The apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation worldwide, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has warned pro-Biafran group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to desist from dragging the Ijaw nation into its alleged plan to attack military formations in Bayelsa and Delta states over the Okuama and Igbomotoru invasion.
The INC handed down the warning while reacting to an alleged plan by the Simon Ekpa-led faction of the IPOB to attack military personnel and declare a sit-at-home in Delta and Bayelsa States over what they termed ‘targeted ethnic’ cleansing in both states by the Army.
Ekpa in a trending video, had directed that all roads leading to Delta and Bayelsa States be shut down to mourn those allegedly killed by the Army at Okuama and Igbomotoru communities in Delta and Bayelsa respectively.
He stated that IPOB will avenge the alleged killing of innocent people of Biafra in the aforementioned states, and declared that nobody in military uniform should be in Biafra region, as they should be considered terrorists.
President of the INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba who spoke with Vanguard on Friday in Yenagoa said there was no time Ijaw ethnic nationality consented to be part of the Biafra Republic and dissociated the Ijaw from the planned attack by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He said the INC had earlier made known its position on the unfortunate incidents that occurred in Okuama, Delta State and the invasion of Igbomotoru in Bayelsa and that the military authorities should be allowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the sordid incidents.
Prof Okaba described as unacceptable the threat by IPOB at this time while efforts are on to unravel the perpetrators.
His words, “The INC has severally condemned the killing of the 17 military officers in Okuama and we have also cautioned the invasion of Okuama and Igbomotoru communities as well as decried the deaths of innocent citizens in these communities. We are particularly concerned about the IPOB reference of these affected communities as part of Biafra and that they are coming to avenge the invasion of these communities because they are part of them.
“We wish to emphasize that these communities are ljaw communities and we dissociate ourselves from the planned attack on the military authorities in the region. This nefarious plan is not in our interest as a people. The ljaw nation has not solicited the support of IPOB and any other group whatsoever to address its cause for self determination. The Federal Government should take serious note of our position and deal decisively with any group that is planning to turn our environment into a battlefield. Finally, we are calling on Ijaw all over to remain calm, vigilant and focused”.
