Fabeke Faults Suspension of Displaced Ogonis from International Protection, Cites Sabotage behind Action
The Frontline human rights activist for the Ogoni people and President of Ogoni Liberation Initiative, OLI, Douglas Fabeke, has criticized an alleged delisting of Ogoni refugees from the intervention program of the United Nations Refugee Organization.
Fabeke made the disclosure through a post he shared on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, October 15, 2026, pointing out that the action was taken based on a false evidence presented to the UN body, which claimed that the displaced Ogoni individuals have been fully resettled in their respective communities.
The Ogoni Freedom fighter stated that he got the facts after an interactive session with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and member of the Platform of Independent Experts on Refugees Rights (PIERR), Gerad Madi, and a South African legal officer working with the UN body, Albert Esq.
According to Fabeke, the special session was held to discuss the current state of profiled immigration refugees in Africa, during which he inquired and found the misinformation and false report about Ogoni refugees being already resettled.
“I have been informed that the United Nations and several Member States suspended the resettlement of Ogoni refugees to safe third world countries following the receipt of a special report claiming that the Ogoni people had been fully resettled and were no longer in need of international protection,” he said.
As a matter of emphasis, Fabeke pointedly noted that to date the United Nations, in collaboration with Member States, continue to facilitate the resettlement of refugees across Africa to safe locations of their choice, adding that it is only such countries which have certified the safety of their citizens after necessary financial support were excluded.
He lamented the situation as sabotage on the unsettled refugees displaced from eleven (11) communities of Tai Local Government Area in Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria, who yet live in various camps and locations both in Ogoni and outside.
“This development raises serious concerns. The Ogoni people remain displaced. Many are still in refugee camps, and even within Ogoniland, our communities have not been properly resettled or rehabilitated,” he asserted.
The human rights advocate declared that the UN refugee organisation has a question to answer on this matter, disclosing that he had written a letter to officially demand the release of that specific misleading report and the identity of its source.
He noted finally that it was necessary to ascertain whether the report emanated from the Federal Government of Nigeria, any other organizations, groups or individuals, including the rationale that could have informed such decision.
