By Amos Okioma (Bayelsa)
The National Executives of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has expressed its displeasure over the continuous mass killings of innocent Nigerians across the country by Fulani herdsmen and in particular, in Southern Kaduna, Taraba and Benue States.
The group said it is disheartening to see that while the lives of women and children were lost daily, the Federal Government is busy playing politics with security.
Its position was contained in a statement signed by IYC Spokesperson, Henry Iyalla.
Said the statement: “This double standard of the Federal Government in addressing the issues of security in the country must stop and the Federal Government should leave up to its responsibility in ensuring the protection of lives and properties of its citizens no matter the region and which group is involved.
“Also, the recent mass murder in Omoku in Ogba / Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area by suspected cult members who are not strangers to the State Government, the incessant killings in Andoni Local Government Area and Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area: including various acts of killings in Rivers State, leaves no one in doubt that the government has failed in their primary duty of protecting the lives and properties of its citizens; focusing and showing more interest in the upcoming general elections than the safety of the lives of Nigerians.”
The group said the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Governor of Rivers State have no business in the blame game or playing politics with the blood of innocent Nigerians whose lives they have sworn to protect.
“We state unequivocally that every attack or killing of innocent citizens diminishes the credibility and integrity of these administrations.”
“We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to confront the issues of killings by Fulani herdsmen militants with utmost seriousness; and urge the State Governors and all stakeholders to see as urgent, the need for securing the lives and properties of all citizens anywhere in the Country,” the statement said.
