The President of Ijaw Youths Congress, IYC, Worldwide, Jonathan Lokpobiri, has called for an immediate probe into the alleged killings of indigenes of Igbomotoru community by the military over the death of some of its officers and men in Delta State recently.
Lokpobiri demanded justice for the Igbomotoru people over the reprisal attack carried out by the military in the community, describing it as double jeopardy for the Ijaw people.
Lokpobiri made the call on Monday in Yenagoa while briefing Arogidigba Global Journal on the Okuama crisis in Delta State, which has now snowballed into an attack on the Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa State by military men.
Arogidigba Global Journal reported that troops of the Nigerian Army in five gunboats reportedly invaded the community, razing houses and allegedly killing indigenes, following the killing of soldiers and officers at Okuama community in Delta State.
The IYC President said, ” The killing in Delta is not just sensitive but a big issue and a very sad and ugly development in the history of our region.
”What has happened in Delta State as sad as it is, we weren’t expecting that we would bear the greatest brunt of the conflict. Where a whole community is sacked and bodies of our young men and women are littered on the streets of Igbomotoru community and also floating on the river Nun.
”If independent investigations reveal that people from that community did not play a role in the death of the military officers and men, and based on just information without proper investigations and reprisal attack on our communities leading to the death of dozens of persons and destruction of properties worth of hundreds of naira, we will sue the federal government, so that adequate compensation can be paid to the community people.
”I demand a probe into the invasion of Igbomotoru community, the reason being that in Niger Delta, we have seen cases where people are accused of various crimes they know nothing about, whilst am not disproving the evidence that may be available to the military, I demand some strong level of deep investigation into the scenario.
”I believe that leaders of the country and the state should conduct a certain level of independent investigation to know what has led to the killing and sacking of a whole community.
”I learnt that many of our people who were escaping into the forest were hit by bullets because they were indiscriminately shooting at anyone at sight. We can’t adopt this method in resolving disputes.
”I will request for a probe into the killings in Bayelsa. An admonition to communities not to tolerate people who are outlaws living in the community because it could pose danger for peace and security in the community”.