The Ijaw Youth Council in Western Zone has threatened to institute war crime charges against the Nigerian navy over an alleged invasion of Ogbe-Ijoh community by its personnel.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that naval officers reportedly invaded the community on Thursday following a renewal of hostilities between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities.
Reacting to the development, the apex Ijaw youth body described the move by the military to take over the community as an attempt to ‘favour’ the opposition.
In a statement signed by Dr. (Comrade) Doubra Collins Okotete – Chairman, Comrade Olu Derimo – Secretary, Lugard Izoukumor – Information Officer, the IYC urged the officers to stop the ‘militarisation’ of the Ogbe-Ijoh people or face war crime charges.
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The statement titled ‘OGBE-IJOH: IYC Condemns Nigeria’s Navy Invasion on Igbe-Ijoh Community, Warri South LGA, Delta State,’ reads in full;
“The leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone attention has been drawn to the military siege going on in Ogbe-Ijoh Community by the Nigerian navy.
“This is despicable and indeed unprofessional with a clear act of favoritism which we believe is a war against the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and Ijaw nation at large.
“We therefore vehemently condemn this siege and urge the Nigerian navy to forthwith desist from this evil and despicable act against our people.
“It is on record that Ogbe-Ijoh and Ijaw people in general are peace lovers and, it is therefore very barbaric to profile the people of Ogbe-Ijoh as a violence Community resulting to the military siege going on.
“Furthermore, we call on the Delta State Government led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency coven a security summit that will fine tune and proffer lasting solutions to this heinous crisis.
“Ijaw people are peace lovers, and we cannot allow this vicious act of military invasion in any Ijaw Communities to continue. It is therefore the responsibility for the Government of the day to show leadership and the security architecture (the navy) to be impartial.
“We cannot condone this outright favoritism from the military and their despicable actions against our old parents and children who are indeed in the forest running for their lives, their safety and the protection of their children’s lives and properties.
“If the government and the military fail to do the needful we will institute a case of war crime in the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the military for this broad day injustice and result to self help in order to defend our people from being killed.
“As we speak our team is working for the legal proceedings with partners of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against this barbaric injustice melted on our people.
“We therefore call on the Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency stop the militarization of Ogbe-Ijoh Community.
“Meanwhile, we the Zonal leadership believes development cannot be achieved in an area that is characterized by war and conflicts. In other words, there can never be sustainable development in a crisis prone environment.
‘It is on this note we also advise both Communities to refrain from anything that will further aggravate this crisis and chaos, rather both Communities must promote and foster peace. Peace is priceless and sacrificial.
“But the Governor, H.E Sheriff must show commitment and exercise the political will in ensuring lasting solution is reached, while the military must also stop the militarization of Ogbe-Ijoh Community for our people to enjoy peace and go about their daily routines.”
