Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), on Monday, criticised and condemned the brutal killing of soldiers on a peace mission to Okuoma, an Urhobo Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The position is contained in a statement jointly signed in Yenagoa on Monday by the council’s President, Mr Jonathan Lokpobiri, and its spokesman, Amb. Binebai Princewill.
According to the statement, it is very unfortunate that people will have the impetus to invade and attack soldiers on a peace mission to resolve the lingering communal battle between the people of Okuama and Okoloba communities in Bomadi LGA.
The statement reads, “The IYC is well aware of the indispensable role played by the military and other security agencies in the country.
“That the country is peaceful today is all thanks to them who have been fighting to ensure our peaceful coexistence as a nation.
“As Council, we are calling on the military top hierarchy to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter with a view of bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
“This is an evil that must not be swept under the carpet as bringing the culprits to book will serve as a deterrent to others.
“However, we are using this medium to call on His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State to quickly resolve whatever differences the people of Okuama and Okoloba are having now before it degenerates to something else,” the statement said.
They said that the government must not appear to be too relaxed in tackling communal clashes, as there is nothing more disturbing than this news at the moment.
“The Government must swing into action now. We have lost too many precious lives in this battle already as we cannot afford to lose anyone going further.
“The Ijaws and Urhobos are one united big family, whatever is affecting the Ijaw is also affecting the Urhobo. Most Ijaw people are traceable to Urhobo likewise the Urhobos as well. We are fighting over nothing.
“Peace is indeed priceless, we must continue to learn how to tolerate ourselves and live peacefully together. What binds us together as brothers is greater than what divides us as a people.
“Nevertheless, the IYC has also received a lot of distress calls from our people in various communities that the military has been burning down houses for which many innocent lives have been lost.
“Council is reiterating that while we will not cover up any evil, we are calling on the military to work strictly with intelligence and not to bring down entire community under the guise of looking for criminals.
“The innocent must not pay for crimes they did not commit. We are urging the military to go after those behind the act with a view of bringing them to face the law.
“The IYC is using this forum to sympathise with the families of our gallant 16 soldiers who lost their lives in the deadly ambush carried out by the criminal elements. We seek justice for the slain soldiers,” the statement read.