Ijaw Youths
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday condemned the military invasion and occupation of some communities in Ekeremor Local Council of Bayelsa State.The military men were said to be searching for the militants who killed two soldiers during an attack on a military checkpoint in Delta State.
Speaking in Yenagoa, the newly-elected Chairman of the Western Zone of the IYC, Mr. Tare Porri, said while he regrets the action of the hoodlums and sympathises with the Nigerian military and the family of the slain soldiers, condemned the way the military men took the laws into their hands.
It was gathered that in Bomadi Local Council headquarters, security and military personnel were unleashing terror on the people of the town in what onlookers described as transferred aggression.
Some innocent indigenes were being treated to floggings by the soldiers, who placed the town under curfew.Porri, who said the actions of the soldiers were capable of escalating the crisis and impeding the peace process in the region, stressed: “While we are condemning the act in its entirety, that does not mean that the military should also take the laws into their hands by invading our communities.
“As we are talking, almost about five communities in Ekeremor Local Council have been invaded by the military. What we are saying is that this action will sincerely cause a serious crisis that can get out of control.
“So, in a nutshell, while we are condemning the action of those persons that perpetuated this evil, we are saying that the action and inaction of the Nigerian military going from community to community molesting women and children is condemnable.
“And as I speak with you, most of the communities are being sacked by these military men. Some of our women are in the bush hiding. Some have moved out of their communities.”
The IYC chairperson, therefore, appealed to the Chief of Army Staff and the Commandant of the Operation Delta Safe, to call his men to retreat and stop the invasion of more communities.
He said the IYC was ready to assist the military authorities to fish out the bad eggs in the communities.“We are calling on the Commandant to call his men to retreat because what is happening in our local council is like we are under military siege. We are begging and appealing to him to use his good office to intervene in this matter before it gets out of hand,” he added.
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