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Ijaw Group, IPDI Berates Political, Traditional Leaders Over Repeated Military Invasions 

The Ijaw right group, Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI yesterday berated Political and traditional rulers in the Niger Delta for being silent in the face of persistent attacks on Ijaw communities  by military personnel.

The National Coordinator of IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, in a statement on Wednesday lapooned political and traditional leaders in Ekeremor are solely to be blamed for staying silent over the recent invasion and burning of communities.

This came as Ozobo reacts to the military invasion and razing of Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Lamenting that From July 2019 to February 2020, four different communities have been invaded and burnt by the Joint Task Force, JTF.

He explained that leaders in the area were too scared to speak against the unguided activities of the military.

“We are taken aback by another unsavory military invasion of Letugbene community in Ekeremo LGA, Bayelsa state, where over 15 houses were razed from top to bottom while we are yet to recover from the shock of the invasion and high level of destruction orchestrated by the military in Bilabiri 1 and Bilabiri 2 communities”

He stressed that “Our political and traditionalist rulers in Ekeremo LGA have failed. Their incompetence is what giving the Military a privilege to burn our communities every day. Their inability to speak out and engage the military authorities are the reasons why the military still have the daredevil today to invade and burn our communities”

“In as much 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 crimimal 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 crimimal”

“We learnt 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 lives in North East Communities ,no one community has been burnt down. The military is sectional in this country. We are disappointed”

“The military activities are 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”