The governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the people of Igbomotoru 1 and 2 communities in Southern Ijaw local government area to return home, saying the Nigerian Army has assured the state government of their safety.
He stated this Tuesday when he visited the two communities with a high-powered delegation that included the Commander of the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade, Oluremi Obolo, to assess the situation in the area.
Soldiers had been deployed in the communities in search of the masterminds of the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama in Delta state.
Addressing the paramount ruler, chiefs, elders and youth of both communities, Senator Diri condemned the killing of the soldiers and charged the people, particularly the youth, not to allow themselves to be used as agents of criminality and destabilisation.
The Bayelsa governor wondered why the impact of an incident that occurred in Delta should be felt in Igbomotoru.
He warned youth not to forcefully take over leadership of their communities, adding that the era of militancy was over and it was time for intellectual engagement to move the Ijaw nation forward.
The state’s helmsman equally warned traditional rulers and other community leaders to reside in their domains, stressing that any monarch not found in his base stands the risk of being dethroned.
Commending the Nigerian Army for their show of professionalism in handling the incident at Igbomotoru, Diri expressed gratitude to the military for their support and cooperation.
