Ijaw Youths Attack NDDC

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
January 5, 2004
Posted to the web January 5, 2004

By Onwuka Nzeshi
Warri
The operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Delta State
came under threat during the Christmas holidays following an attack and
vandalisation of the commission's base in Warri, by armed youths suspected to
be of Ijaw extraction.
Sources at the base disclosed that about 30 militants identified as indigenes
of Gbaramatu clan stormed the state office on the eve of the new year,
overpowered the securitymen on duty and vandalised the entire duplex housing
the commission.
THISDAY checks revealed that apart from several moveable items, the invaders
forcefully took away a white coloured Toyota Hilux van, one of the operational
vehicles in the commission's fleet.
This came on the heels of a similar raid last June of another company, also in
Warri, during which two brand new 85 horse power outboard boat engines valued
at about N3 million were carted away.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the youths involved were protesting
some perceived marginalisation of their communities which they claimed produced
the bulk of the oil derived from Delta State but had nothing commensurate, in
terms of social amenities, to show for their contributions to the nation's
wealth.
Sources at the commission's base however, debunked such claims, insisting that
Gbaramatu clan in Warri South-west council has had its fair share of political
appointments and development projects in the present dispensation.
Although the Delta State Representative on the NDDC board, Professor Victor
Peretomode could not be reached for his comments on the situation, THISDAY
learnt that the Police Command in the area had already swung into action to
unmask the culprits and bring them to book to serve as deterrent to other
ethnic groups who may wish to indulge in similar acts.

   

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