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Itsekiri Youths Allege Plot for Fresh Mayhem in Warri

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
September 4, 2003
Posted to the web September 4, 2003

By Osaro Okhomina
Warri
THE Itsekiri National Youth council (INYC) has alleged plan by some highly
ranked military officers to assist the Ijaw ethnic militias to cause another
mayhem in Warri, alleging that over 90 speed boats with weapons have been
dispatched to Warri. But the commander of the 7th Amphibious Battalion, Lt.
Col. Gar Dogo said the military is fully alert to rebuff any attack planned by
any group to cause a breakdown of law and order.
The INYC, at a press conference addressed by the chairman and secretary of its
press and Media committee, Mr. Mathew Itsekure and Victor Neburagho
respectively, warned that the Itsekiri were ready to defend themselves and hold
the federal Government responsible for any carnage done by the Ijaw at the
expiration of their threats.
"To make good their promise, they have arranged with serving members of the
Nigeria military that are of Ijaw extraction to give their utmost support by
ensuring that whatever obstacle or hindrance to the planned attack on the
Itsekiri is neutralised.
"As a strategy, they have secured the co-operation of their kith and kin
currently serving in the barracks to ensure that the operating pins of the
armoured tanks are removed to incapacitate them from been operational," they
added.
They pointed out that "although the Joint Security Task Force headed by Major -
General Elias Zamani is expected to completely disallow the Ijaw from tampering
with any structures belonging to the Itsekiri, should this function fail in the
circumstances, we shall hold the federal and especially the state Government
responsible for the action, as we are prepared more than ever before to defend
what legitimately belongs to us."
While pledging their support to the peace initiative by all concerned groups
and Government, the group said that it would not "condone any longer the
criminal and barbaric acts of the Ijaw terrorists.
"We are also aware that over 90 speed boats with sophisticated weapons are
being dispatched from Bayelsa, the sole financier who view that any resistance
to the Ijaw onslaught on the Itsekiri is a complete denial of Yenogoa, the
headquarters of their planned Niger-Delta Republic."
However, Commander of the 7th Army Battalion, Effurun in Warri told Vanguard in
an interview yesterday that "the soldiers on ground are prepared for any attack
by any group. He said "the soldiers are on guard in the various parts in the
city and are not ready to shift ground for any person or groups planning to
break the peace in the city.
" Since we are on ground and they know we are not going anywhere, the people
should be rest assured of their safety. We are human beings like they are and
we don't want anything to happen to the people and our men, we remain on
guard."
On the preparedness of the soldiers in the event of another crisis in Warri,
Lt. Col. Dogo said "we remain on peace keeping mission, that was why we kept
the effort low at all times. You should know that we are dealing with Nigerians
not external invaders."
Meanwhile, as the September 5 ultimatum handed the government by the Ijaw in
Warri draws near, panic has gripped residents of the town as scores of people
have started leaving the town for fear of renewed hostilities.

   

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