- Timaya, a Nigerian musician, reflects on the 1999 Odi massacre.
- The massacre occurred in Bayelsa State, targeting the Ijaw community.
- It was carried out by the Nigerian Army under government orders.
Nigerian musician Timaya has shared his personal memories of the devastating 1999 Odi massacre that took place in his native Bayelsa State. He revealed that the violent assault was executed by the Nigerian Army under government orders, targeting the mainly Ijaw community of Odi.
Timaya described the event as a deeply personal tragedy, noting that his mother owned a bakery in Odi at the time. The military operation led to significant loss of life and widespread destruction of property in the town.
In recognition of his efforts to raise awareness about the massacre through his music, particularly his 2007 hit track ‘Dem Mama,’ Timaya was honored with the chieftaincy title Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa.
He said, “It [Odi] was part of me, too, because my mum had a bakery in the village and was supplying the whole villages… It was the village that was attacked.
“It’s very touching because we lost lives, a lot of things and history. You know when the government just says ‘go and shoot these people down’.
“I sang about it [the massacre]. That is the most I can do. I told the story, how they sent the military to burn down the village. I narrated my story and it helped me to get an impact. I became the voice, which they gave me the title of the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa State. That is the mouthpiece of the people.”