by via Democracy Now Thursday May 21st, 2009 8:20 AM

Thursday, May 21, 2009 :The Nigerian military has been accused of killing hundreds, maybe thousands, of civilians in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The military offensive began eight days ago but has received little international attention. We go to Nigeria to speak with Denzil Amagbe Kentebe of the Ijaw National Congress. We're also joined by Sandy Cioffi, director of the new documentary "Sweet Crude" about the Niger Delta. The village of Oporoza, where much of the film was shot, has just been burned down.

We turn now to Nigeria where the Nigerian military continues to carry out attacks by land, air and sea on the oil-rich Niger Delta. Reports indicate hundreds–if not thousands–of Nigerian civilians may be dead. Entire villages have been reportedly burned to the ground.

The military offensive began eight days ago but has received little international attention. Aid groups and journalists have been blocked from entering the remote region which is accessible only by boat.

On Wednesday, a coalition of environmental and human rights groups called on the International Criminal Court to launch an immediate investigation into the killings.

The Nigerian military has claimed the attacks have only targeted militant camps as part of a peace-keeping effort.

For years activist groups in the Niger Delta have advocated for fair distribution of oil wealth to local communities in the impoverished region. Last week one of the main militant groups in the Niger Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta or MEND, declared an oil war and threatened all international industry vessels that approach the region.

80% of the oil extraction in Nigeria is in the Niger Delta. Major oil firms in the area include Shell and Chevron.

We are joined by two guests. Denzil Amagbe Kentebe is on the phone from Nigeria. He is the chair of the Ijaw National Congress, Lagos chapter. He is from Bayelsa State, the site of the ongoing military attacks.

Sandy Cioffi joins us in Seattle Washington. She is the director of the new film “Sweet Crude” about the Niger Delta. On Wednesday the village of Oporoza, where much of Sweet Crude was filmed, was burned down.

Denzil Amagbe Kentebe, chair of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Lagos Chapter.

Sandy Cioffi, director of the new film “Sweet Crude.” During the making of the film, Sandy and her crew were detained by the Nigerian military and held for seven days.

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