Ijaw youth council wants Buhari to lead Niger Delta peace process

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Friday, condemned the increasing insecurity in the Niger Delta and loss of lives on the part of military and civilians.
The spokesman for IYC, Eric Omare, made the condemnation in a statement released in Yenagoa on Friday.
The statement said insecurity in the region was getting out of control.
The group urged President Muhammadu Buhari to personally take over the Niger Delta peace process to ensure a rapid return of peace.
“IYC notes attacks and killing of soldiers and civilians working in houseboats and attacks on oil facilities in Ogbeinbiri, Bayelsa State and Forcados export line, Delta.
“These are condemnable and regrettable.
“The civilians killed at the houseboat were mainly Ijaw youths including Tombra David Iwoubebi and Anita Demedongha from Odimodi Community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.
“We in strong words condemn this senseless killing of soldiers and civilians that were working in the houseboat.

“We condemn this act of wickedness which would only complicate an already delicate security situation.
“We call for a bi-partisan stakeholders’ effort to bring the fast deteriorating security situation under control.
“The IYC is of the view that to make the process effective and produce the required result, President Buhari must personally take charge and provide leadership,” the group said.
The statement stressed that the situation required the direct intervention of President Buhari.
It added that the events of the last few days had clearly shown that those mandated to lead the peace process have failed to produce the desired result.
The youth group also called on the governors of the Niger Delta states to collaborate and galvanise parties in the region to quickly start the process to return peace to the Niger Delta.
It called on political leaders to rise above party and political affiliation to save the Niger Delta as well as the Nigerian economy from total collapse.
“The events that are happening in the region pose serious economic, environmental and security challenges to the entire nation.
“On the part of the IYC, we reiterate our readiness to work with relevant stakeholders to return peace to the Niger Delta while at the same time addressing issues affecting the region.
“The IYC also passionately call on the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups and individuals to give peace a chance.
“Violence has never solved problems anywhere in the world.
“The federal, state governments and stakeholders in the Niger Delta should be given the opportunity to look at the issues at stake.
“We strongly feel that the continuous bombing of oil facilities and killings is not in the interest of the Niger Delta and people.
“Aggrieved groups must give peace a chance,” it added.