Ijaw Youths Fume As Herdsmen Terrorise Bayelsa
John ODHE, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has called on youths of the Ijaw nation to brace up for the defense of their territory following the recent herdsmen Attacks on Bayelsans.
National Spokesperson of IYC, Ebilade Ekerefe made the call during a sympathy visit to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, were an 18-year old boy, Kohgi Nation and his 58-year old father, Mr. Goodhead Nation, were receiving treatments following deadly attacks on them by unidentified Fulani herders over allege missing cow at Osuan Bush, Otuoke community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
Expressing sadness over the unwarranted incidence, the IYC spokesperson warned that the issue should be treated as an isolated case and should not be swept under the carpet.
His words: “Let me say that this is not the first time the herdsmen incidence has happened. This attack is one too many.
“Considering the mood of the country, the Ijaw youths should not carry out reprisal attack. We do not want to believe that the attack was planned.
“We want to call on security agencies to arrest the culprit. If the culprit is arrested, it will show that it was not planned.
“The Hausa/Fulani community in Bayelsa should show sympathy with the victims by ensuring the culprit is arrested. We don’t want to pre-empt anyone. They should come out to exonerate themselves.
“Ijaw youths should brace up and defend their clans against any form of attacks. The Ijaw Youths should welcome any peace loving people and defend themselves against any form of threats.”
It could be recalled that women farmers of the Epie-Atissa extraction recently embarked on a peaceful protest in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, alleging herdsmen invasion of their farmlands and destruction of their crops by cattles.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State police command has called on Bayelsans to be calm, noting that investigations were on to arrest the culprit and unravel the mystery behind the two victims of herdsmen attacks.
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A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Asinim Butswat reads: “On 20 February, 2021 at about 0800hours, an unknown herder at Osuan Bush, Otuoke Community, Ogbia LGA, assaulted one Kohgi Samuel Nation ‘m’ 18 years and inflicted grievous wounds on his fingers and head, over an allegation of a missing cow.
“The victim was immediately rescued by Police Operatives and is responding to treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
“The commissioner of Police Bayelsa State command, Mike Okoli appeals to members of the public to remain calm as the command is working assiduously to identify the suspected herder and apprehend him.”
