Ijaw Leaders apologise to Ogun Communities over Militant Attacks

The Leaders of  Ijaw National Congress (INC) yesterday met with traditional rulers and leaders of communities recently affected by attacks carried out by suspected militants in Ogun state to express their sympathies and apologies on behalf of the perpetrators of the dastardly acts.

The meeting which held in Sagamu, THE Ijaw leaders expressed their sadness at the killing of 12 Yoruba villagers by the suspected militants who they referred to as “criminals.”

The Nation stated that the Ijaw leaders also condoled with families who lost their loved ones and property when the suspected militants invaded the communities – Imushin, Elepete, Igbo-Olomu and two others in Ogijo-Sagamu area of Ogun State.

Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council, Chief Francis Dokpola led the delegation of the INC to the palace of Akarigbo of Remoland in Sagamu, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo. He said the suspected militants acted of their own criminal will and were not in any way sent by Ijaw leaders.

The delegation was received at the Akarigbo’s Palace by Oba Sonariwo’s representative, the Odofin of Sanyindo, Oba Samuel Gisanrin; Oba Oladele Dawodu; Onigbepa of Igbepa-Sagamu, Oba Solagbade Tijani, Alado of Ado-Sagamu, Oba Mufutau Adeoye-Sanni, leaders of the Yoruba Unity Forum, led by Mr. Yinka Odumakin and others.

He said those who carried out the attacks on the villagers were bunkerers and criminals, not militants or Ijaw people living peacefully among the Yoruba.

“These Ijaw people have stayed with you for many years. They did not leave the place after the incident. It means they are not the ones that did it.

“Those who carried out the carnage are bunkerers and criminals. Ijaw people could be among them, Igbo could be there and Ghanaian could be part of the criminals,” Dokpola said.

The Ijaw leader who assured that the INC would investigate the incidents and forward its report to the security agencies, added, “We are sorry for what has happened. Our leaders are disturbed; Ijaw people are disturbed.”

Other Ijaw leaders in the delegation include Chairman, Lagos State INC Chief Patrick Keku; Chairman Ijaw Youth Council, Lagos State, Boma Johnbull and leader of Ijaw Monitoring Group, Andrew Elija.