appointment with him, adding that the fact was that there was no record of appointment between them and Chief of Defence Staff.



He said that the CDS was concerned by the allegation by the two Nigerians among the arrested men to the effect that “the presence of the team in Nigeria was public knowledge and that they are scheduled to have audience with the Chief of Defence Staff.”

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/apr/17/619.html

Will Nigeria look out for her citizens the way the US is looking out for hers?

Nigeria never look out for the ones in Naija, na na for abroad them go look out for you. Them go even conspire to finish you up.

why do we have ambassadors?

Nigerian officials/Senators/Diplomats do not have time to look out for thier fellow Nigerians.

To date do we even know what the official count of Nigerians who on 9/11 was?

Nigerian officials/Senators/Diplomats do not have time to look out for their fellow Nigerians.

To date do we even know what the official count of Nigerians who on 9/11 was?

Why are we wasting our resources on them?

Needlelady:


Why are we wasting our resources on them?

make e just be say we too get pple wey dey represent pple outside naija.

EloSela:

Nigerian officials/Senators/Diplomats do not have time to look out for their fellow Nigerians.

To date do we even know what the official count of Nigerians who on 9/11 was?

At this point, I really hope that none was a Nigerian.

At this point, I really hope that none was a Nigerian.

There were many, I can remember one ibo girl that works in an accounting firm in the WTC who lost her life there.

@ Topic,

Nope