NDPC-USA Demands FG To Restore Peace In Delta, Bayalsa State

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The Niger Delta People’s Congress in the United States of America, NDPC-USA, yesterday demanded that the Federal Government should restore peace in Bayelsa and Delta communities in igbomutoru and Okuama.

According to a press statement signed by the president, NDPC-USA, Bishop Samson Amajene on 31st March 2024, said the actions of the perpetrators were vehemently condemned over the brutal killing of a lieutenant Colonel, 2 Majors, 1 Captain and 13 soldiers of the Nigerian Army attached to 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State as a result of communal clash over land dispute in the Okuama community.

The president of group noted that the ‘gallant officers met their untimely deaths while responding to a distress call during a communal crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State, on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

He also stated that, on behalf of NDPC, he condoled with the families of the slain officers and soldiers, including innocent lives that were lost over the brutal reprisal attacks by the Nigerian army and added that the killings were unfortunate and unusual to the culture of the Niger Delta region.

“These were troops committed to safeguard lives and properties of citizens and as such, were not deserve to be killed by the same people they were met to protect.

“We therefore, call on the Federal Government, Bayelsa and Delta State governments administer peace in the affected states to as a matter of urgency, do the needful to restore peace and order in the communities.

“We advised that the military should allow journalists to investigate and unearth what led to this dastardly act in Okuama community, as well set up an independent panel of inquiries to investigate the true cause of this barbaric act in Okuama.”

Meanwhile, the group also called for state policing as a panacea to this protracted issues of insecurity, “It is believed that with the existence of State police in the various states of the country will help to confront the rising insecurity in the country as well negate the overwhelming imposition of federal might on the states by authorities of government and other agencies in the state.

“So we demand that the federal government as well the National Assembly put the interest of the people first by passing the State policing law, irrespective of who wants it or not to curb or drastically ease the high spate of insecurity confronting the country”.

“We also demand as a matter of urgency that the federal and state governments should think outside the box by creating job opportunities to engage the vibrant youths, so that they will be gainfully employed to earn their daily living and keep away from unscrupulous vices.

“We also demand that the Federal Government of Nigeria should considers the high cost of living and increase police salaries, so that they are not easily bought over by those purporting to do more harm than good in the country.

“We are also calling that joint efforts from the military and other security agencies should come together to bring the killers of the 17 soldiers to book, and as well the military should cease fire from further killing of innocent citizens, most especially the vulnerable groups and apply the rule of engagement when carrying out their duties”.