Yenagoa, March 20, 2024 – The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Wednesday alleged that 40 members of Igbomotoru 2, an Ijaw Community in Bayelsa State, were killed by soldiers on March 17 in reprisal attacks against the killing of 18 soldiers in Okuama in Delta State.
Alaye Theophilus, the President of IYC, made the allegation in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the killing of soldiers did not happen in an Ijaw land and had nothing to do with the Ijaws.
Alaye also said Igbomotoru 2 community is not in Delta State to warrant the attack by troops.
He said the IYC had commenced an investigation and set up fact-finding team to support the military and other security agencies to get to the root cause of the matter and help bring the killers to face the law.
“We, as a council, condemn in its totality the killing of military personnel on official peacekeeping assignment at Okuama Community in Delta State,” Theophilus stressed.
“This incident is devilish and inhuman and therefore, no sane minded person can support such an act in any guise.”
“As we speak, the fears of our people have shown up again as the said Okuama Community has been completely burnt down and all the occupants made homeless, and are now refugees in neighbouring communities.
“We will also draw your attention to the onslaught going on in one of our Ijaw communities in Bayelsa State, Igbomotoru 2 in Bomo-Ibe Clan where the Nigeria military evaded the community at early hours of Sunday 17th March, 2024.
“They opened fire on innocent men, women and children. They killed over 40 people and still counting, without any form of provocation.
“As a council, we condemn what the military is doing in Igbomotoru 2 community.
“What is happening in this community is purely a humanitarian crisis. As we speak, they have held every member of the community hostage as there is no entry or exit to the community. People are now starving to death.”
The IYC implored President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff to call the military to order. (GBN)
