Muteness of Ijaw political leaders, traditional rulers reasons for our incessant military invasions – IPDI | The Liberator

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By Binebai Princewill

A leading socio-cultural organization, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI has accused Ijaw political leaders and traditional rulers as being the reasons for the incessant military invasions in Ijaw communities within Nigeria.

The revered Niger Delta group made the accusation earlier today via a statement issued to newsmen in Warri, signed by its national president, Comr. Austin Ozobo, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspaper.

The group while condemning the invasion and burning of Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, insisted that the political leaders and traditional rulers in the Ekeremor were afraid to speak out that was why military invasions and burning of Ijaw communities were at its increase, adding that the story is same in almost all other Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta region.

Addressing the press, the national president of the group, Comr. Ozobo Austin added, “We were taken aback by another unsavory military invasion of Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa state where over 15 houses were burnt down, when we are yet to be resuscitated from the shock of the burning and high level of destruction in Bilabiri community orchestrated by Nigerian soldiers”

He stressed “Our political leaders and traditional rulers in Ekeremor have failed. Their incompetency is what is giving the Military a privilege to burn our COMMMUNITIES everyday. Their inability to speak out and engage the military authorities are the reasons why the military still have the imputus today to invade and burn our communities”

“In as much as we do not support the killing of innocent soldiers on national assignments, we equally frown at the military invasions and burning of peace loving Ijaw communities because of one criminal activities in the area. We have emphasized severally that the military should be professional in their activities. Burning of people’s abode in every slightested provocation is evil and criminal”

“We learnt that over 15 houses has been razed and other households were destroyed. Residents scamper for safety. A lot of children and adults are still missing. We are disappointed at the military lawlessness. Despite the Boko Haram menace in the North East Communities ,no one community has been burnt down. The military is sectional in this country. We are disappointed”

“The military activities have posed a big threat to our existence as a people. We call on all well meaning Ijaw leaders to condemn this barbaric activities. We want the burnt houses rebuilt and other properties destroyed compensated”

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