Group decries detention of Nigerian, others after Israel’s interception of Gaza-bound aid flotilla
A pan-African organisation, Africans Rising, on Thursday, raised alarm over the continued detention of three Africans, following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) voyage, earlier in October, by Israel’s naval officers.
Africans Rising, in a Facebook post, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of a Nigerian, Okey Nnorom Vitalis, also known as Michael, along with two other Moroccans, Azizi Ghali and Ben Daraaoui.
The pan-African organisation said, “Africans Rising welcomes the release of some abducted Global Sumud Flotilla participants, but several activists remain in Israeli detention, including African activists, notably from Nigeria and Morocco.”
“These are humanitarian peace advocates, not criminals. Their only mission was to deliver food, medicine, and solidarity to Gaza’s besieged people,” the group added.
Demanding the release of all detained participants, Africans Rising called on concerned parties and world leaders to “end Israel’s unlawful attacks on humanitarian missions.”
Confirming the detention, the Global Sumud Flotilla, on Thursday and in an X post, revealed that “Israel had earlier said he was handed over to the Nigerian Embassy in Jordan, misleading GS Flotilla lawyers about his true status.”
Video footage, obtained by Peoples Gazette, showed a participant on one of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) ships, Omar Al-Mukhtar, self-identified as ‘Michael’ and a Nigerian, decrying the imminent risk of being attacked by the Israeli maritime officers.
“I am Michael from Nigeria, working here as a mechanic, heading to Palestine for humanitarian aid. We are here to speak to the world that we, on the vessel and other crew, are at risk because we are afraid that the Israelites might attack. We pray we shall arrive in Palestine without any difficulty, and we shall deliver all the goods we have to them,” Mr Michael said.
Meanwhile, six other Libyan nationals on the Omar Al-Mukhtar ship had been safely deported, following diplomatic and legal interventions by Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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