LAGOS JULY 5TH (URHOBOTODAY) – The death toll from the attack by Ijaw youths on Itshekiri communities in Warri North Local Government Area has risen as sources said about 13 persons have been confirmed killed in the attack. The revelation came as more corpses in addition to the earlier four reported had been retrieved from the bushes around the burnt down houses near the port town of Koko.
Delta State 2015 Govership Candidate hopeful Chief Godswill Obielum has appealed to both warring parties to shield their sword and let peace reign.
A source listed the victims allegedly mowed down by the bullet of the militant group, Egbema Radical Group, to include an infant, two brothers, a couple and a aged man.
However, the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), Chairman, Hon David Tonwe,while addressing his kinsmen who thronged his home in Warri, said they will not retaliate the attack.
“I appeal to you (youths) not to be used for crisis; we are not prepared to fight.
“We have lost 13 of our brothers and sisters; let’s all ensure that it does not escalate.
“We have just come out from crisis (referring to the Ijaw/Itsekiri crisis) and we are not prepared to take that road again. Nobody who witnessed that crisis would encourage what just happened.
“So, I want to appeal to everybody to remain calm and hope that the law will take its course,” Tonwe said.
In his remarks on the development, President of National Association of Itsekiri Graduate (NAIG), Ms. Alero Tema, said the youth groups were pained by the latest carnage in the area.
He however commended Tonwe and other members of INYC for their proactive steps in dealing with the crisis.
Tonwe, who was a former Chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area , said the incident was an indication that some persons were still in possession of arms and ammunition in the area in spite of the Federal Government’s amnesty programme.
He said since the incident, he had received assurance from notable Ijaw leaders in the area that they are not in support of the dastardly attacks, adding, “This is not about all Ijaws, it is just some criminals who want to cause another crisis.”
He therefore appealed to security agencies to fish out the perpetrators in other to assuage the pains of those who lost loved ones as well as to discourage others who may want to engage in criminality.
In another development, People Democratic Party(PDP) Governorship Hopeful and Philanthropist,Chief Godswill Obielum has called on I jaws and itsekiris of warri north to give peace a chance and desist from anything that would turn the hand of clock and erode the gains of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan peace and developmental stride under the the points agenda.
“I appeal to our Ijaw and Itsekiri brothers and sisters to close rank and maintain the peace in order to avoid unnecessary loss of life’s and properties. We condemn in the strictest term the dastardly killing of innocent persons and destruction of properties in Warri North local government,” Obielum who the Itsekiri have just declared their support for come 2015 Delta State Governorship election appealed.
While commending the state Governor for the proactive step he has taken so far to avert crises, the philanthropist and business magnet called on the security operatives to redouble their effort in maintaining the hard earned peace.
“My prayers and that of my family are with those who lost their beloved ones and properties in the unfortunate incident,” Obielum said.