The Ijaw Youth Council has strongly condemned the deployment of heavy security forces at its emergency conference alleging that security personnel fired directly at members during the gathering.
In a video shared by Viable TV, Comrade Allen Gabriel, Speaker of the IYC recounted the Ordeal emphasizing the bravery of the Ijaw people in the face of intimidation.
“Today, the world will know that I’m Comrade Allen Gabriel, Speaker of the Ijaw Youth Council. You can see that we have shown our bravery. Ijaw people are not cowards,” Gabriel stated.
“We told them that we are having an emergency conference, and we came for that conference. They mobilized over 500 security personnel shooting directly at us. We are not deterred; this is just the beginning.”
The emergency conference was reportedly convened to discuss pressing issues affecting the Ijaw people, including resource control, security concerns, and political representation.
However, the presence of a large contingent of security operatives escalated tensions, leading to what the IYC describes as an attempt to suppress their voices.
Eyewitnesses claim the security forces acted aggressively using live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
There have been no confirmed reports of casualties, but the incident has sparked outrage among community leaders and rights activists.
The IYC has vowed to continue its advocacy despite the confrontation, calling on the government to respect their rights to peaceful assembly and self-determination. They have also demanded an investigation into the actions of the security forces.
As tensions rise, observers are urging dialogue between the government and the Ijaw leadership to prevent further escalation.
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