WARRI- Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) world-wide has decried that the Niger Delta Communities are under siege in the ongoing military operation in the Niger Delta code named, Operation Crocodile Smile 11.
IYC said that the Federal Government wants to invade all the peaceful Niger Delta communities, citing the recent unprovoked invasion of Ajakurama Community in Edo State is a manifestation of the military planned invasion of Ijaw communities in the riverine areas in the name of looking for militants’ camps.
IYC national President Barr, Oweilaemi Peretubo made this disclosure Saturday in a press statement made available to Daily Watch, said ‘‘IYC has it on good authority that several riverine Ijaw communities in Edo and Ondo States have been tipped for invasion by the military under the cover of Operation Crocodile Smile 11. Ijaw people are not at war with the Federal Government. The military should not instigate crisis in the region’’ he told Nigerian army.
Oweilaemi condemned in its entirety, the destruction of Ajakurama Community and the excuse the military gave in destroying the Community was unjustifiable. He told the military that there were no militants’ camps in Ajakurama Community and therefore the military is instigating the Ijaw people for unnecessary crisis.
He called on the military hierarchy to call their officers to order. ‘‘They are creating an unnecessary tension in the region. The present military offensive against the peaceful and defenceless communities in the Niger Delta region will spark off another crisis in the region’’
‘‘What we need in the Niger Delta is development. Instead of embarking on fruitless ventures in the name of military drill, the Government should use the money to fund developmental projects in the creeks. President Buhari should not let the military to derail the ongoing peace process in the region with its war of aggression against the riverine communities.’’ He added.
