IYC Eastern zone condemns killing of innocent Ijaw youth by pirates in Rivers

• Decries military invasion of the Bile community

By Timi Black

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Eastern Zone has condemned what it described as the barbaric killing of an Ijaw youth by suspected pirates gang in Bile sea routes in Rivers State on Saturday.

This was made known to Congress correspondents in a statement by its Eastern zone chairman, Hon. Tamuno Kpokpo Chairman, IYC Eastern Zone on Monday.

It was gathered that the pirates who disguise in military uniform stormed the commercial boat the deceased was traveling with and murdered him in cool blood.

IYC in a statement lamented, “Mr. Pepekale Igani lying lifeless, an Ijaw son from Bile kingdom, a peaceful gentleman and a responsible family man, who was brutally murdered in cold blood on his way to Bile Town from PortHarcourt in a passenger boat.”

The aggrieved Ijaw youths called on the Inspector General of Police, the DSS, the Nigeria Army, and all Security agencies to use their professional expertise to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

IYC stressed: “Security agencies should swing into action within the shortest possible time, else we shall be compelled to take our fate in our hands by protecting our sons and daughters from Ijaw extraction going about the waterways in search of their livelihood.

“Again information reaching us that the military invaded the Bile community, thereby disrupting the peace of the people.

“We want to inform the public that the people of the Ancient Bile Kingdom are peace-loving people, the community is not in war, they are not carriers of arms, and generally law-abiding citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“On that note we condemn the action exhibited by the military, invading the peaceful community with their military might.

“We, therefore urge the military to protect lives and properties of the good people, especially as we mourn this inimical and irreplaceable loss in our land.

“If this invasion persists, we the Ijaw youth council will have no choice but to shut down all oil wells and companies’ operations within the region as proof of our unification and solidarity.

“We hope this publication shall meet the various security agencies’ attention and further prompt action.” The group said.