A powerful group in the Niger Delta region known as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide disclosed on Monday that the attack on the residence on the residence of a former president of the group, Alhaji Muhajid Asari Dokubo is an act of war.
In a press release by Barrister Oweilaemi Pereotubo,the council’s National president disclosed that the actions taken by the military is a declaration of war stating further that as a tribe with equal rights together with all Nigerians they won’t fold their hands watch their people being killed.
Oweilaemi said the “unprovoked, unnecessary and illegal arrest of our leader will not be accepted by the Ijaw people.”
IYC therefore called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Nigerian Army to order and restore a civil administration of justice as clearly enshrined in the constitution.
“Only a few days ago, the residence of King Ateke Tom in Okuchiri, in Okrika local Government area was invaded and one shot dead with several injured and properties destroyed.\
“Within the period of these elections Ijaw people have lost over fifty people and everyone of it has been caused directly or indirectly by the cheer desperation of the All Progressive congress led Government,” the statement reads.
IYC added that as a peace- loving people they have orchestrated and accepted the proclamation of the Amnesty programs as a means and vehicle towards the cessation of arms conflict and violence to enable the region have its fair share of aggressive government attention.
The group added at the same time the amnesty has given the federal government the avenue to deal with the age long issues of deprivation marginalisation and underdevelopment which has led to the relative peace enjoyed in the region.
“However let it be on record that if anything happens to Alhaji Muhajid Asari Dokubo, the Ijaw Nation will take steps that will not be convenient to the Nigerian Nation.
“We have bled too much to keep the unity of this Nation. Enough is enough.
“We want to use this medium to inform the Nigeria people and the international community that the peace of our region is being destroyed and the implications will be grave.
“Rivers is not at war and we wonder why the militarisation especially when the North East is ravaged by the non- stop effects of the deadly terrorise group Boko Haram and the military is comfortable here and not in such areas of gross necessity.
“We looked patiently to the resolution of his unethical action of the Nigeria Military by the President and commander in chief of the federal republic of Nigeria,” the group stated.
Prominent Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo, has claimed his life is no longer safe and that he and his family members are living in fear.
The 54-year-old Dokubo raised the alarm after soldiers allegedly invaded his home on Monday morning in Obuama community in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It will be recalled that the prominent Niger Delta agitator claimed that there is a threat to his life and that of his family member and he is no longer safe he raised this alarm when armed soldiers invaded his country home located in Obuama community in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State
He said though he would not flee his house, he feared there could be more visits by soldiers.
Speaking with our correspondent during a telephone interview on Monday afternoon, the former militant leader said the soldiers searched the entire premises, including cars parked within the compound, before taking away two of his cousins.
He said, “My life and that of my family members are no longer safe. Over 200 soldiers invaded my home on Monday morning and held us hostage for more than two hours.
“They searched the entire building and all the cars parked within the compound. When I asked them what the problem was, their leader told me they were acting on orders from above.
“The disturbing aspect of the whole thing is that they didn’t even inform the army personnel securing the community before coming in to carry out their operation. So when they arrived, those ones were also confused, they didn’t know what to do.”
He added, “After holding us hostage for more than two hours and failing to find anything incriminating, they took away two of my male cousins. As we speak, I have yet to know where they took them to.”
When asked if the invasion had anything to do with Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state, Dokubo answered in the affirmative, saying those bent on throwing the state into crisis were behind the attack on him.
He said, “Definitely, the invasion of my home by the army has everything to do with Saturday’s election in Rivers State.
SOURCE: THE NATION,PUNCH
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