IYC alleges soldiers killed 40 people, urges Tinubu to call military to order
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has alleged collateral damage in the military reprisals in Okuama in Delta, with soldiers having invaded Igbomotoru 2 in neigbouring Bayelsa and killed 40 people on March 17.
IYC President Alaye Theophilus, who made the allegation, condemned the killing of military personnel in Okuama but insisted that community is not in Bayelsa to warrant attacking Igbomotoru 2 residents by troops.
Theophilus issued a statement on Wednesday in which he emphasised the killing of soldiers did not happen in an Ijaw land and had nothing to do with the Ijaws.
He disclosed the IYC has set up an investigation and fact-finding team to support the military and other security agencies in order 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.”
Military blockade, community deserted
Theophilus said the IYC as the largest ethnic bloc in the Niger Delta is concerned about the stability and business-friendly environment of the oil region, and “whatever that happens in any part of the region is of serious concern to us.”
“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.
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