Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state has called on the people of Igbomotoru 1 and 2 communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area to go back home as the Nigerian Army has assured the state government of their safety,
he stated this on Tuesday on his visit to the two communities with a high-powered delegation that included the commander of the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade, Oluremi Obolo, to assess the situation in the area.
Soldiers had laid siege on the communities searching for the masterminds of the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Delta State.
The governor while talking to the paramount ruler, chiefs, elders and youths of both communities 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 wondering why the indigenes of Igbomotoru should pay for a crime committed in a community in Delta state.
READ ALSO: Diri Endorses Medical Residency Training Bill
The governor admonished the youths against forcefully taking over leadership of their communities as according to him, the era of militancy was over ushering in an era of intellectual engagement to move the Ijaw nation forward, he warned traditional rulers and other community leaders to reside in their communities as any monarch not found in his domain will be dethroned.
Diri commended the Nigerian Army for their show of professionalism in handling the incident at Igbomotoru, while expressed gratitude to the military for their support and cooperation.
READ ALSO: Diri Endorses Medical Residency Training Bill
“I 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.” Governor Diri said.
The State Chief Executive called on the military to vehemently investigate and unravel those behind the killing of the 17 soldiers for them to face the wrath of the law, announcing the provision of relief materials which includes cash, 150 bags of rice and 40 bags of garri to be distributed to the people of the two communities.
