Militants
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Friday,
condemned the rising insecurity in the Niger Delta and loss of lives on
the part of military and civilians.
condemned the rising insecurity in the Niger Delta and loss of lives on
the part of military and civilians.
Spokesman for IYC, Eric Omare,
made the condemnation in a statement released in Yenagoa on Friday. It
said that insecurity in the region was getting out of control.
made the condemnation in a statement released in Yenagoa on Friday. It
said that insecurity in the region was getting out of control.
The group urged President Muhammadu Buhari to personally take over the Niger Delta peace process to ensure a rapid return of peace.
“IYC notes attacks and killing of
soldiers and civilians working in houseboats and attacks on oil
facilities in Ogbeinbiri, Bayelsa State and Forcados export line,
Delta. These are condemnable and regrettable.
The civilians killed at the houseboat were mainly Ijaw youths including Tombra David Iwoubebi and Anita Demedongha from Odimodi Community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.
We in strong words condemn this senseless killing of soldiers and civilians that were working in the houseboat.
We condemn this act of wickedness which would only complicate an already delicate security situation.
We call for a bi-partisan stakeholders’ effort to bring the fast deteriorating security situation under control.
The IYC is of the view that to make
the process effective and produce the required result, President Buhari
must personally take charge and provide leadership,” it said.
The statement stressed that the situation required the direct intervention of President Buhari.
It added that the events of the last few days had clearly shown that
those mandated to lead the peace process have failed to produce the
desired result.
It added that the events of the last few days had clearly shown that
those mandated to lead the peace process have failed to produce the
desired result.
The youth group also called on the
governors of the Niger Delta states to collaborate and galvanise
stakeholders in the region to quickly start the process to return peace
to the Niger Delta.
governors of the Niger Delta states to collaborate and galvanise
stakeholders in the region to quickly start the process to return peace
to the Niger Delta.
It called on political leaders to rise
above party and political affiliation to save the Niger Delta as well as
the Nigerian economy from total collapse.
above party and political affiliation to save the Niger Delta as well as
the Nigerian economy from total collapse.
“The events that are happening in the region pose serious economic, environmental and security challenges to the entire nation.
On the part of the IYC, we reiterate
our readiness to work with relevant stakeholders to return peace to the
Niger Delta while at the same time addressing issues affecting the
region.
The IYC also passionately call on
the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups and individuals to
give peace a chance. Violence has never solved problems anywhere in the
world.
The federal, state governments and
stakeholders in the Niger Delta should be given the opportunity to look
at the issues at stake.
We strongly feel that the continuous
bombing of oil facilities and killings is not in the interest of the
Niger Delta and people.
Aggrieved groups must give peace a chance,” it added.
