Okuama killings: 20 youths killed in Bayelsa community
...Era of militancy over; it's time for intellectual engagement - Gov. Diri
Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has confirmed that about 20 youths were killed in Igbomotoru 2 community during the soldiers invasion.
Governor Douye Diri has also called on those still hiding in the thick forest following the soldiers’ invasion to come out and go about their lawful businesses as the Army has promised not to touch them again.
Recall that soldiers had invaded and killed several youths in Igbomotoru community following the brutal killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Ugheli Local Government Area of Delta State.
Since then, several community dwellers had ran into the thick forests to hide themselves against the military bullets.
The invasion was in search of suspected killers of the Army personnel at Okuama.
Governor Diri, who spoke when he addressed a cross section of community leaders and youths in Igbomotoru town hall, on Tuesday, during his visit to the community.
“A minute silence was observed in honour of the slain soldiers and about 20 youths said to have been killed in Igbomotoru 2 community”, disclosed a statement in a release from the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Alabrah.
During the visit, Governor Diri also condemned the killing of the soldiers and charged the people, particularly the youths, not to allow themselves to be used as agents of criminality and destabilisation.
He wondered why the impact of an incident that occurred in Delta state should be felt in Igbomotoru community in Bayelsa State.
While warning the youths not to forcefully take over leadership of their communities, he stressee that the era of militancy was over and it was time for intellectual engagement to move the Ijaw nation forward.
To the traditional rulers and other community leaders, he urged them to reside in their domains and warned that any monarch not found in his base stood the risk of being dethroned.
READ ALSO: http://Gunmen abduct two FRSC officers in Ebonyi
Even with reported death of over 20 community folks, Governor Diri commended the Nigerian Army for their show of professionalism in handling the incident at Igbomotoru. He expressed gratitude to the military for their support and cooperation.
Governor Diri continued, “l like to appreciate the military high command for cooperating with us. I came here to tell the people of Igbomotoru not to allow such thing to happen again. Enough is enough.
“The era of militancy is over. It is time for intellectual engagement. Our youths should not be seen and used as cannon fodders.
“This is a warning to all those who offer themselves for nefarious activities to have a rethink. The Prosperity Government has established technical colleges and initiated empowerment programmes for youths to key into to develop themselves.
“It is time for us to engage ourselves intellectually because that is the only route to developing our communities. I want to take roads to communities. That is my priority.
“I feel so sad that rather than keying into what our government is doing, some of our youths are getting involved in unproductive ventures. This is a different era. We cannot go back to the era of Adaka Boro. I am happy that President Bola Tinubu has approved the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road covering the whole coast of Ijaw land.”
He, however, advised the military to painstakingly investigate and unravel those behind the killing of the 17 soldiers for them to face the wrath of the law.
The governor announced the provision of relief materials, including cash, 150 bags of rice and 40 bags of garri to be distributed to the people of both communities.
Governor Diri’s visit which was amidst heavy security, was accompanied to the war torn community by the Commanding Officer 16 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Yenagoa, Brigadier General Oluremi Obolo, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Nibofa Ayawei, Ambassador Boladei Igali and other government officials amidst tight security.
