IYC Clears Air, Disowns Purported News Of Attacking Military Facilities

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has debunked and rejected news making round that the IYC under President Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr is making plans to attack military locations and facilities across the Niger Delta region, describing the report as fake and evil.

The IYC in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Warri earlier today by Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide.

The statement reads in full below :

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide

Press Statement

24/03/2024

Ongoing Military Operations In Niger Delta: IYC Clears Air, Warns Mischief Makers, Task Nigerians On Credible Reportage

The attention of the highly revered Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has been drawn to a maliciously written and circulating publication that the IYC under the firm leadership of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr is planning a coordinated attack on military facilities and locations across the Niger Delta region. To us, this is not only false but a lie emanating from the pit of hell, this is an evil taken too far by mischief makers and enemies of the region and Ijaw nation.

Council would have ignored the said publication but for the times we are in, it is very key and important that we clear the Nigerian Military that the IYC has no issue with the military not to talk of attacking them.
However, the Ijaw Youth Council had openly via a press statement signed by the Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill on Monday 18th of March 2024 condemned in strong terms and its entirety the killing of 17 Soldiers on a peace mission to Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday 14th of March 2024, hence we are wondering on where this misleading information is coming from.

The IYC press statement condemning the killing of Soldiers was widely publiblicised by almost all national dailies and credible online news outlets across the country stating the position of the Ijaw Youth Council on the matter.

Council also urged the military to go after only criminal elements and not let innocent people pay for a sin they did not commit by ensuring that they do not go beyond the rules of engagement.

This position was further amplified by the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr who granted a live interview on Arise News wherein he condemned the barbaric attack on the military officers.

The said statement emanating from Officers and Cadets Worldwide on

Facebook lite reads below:

“In response to the ongoing Military operations going on in the Niger Delta, Intelligence report indicates that youths under the guise and command of Ijaw Youth Council headed by Mr. Jonathan Lokpobiri are planning coordinated attacks on military locations and facilities across the Niger Delta region. We therefore call on units which area of responsibility falls within this areas specifically 146 Battalion, 29 Battalion, 130 Battalion and pathfinder to be vigilant and combat ready and give them (Wotowoto) to anyone or group of persons who decides to attack their locations.
“God bless Nigerian Army
God bless Nigerian Navy
God bless Nigerian Airforce
God bless Nigeria”.

For the sake of emphasis, the Ijaw Youth Council is warning mischief makers to keep clear from the IYC as we are tasking Nigerians to disseminate only true and credible information to the public.

In setting the records straight, the IYC has a communication channel that is used in passing information for the Ijaw Youths Across the World and to Nigerians in general. It is the President of Council and the Spokesman that convey the message of the Ijaw people to the general populace.

We are warning that nobody or group of persons should credit whatever anybody says to our highly revered and reputable Ijaw Youth Council as our positions regarding any issue is always made public and not based on unverifiable information.

What happened at Okuama on Thursday 14th of March 2024 that saw the killing of Soldiers has been condemned and remained condemned. The IYC has also tasked the military to strictly adhere to professionalism and the rules of engagement as there have been reported cases of massacre in Ijaw communities including the killing of innocent people.

Signed
Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill
Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.