Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
The umbrella body of the Ijaw youth worldwide, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), has condemned and described as reckless, disrespectful and huge insult to the Ijaw nation the invasion on the Kiagbodo country home residence of Pa. Edwin Clark in Delta State by Nigerian soldiers last Saturday.
The IYC in a strongly worded statement vowed to hold the Nigerian military responsible if anything happens to the 97-year-old Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, reminding the military that Nigeria is not a banana republic where people do things the way they want but must obey democratic principles and operate within the ambit of the law.
The statement signed by its spokesman, Binebia Princewill, tasked the military to work strictly with intelligence and not to go out of the rules of engagements.
The statement said: “We are in a democratic era and not a purely military regime. The invasion and destruction of properties at Pa Clark’s house in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State last Saturday is a huge insult on the Ijaw people, and is highly condemnable.
While the Ijaw Youth Council has been patriotic to the Nigerian military and the federal government by condemning the attack that resulted in the unfortunate killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14, on the other hand the Ijaw nation is now thrown into deep mourning as over 70 persons have been killed under the guise of tracking those who carried out the dastardly act. That the over 70 persons killed so far are all connected to the Okuama attack is what no one can verify at the moment.
“We don’t want to believe that the Nigerian military is embarking on ethnic cleansing of the Ijaws in Nigeria. The military must not forget that during the attack that resulted to the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, an Ijaw son who was with the military on the peace mission was also killed even though his death has been underreported. In essence, the Ijaw nation has been on the losing end on this ugly development that have plagued the Niger Delta region in the last few weeks.
“On account of the ambush, Igbomotoro and Peremabiri communities in Bayelsa State have been invaded and people have been killed and roasted in large numbers like chickens.
“We are yet to know the offence he has committed against the Nigerian Government and military that will lead to this kind of attack on his house. This is not only embarrassing to the personality of Pa Clark but the highest level of disrespect
