Ijaw Group Warn Nigerian Army, Not To Take Side On Intertribal Conflict

The Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI has warned the Nigerian Army not to take side but be neutral on the Intertribal Conflict between the Binis and Gelegelegbene community in Olodiama Kingdom, Edo State.

In a statement made available to a WhatsApp Platform and jointly signed by it’s National President Comrade (Prince) Ozobo Austin and Spokesman Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, IPDI said they were told by a reliable source that the services of 4th and 19th Brigades of the Nigerian Army has been hired by the Binis with the aim of illegally invading their community to enforce an unsubstantiated supreme court judgement.

Comrade (Prince) Ozobo, National President, IPDI, said The Army lack power to enforce any civil law on any Community therefore should deviate from being used as a tool of violence, intimidation and harassment of innocent people.

“It’s a known and an established fact that Gelegelegbene community is not founded in Bini land and no supreme court has overturn our traditional rights as Ijaws in Edo State. IPDI said.

The group has therefore advised the Army to stay clear from civil matters and not try to treat the Olodiama Ijaws in Gelegelegbene community as a deterred people by conniving with the Binis. Because Ijawnation is not cheap for such unfounded and unguided invasions.

IPDI also went on to remind the Army that it has no right to delve into a conflict between tribes, in a democratic society.

Hence, waned the Nigerian Army to desist from trying to cow the people of Olodiama Kingdom and be professional enough to know it limit of power.

“We are equally informed that the commander of the 4th battalion is a Bini man, and now the Binis believe he should be used to perfect their evil plans”. The group said.

The army commander should know his rules of engagement and should not take any law into his hands.

IPDI, therefore call on the chief of army staff ,Gen. Buratai to call to order, commanders of the 4th and 19th Brigades to avoid instigation of violence in Edo State.

“The attention of Ijaw nation has been drawn to an attempt to invade Gelegelegbene community in Olodiama kingdom, Edo state by the Binis using the Nigerian Army on unsubstantiated reasons”. IPDI said.

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