The Ijaws in Ondo State are not at war with our Ilaje Neighbors – Arogbo Ijaw Youth

An Ijaw pressure group known as The Arogbo Ijaw Youth Network (AIYN) has vehemently condemn in strong term the illicite and unwarranted Killing of Innocent and Law abiding Ilaje citizens in Twon-Brass area of Bayelsa state by persons suspected to be sea pirates.

The group in a statement sent to NAIJA LIVE TV and Signed by it’s Nationals Coordinator, Comrade Fiyebo G Eperetei and National Secretary, Comrade Samson Ajagbini urge the Bayelsa state Government to put in place an investigative parameters as a matter of urgency, in order to unearth and bring to book the culprits of this dastardly act

The Statement read;
“We, the national body of Arogbo Ijaw Youth Network (AIYN), vehemently condemn, first and Foremost the illicite and unwarranted Killing of Innocent and Law abiding Ilaje citizens in Twon-Brass area of Bayelsa state by persons suspected to be sea pirates.”

“Secondly, we wholeheartedly sympathize with our ILaje neighbours, most especially the deceased families and the entire ILaje Nation in Ondo State”

“However, we urge the Bayelsa state Government to put in place investigative parameters as a matter of urgency, in order to unearth and bring to book the culprits of this dastardly act.”

“We also call on the Nigerian Navy and Police Force to double and intensify their efforts in safeguarding the nocks and crannies of the Niger Delta Area. They should fish these sea pirates tormenting people that are going about their legal businesses, but not only focused on collecting bribe from oil dealers in the region.”

“The Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and Police Force should not jettison their primary and constitutional duties of protecting lives and property of citizens in the volatile Niger Delta, while chasing oil dealers in the region.”

“We want to state without mincing words that these unholy occurrences are becoming horrendous in our region and are capable of provoking ethnic crisis between Neighbouring ethnic Nationalities, because security agencies are abandoning their primary responsibilities.”

“Having said that, though we, (AIYN) and any other person has not confirmed the whereabouts of those sea pirates or where they are from, we also urge the Ondo state Government to laise with her Bayelsa state counterpart to assideousely and harmoniously work together to facilitate the arrest of whosoever that is involved in this evil act, should they be found in the river-rine area of Ondo state, as they may decide to escape through any river route, including the state in which Ijaws and Ilajes are close neighbours.”

“Nevertheless, it is very sad and inappropriate for the ILaje Leadership Forum, (Citizens Security Council), in a Press statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Emorioloye Owolemi to jump into conclusion that the sea pirates are Ijaws from Arogbo Kingdom, and even went further to make statements that can incite his ILaje people to delve into crises against the innocent Ijaws in ondo State.”

“Until security agents confirm arrests and identify their community(s) no one can say they hail from a particular state.”

“On that note, AIYN is sincerely advising that the ILaje Leadership Forum retract and stop their incitive commentaries, and look towards the way of a continuous peaceful co-existence between the Ilajes and Arogbos in Ondo State.”

“Having said that, the leadership of (AIYN), is using this medium to commend Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) for his prompt intervention, by standing for the Truth and correcting the Ilaje Leadership Forum, making them understand that the incident in Bayelsa is as a result of the level of insecurity in the waterways of that State.”

“Therefore, Prince Owolomi’s hasty inciting comments which can led to an uncontrollable crisis between the Arogbo-Ijaws and Ilajes, are totally unnecessary and uncalled for.”

“Consequently, we are also categorically saying that sea pirates are friends to no one, and that the acts of sea piracy also affects everybody adversely irrespective of tribes any time the perpetrator of the inimical act carried out their evil activities. So, let us unanimously condemn this evil act. The Ijaws in Arogbo cannot afford crises with our Ilaje- counterparts again in Ondo state, because there is no benefit of fighting each other, rather than retrogression and under-development.”

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