Nigeria: Fears of human rights violations after troops deployed in Niger Delta

Amnesty International fears that a military operation by the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Hope in the town of Odioma, Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta has resulted in the death of at least 15 civilians, the rape of at least two women, injuries to many people and the razing of the majority of houses in the town, the organization warned. Amnesty International has been informed that soldiers of the Joint Task Force, comprised of army and navy units, were called in to Odioma by the State authorities on 19 February to reduce tension between communities and to seek out and arrest youths who allegedly killed 12 community members, including four councillors, earlier in February.