This was the account of how General Victor Malu a former Chief of Army Staff under Gen Abacha and during the early days of Obasanjo's administration, ordered the destruction of Odi a village in Bayelsa State, but got the same treatment on his own village a few months after by the same army he commanded.
"One of the darkest chapters in the abuse of human rights in Nigeria is the Odi massacre. Malu was the head of the army when this sad event occurred. The attack was carried out on November 20, 1999, in the sleepy town in Bayelsa state."
Twelve police officers were murdered by a gang near Odi on November 4. The military decided to invade the village but was reportedly ambushed by militants. They reinforced and by the time the carnage was over, every building in the town except the bank, the Anglican church, and the health center was burnt to the ground. The Environmental Rights Action put the death toll at nearly 2500 civilians.
NEMESIS? MALU’S UNCLE AND WIFE KILLED IN ONE NIGHT
"Two years later, 19 soldiers sent to restore peace following an ethnic crisis in Zaki-Biam, a community in the Malu’s state of Benue, were killed and abducted. While on a revenge mission, the entire area was cordoned off by soldiers, with armored tanks that were given air cover by helicopter gunboats.
This happened six months into Malu’s retirement. At the end of that military action, at least 300 persons, including Malu’s relations had been killed. Pev Adoor, his blind octogenarian uncle, and his wife lost their lives. His houses were burnt. Two days after the attack, Malu granted an interview to the New York Times.
“There is no other organization in the country that could have done this. ‘Only the army has the tanks, the armored vehicles and the arms to do this. I cannot believe it was spontaneous. It must have been very carefully planned. How can you kill innocent civilians, farmers carrying yam on their heads? Can you mistake a yam tuber for a missile?” he asked.
Malu has put behind all the stories and worries. He is now in a place beyond the reach of mortals. He was one of the finest military officers: a soldier of soldiers." With The Cable
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