The umbrella body for Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has
expressed doubt about the sincerity of the Federal Government to have a
genuine dialogue with the Niger Delta people.
The group, in a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, a lawyer, stated
this against the backdrop of reported invasion of some Ijaw communities in
Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State.
The IYC said that the Federal Government could not in one breath declare a
ceasefire and at the same time forcefully invade Niger Delta communities
allegedly looking for militants.
The group said, “In the early hours of Wednesday, June 15, 2016, military
men invaded Tebujor community in Gbaramatu with gunshots from both sides
of the community.
“The troops arrested six youths of the community, namely: Eddy Ikpidi,
Tekena Uka, Dboy Oboko, Jamaica Oboko, Coasta Tortor and Atani Yawuru on
the basis that they are suspected pipeline vandals.
“While we do not support sabotage of oil facilities considering the
negative effects on our environment, the IYC seriously condemns the
continuous invasion and harassment of Ijaw communities and innocent people
by the military under the guise of looking for pipeline vandals.
“The military has no reason to embark on continuous invasion of Ijaw
communities and arrest our people in the name of looking for members of
the Niger Delta Avengers or pipeline vandals. Our communities and people
are peaceful and law-abiding.”
It said the continuous invasion of Ijaw communities was a demonstration of
lack of sincerity on the part of the Federal Government to genuinely
engage in dialogue with the people of the region.