… WARNS AGAINST UNNECESSARY ETHNIC DISHARMONY

By Our Correspondent

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide has condemned the attack on oil facilities in some parts of Delta State and the invasion of Ikpokpo, Saghara, Opuedebubo, Okpeleama and Tebujo, all Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State.

It said that during the invasion of the communities by security men, people suffered different degrees of injury and wanton destruction of properties.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, and made available to our correspondent in Warri, the IYC it is of the view that their people who are residents of the communities where oil facilities were attacked would be the eventual victims of these attacks and ultimately the already degraded Niger Delta ecosystem.

They therefore, called for cessation of attacks from whoever is responsible.

The statement reads: “The Ijaw people are not at war with the federal government. We call on the military to exercise restraint in their actions. There is no basis to attack innocent villagers especially when the Chief of Naval Staff has stated that the attacks were carried out by saboteurs and that the security agencies were on top of the situation.

“The IYC warn against further attacks on innocent Ijaw people and communities. Residents of communities close to where oil facilities are situated should not be made to suffer for attacks they know nothing about.

“The IYC also advise community leaders to refrain from fanning the embers of inter-ethnic crisis in Delta State. We frowned at statements alluding to the possibility of an Ijaw and Itsekiri crisis as a result of the attacks on oil facilities.

“While we strongly condemn the attacks on oil facilities, there is no basis for anybody to try to instigate a tribal war as a result. Politicians and Community should stop promoting inter-ethnic crisis because of political interest at the expense of the poor and innocent people who would suffer the effect of such crisis while they enjoy in the cities with their families.