MILITARY INVASION: RETURN HOME, GOV. DIRI TELLS IGBOMOTORU RESIDENTS

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri says he has the reassurance of the Nigerian Army for safety and has appealed to all residents of Igbomotoru 1 and 2 communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area who fled to return home.

Senator Diri has visited the two communities on Tuesday.

He had visited with a high-powered delegation that included the Commander of the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade, Oluremi Obolo.

They all assess the situation in the area that has soldiers deployed, still in search of the masterminds of the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Delta State.

Governor Diri told the paramount ruler, chiefs, elders and youths of both communities to conduct their activities without fear or intimidation as long as they are law abiding.

Governor Diri who condemned the killing of soldiers, wondered why the impact of an incident that occurred in Delta should be felt in Igbomotoru, Bayelsa State

The governor frown at youths who dare to forcefully take over leadership of their communities and warned against being used as agents of criminality and destabilisation.

The Bayelsa governor commended the Nigerian Army for their show of professionalism in handling the incident at Igbomotoru.

“l 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 who advised the military to thoroughly investigate and unravel those behind the killing of the 17 soldiers for prosecution, announced to provide cash, 150 bags of rice and 40 bags of garri as relief materials to be distributed to the people of both communities.