IPDI Condemns military brutality against old women, housewives, others in Bayelsa community

The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, has condemned the unprovoked military invasions and brutality against innocent old women, housewives and elders in Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State.

The group, in a statement by its national president Comrade, Ozobo Austin, said unskilled military personnel had turned the country to a banana republic, adding that there is no where in the constitution of the country supports punishing innocent citizens in place of culprits.

The statement reads, “There is no way old women, housewives and elders could be part of any known crime in the community, if there be any. The strategy of mass intimidation, harassment, suppression, brutal force in fighting crime in civilized society is a old fashion and only unlearned and uncultured military institutions that are still dangling in such unprofessional and provocative expedition.

“I have gathered that the community is peaceful and that a dethroned monarch brought the military to kill everyone in the community. If this is true, then the military is wrongly stationed there. Such issue is completely a civil matter which does not need military or police attention.

“It is my appeal to Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri to quickly wade into the military rascality and brutality against innocent citizens in the Igbomotoru community to avoid inciting discord in Niger Delta.

“I also call on the military commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Bayelsa state to withdraw his men from Igbomotoru community and put end to constant militarization in communities in Niger Delta.

“It is part of our demand that the military men who are responsible for this dastardly act be investigated and brought to book without further delay.”