More than 12 Nigerian businessmen in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, have allegedly been killed and 128 imprisoned by the government of that country for their membership of militant groups. This was contained in a letter of protest written to the Senate President, David Mark, by Nigeria/Malabo Boat Operators Association, dated March 10, 2009 and signed by the Secretary General of the association, Mr. Ebong Sunday.
The letter, made available to Sunday Tribune in Umuahia, informed that Equatorial Guinea government also seized 11 boats, including the merchandise in them.
The members of the association said in the letter that they trade in mattresses, foodstuff, rubber products and other items between Calabar and Malabo, and that they are duly registered in both countries.
“The reason for the assault on us remains unknown, but we understand that a group of persons went to Malabo prisons, to forcefully free some white men jailed for their involvement in a coup plot about three years ago which resulted in the exchange of gun shot, which they turned around to allege that they are militants from Nigeria,” the letter stated.