IYC condemns Delta pipeline attack, warns against military invasion of Gbaramatu

Ijaw Youth Council, the umbrella organization of Ijaw youths worldwide, has condemned the attack on oil and gas facilities in Warri area of Delta State.
The IYC said residents of the communities where oil facilities were attacked would be the eventual victims of these attacks and ultimately the already degraded Niger Delta ecosystem.
The IYC also condemned the alleged military invasion of Gbaramatu communities, urging the troops to exercise restraint as the Ijaw people are not at war with the Federal Government.
In a statement signed by IYC’s spokesman, Eric Omare, the group also warned against ethnic disharmony between the Ijaws and Itsekiris, alleging that some persons were trying to fan embers of discord between the two neighbouring ethnic groups over the situation in the region.
The statement said: “The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide condemn the attack on oil facilities in some parts of Delta State. The IYC is of the view that our people who are residents of the communities where oil facilities were attacked would be the eventual victims of these attacks and ultimately the already degraded Niger Delta ecosystem. We call for cessation of attacks from whoever is responsible.
“We also condemn the invasion of Ikpokpo, Saghara, Opuedebubo, Okpeleama and Tebujo, all Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State. People suffered different degrees of injury and wanton destruction of properties. The Ijaw people are not at war with the federal government. We call on the military to exercise restraint in their actions.
“There is no basis to attack innocent villagers especially when the Chief of Naval Staff has stated that the attacks were carried out by saboteurs and that the security agencies were on top of the situation.”
While warning against further attacks on innocent Ijaw people and communities, the IYC said that residents of communities close to where oil facilities are situated should not be made to suffer for attacks they know nothing about.
The IYC also advised community leaders to refrain from fanning the embers of inter-ethnic crisis in Delta State.
“We frown at statements alluding to the possibility of an Ijaw and Itsekiri crisis as a result of the attacks on oil facilities,” the group said.
It added: “While we strongly condemn the attacks on oil facilities, there is no basis for anybody to try to instigate a tribal war as a result. Politicians and Community should stop promoting inter-ethnic crisis because of political interest at the expense of the poor and innocent people who would suffer the effect of such crisis while they enjoy in the cities with their families.”