IYC To Collaborate With Army In Curbing Insecurity, Drug Abuse, Others
By Rejoice Egbaseimokumor
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide is set to collaborate with the Nigerian Army and other military agencies in Nigeria to curb the menace of insecurity in the waterways, cultism and drug abuse in some part of the region. The Liberator Newspapers can report. 
The collaboration was made known to newsmen yesterday at Koko in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State during a visit by Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) delegation led by the deputy President of Council, Amb. Freedom Atigbi to the Commanding Officer (CO) 90 amphibious battalion Koko, Col. O . O Okedigba at his office.
The deputy President of Council, Comr. Freedom Atigbi had in his remark during the closed door meeting that lasted for hours noted that the collaboration between IYC and the battalion is very key, stressing that the collaboration will address to a large extent the menace of insecurity and drug abuse in the area.
Atigbi noted that the IYC led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri will continue to work closely with security agencies in the country, stressing that the 9th NEC will operate with all forms of decency and integrity in spreading the Gospel of peace across the region and Nigeria at large.
Speaking further, the deputy President of Council had also appealed to Okedigba to consider the Ijaws who always raise their hands whenever they get to any Army checkpoint in the area, stressing that such rule should be relaxed now that there is relative peace in the area.
In a swift reaction, Okedigba had lauded the IYC delegation, stressing that the Koko amphibious battalion under his leadership will be ready to collaborate with the IYC, adding that council is one of the most formidable Youth organisation in Nigeria and beyond.
He particularly requested that council should assist in Curbing Insecurity, Cultism, kidnapping, illegal bunkering and drug abuse in the region.
Addressing the press shortly after the meeting, Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill had asserted that the meeting is strategic.
Binebai explained that drug abuse, kidnapping and cultism is alien to the Ijaw people and not part of the Ijaw struggle for resource control.
Princewill particularly assured the Ijaw people that the Jonathan Lokpobiri led 9th NEC will do all within its powers in negotiating a better deal for its people.
The Spokesman of council maintained that security agencies in Nigeria and the IYC will continue to share a symbiotic relationship.
The Deputy President of Council, Comr. Freedom Atigbi and Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC ) Worldwide were flanked by the duo of Comr. Shagari Sobo and Fred Waresah.
