IYC Threatens To Drag FG, Military To Court Over Invasion Of Bayelsa Community

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has threatened to drag the Federal Government and the Nigerian Military to Court over the invasion and burning down of over 50 houses at Toru-Ndoro community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The ministry had reportedly set the houses ablaze during the search for the deceased militant leader, known as Karowei, who was alleged to had beheaded a security operative and killing of four other soldiers.

A statement signed by its President, Eric Omare, the group called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Military to commence the rebuilding of the destroyed community or face a court action from the Ijaw youths and communities.

Omare, in the statement after a meeting with some youth leaders of Toru-Ndoro in Yenagoa, gave the federal government a two week deadline to begin the procedure towards the rebuilding of Toru-Ndoro community and compensate those who suffered losses as a result of the invasion.

He said the IYC would mobilize Ijaw and human right lawyers all over Nigeria to sue the federal government and the Nigerian military to court for the unlawful damage to properties and other damages suffered.

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Omare, a lawyer, further stated that it is illegal and unconstitutional for a community to be burnt down in the name of searching for a suspected criminal.

He said, “There is no law in Nigeria which empowers security agencies to attack and burn down the entire community because of the alleged offences of a few members of the community.”

The IYC leader recalled the several cases of invasion of Ijaw communities by military authorities including Okerenkoko, Ayakoromo, Ajapa, Odi, Ajakuruama and now Toru-Ndoro.

Omare vowed to pursue this case to its logical conclusion including international human right platforms so as to put a stop to the persistent and naked violations of human rights in Ijaw and Niger Delta communities.

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