Ogonis therefore only make up half a percent of the population of Nigeria. Since 1993 over 2000 Ogonis have been killed in the struggle against Nigeria s oppressive military regime and the destructive presence of oil companies in the region, especially Shell. Traditionally farmers and fishermen, the Ogoni people used to provide not only themselves with food, but also much of the surrounding area. However, since the 1950s when oil exploration began in Ogoni, the resulting environmental destruction has drastically altered the lives of the Ogonis and the entire ecology of the area. Acid rain now falls destroying the crops, water courses are polluted and pipelines run through villages and across farmland.
Environmental experts claim otherwise.
In mid-April 1997, a small team of local and international observers conducted soil and water tests at several locations throughout the delta, including Ogoni. They discovered drinking water that indicated levels of dissolved hydrocarbons that are up to a staggering 680 times higher than levels allowed in the European Community, Shell s home. Shell temporarily withdrew of its own accord in response to local dissatisfaction. Since then a lot of water has passed under the bridge. As Shell plans its return to Ogoni, it is expanding operations in the rest of Nigeria.